Quality of life thanks to research.

Darryn Johnston otherwise known as DJ is a well-known member of the Port Lincoln Community. Darryn’s Family moved in 1978 to the Eyre Peninsula and he grew up in the rural district of Cleve. He completing schooling in 1983 at Cleve Area School by doing the year 11 and 12 Certificate in Agriculture course. DJ married Leanne in 1992 and live in Port Lincoln with 4 children; Rachel (24) married to Morne Naicker with Ezra (6 months), James (21), Caleb (19) and Joshua (16).

After schooling DJ completed a Motor Mechanic Apprenticeship at Cleve, and then in 2006 he graduated from a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture which he studied by distance education through Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga campus.

This led DJ to join Elders Rural Services in 2006 as Merchandise Manager in Port Lincoln. In 2008 Elders gave him the opportunity to train and start a career in rural real estate in which he now enjoys serving the farming families and communities of Eyre Peninsula by assisting them to list and sell rural properties.

DJ has also been a Member, Premiership player and Coach of the Wayback Football club for many years and is a strong supporter of Junior Football in the PLFL. Coaching Kinlough Cup and Representative sides for Lincoln City. DJ also volunteers his time to goal umpiring for the PLFL.

When the harrowing words of neuroendocrine cancer hit Port Lincoln father of four DJ, he immediately thought of his brother, who’d died 26 years earlier within only three months of a bowel cancer diagnosis.

Fortunately, though, thanks to medical advancements, DJ’s outlook has been much brighter, and a day doesn’t go by where he doesn’t give thanks to research.

“My quality of life now, is a result of the 25+ years of research in this area,” DJ said.

“I think we need to be grateful for medical research, in this state in particular. I know people have lost their lives from neuroendocrine cancer, but I also know people have had longevity and better quality of life – and I’m one of them.”

DJ’s journey started in October 2018, when ongoing pain in his stomach was eventually found to be a neuroendocrine tumour.

He was put on Lanreotide injections every three weeks and had surgery to remove the primary tumour, before later being referred to the Nuclear Medicine team at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) for innovative Lutate radiotherapy.

“Lutate was very well explained to me, it’s a targeted cell therapy so it only affects the damaged cells,” Dj said.

“Having lost a brother 24 years ago to cancer, I remember what he went through. At the time, there was only really the common chemo and it really knocked his immune system out, whereas mine is targeted cell therapy.

In 2020 “I had four lots of treatment, which is the maximum they’d give me. The first one went really well, but the second one I had quite a bit of sickness and I was knocked out for three weeks on the couch.

“After that second treatment I’d better prepared myself for the third and the fourth ones, and we got through them. It’s mainly nausea that I struggle with, but I had some drugs to help me manage that.

“Once I finished the treatment, it was around the 8-10 week mark afterwards that I started to get more strength, I wasn’t as lethargic and felt a lot better.

“And here I am, about 12 months since I had it, and I’m functioning quite well. Work’s gone on, I haven’t had much time off at all really.”

The roller coaster journey experienced by DJ and his wife Leanne has now been punctuated by the birth of their first grandchild in March 2021!

“I’m a grandad for the first time, which is pretty special! I think since this diagnosis we’ve taken a fairly positive look at life and just been grateful for the time we’ve had here.

“All the specialists we’ve seen, they’ve been fantastic with communication and providing options to help find the right treatment for me. We feel very well supported.”

We have been well supported by The Hospital Research Foundation’s Under Our Roof accommodation, which they stayed in when travelling to Adelaide for the Lutate treatment.

“NET nurse Jess organised the wonderful accommodation at Under Our Roof for the third and fourth treatments, which was absolutely brilliant,” Leanne said.

“It was so convenient and close to the hospital. It was modern and fresh and there was plenty of space.

“With DJ’s treatment, we weren’t allowed to be too close to one another, and the house had two living areas and two bathrooms so that was absolutely brilliant. We’re so appreciative of that.”

“It was such a privilege to meet Professor Tim Price (Head Oncologist at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital) and see everything he’s done in this field of work, he’s really trying to solve the puzzle for people by looking at different trials. And Dr Gabby Cehic and NET nurse Jess – they’re all fantastic.

“All the research that’s gone before, I’m the recipient of, and my journey has been a very positive experience so far. I feel a tremendous sense of gratitude for the medical researchers that have developed the latest treatment for Neuroendocrine patients. The TQEH team are a wonderful bunch of people that have given me hope through my heath journey to enjoy a better quality of life”.

In June 2021 I was faced with another daunting challenge of an active change in the tumours on my liver and further complications the cancer has spread to my right pelvic hip bone. This has started another endless round of doctor appointment and specialist’s consultation to first manage pain and further treatment.

It was decided by my oncology team of specialist under direction of Professor Tim Price at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville North be treated with a procedure called Trans Arterial Chemo Emmobilization (T.A.C.E.). I had this done successfully in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital radiology unit on Friday 30th July 2021. The treatment was very painful, and the recovery was 12 days in hospital with endless scans, blood test, pain relief, etc.

Thankfully I have now come through this and have been recuperating at home to strengthen what my body has had to endure.

Leanne and I have enjoyed great support from our families and in particular all 4 children who are all independent but Josh our youngest (16). We also rely on our close friends in the community, our faith community of friends at the Baptist Church and the Wayback Football club who we have been apart of since the early 1990’s.

Any trauma in life requires a wide healing process and DJ, Leanne & family see the importance of being a part of community groups/clubs to face all of life’s challenges.

We continue to be a part of these groups/club in every capacity we can to give something back and it helps the healing process on many levels (Physically, Emotionally, Mentally & Spiritually).

DJ is an inspiration to so many:

In DJ’s words, “This is not the best news but I’m up for the challenge, it’s like kicking into the wind when we are 3 goals down. I have awesome support from my wife along with my family and close friends who have been a wonderful support through this season of my life.

The Wayback Football club community would like to get behind DJ and Leanne and help to make the days ahead a little brighter. Please join us in supporting DJ, a strong, committed and dedicated family and community man, who has given so much to others. DJ is an inspiration to us all. A Wayback club legend!