Medical Funds to keep afloat
Right so, from the top, this has been my trip for the last year and why i am here, reaching out to you all -
November, 2015 - I had just been excepted a job getting into the mines and working for my step-father (Paul). Getting into the mines requires a Coal Board Medical Examination, which i had done. in the tests, they found anomalies in my urine test. After seeing a GP i had a referral to a Kidney Specialist (Nephrologist).
December, 2015 - After a few more tests, i was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis (Tongue-twister right?).
January, 2016 - Got clearance and soon got started into training with step father hooray!
March, 2016 - Was loving the job but, the mines being cut-throat, i was let go due to not being trained quick enough (not factoring the 2 months i lost to get clearance)
April, 2016 - Managed to pick up Casual but unsteady work back at my previous job with Pedders at a new store local to me.
June, 2016 - Dooms day. i had noticed changes happening to my left testicle and immediately had my GP inspect, they had recommended scans done, little did i know what the road ahead had planned for me. Within a few weeks i had seen a Urology specialist who gave me the news - I had Testicular Cancer. unsure of how aggressive it was or how far it has travelled, immediate surgery was required.
July, 2016 - Next thing i know, i had just have had my Left Testicle Removed (Orchidectomy) and recovering, doctors had informed me it was successful.
August, 2016 - We were informed the Cancer was of an aggressive kind (Embryonal Carcinoma PT2NX) and that, very close observation is required which meant, alot of scans and tests ahead for Oncology which also meant, frequent check-ups post surgery.
September, 2016 - Wind forward a little and have had Numerous appointments with the Nephrologists having to get testing done to have clearance for Chemotherapy which was on the cards as a possibility, yep you read it.
October, 2016 - Finally had finished up with Nephrology with a final diagnose for my condition (glomerulonephritis), it is called Berger's Disease or, IGA Nephropathy - Genetic disorder with my Anti-Bodies to put simply. More tests done for Oncology as well.
November 2016 - Oncology had informed me that my Lymphatic Node nearest to my groin has inflamed which means one of two possibilities - 1. Chemotherapy or 2. Surgical removal of the node. having to go in for a PET scan very shortly.
Reason why i explained all of this first? its to give an idea of just how much time i have given up to get all of this done. in doing so, i am not able to gain any Full/Part-Time employment, my current employer is only able to give me little hours per week due to the time i require for the hospital visits and tests/scans they require and the work load is simply not there to sustain many hours.
All in all, this has caused a huge landslide with both me and my partners financial standing, my partner in the photo has been with me for 10 years now and i am not able to show her the anniversary i wanted to give her due to my medical findings which frankly, really sucks.
She has been the backbone in keeping us afloat financially and me emotionally through this hole ordeal but, it has gotten to the point now that we cannot sustain ourselves with me not being able to work anywhere near as much as i would need to.
I plead my case to you all, i only ask of these funds only to cover medical costs which covers our transport costs, medical priscriptions i require, groceries and utilities to cover for both of us.
even getting only a portion to the goal would mean the absolute world to us just to get us by through the ordeal we still face.
To anybody who does donate, i hope one day Karma will make its way back to you, one way or another.
12/11/16 update:
Had a PET Scan done on Wednesday due to oncology being suspicious of an inflamed lymph node from a previous CT scan, had the appointment back with oncology yesterday - The cancer has come back, the diseased cells have travelled up my aorta and infected several lymph nodes as far as my kidneys.
So, they have opted for Chemotherapy as soon as the following week (21/11/16), they cannot do radiation normally due to my Kidney condition as so, they have to take extra precautions when doing the therapy.
Therapy is 12 weeks, once a week every 3 weeks for 5 days at a time at Redcliffe hospital, treatment usually would only last for a couple of hours but, again, due to my Kidney condition, they have to keep my fluids up and keep me in for longer.
18/11/16 Update:
So we had the Chemotherapy Education day today, a load more of information to try and swallow... Especially all of the additions that could come with having chemo such as being sick, lack of immune system, fatigue, etc, etc. Still is being so much to try and take in but, i managed to get a peak of my last PET scan and yeah, the Lymphatic Node nearest to my left kidney is inflammed enough to almost be half of my kidney in size.
Well, this will be the last update before starting the chemo so, we shall see how we go! Again thamkyou to everybody who has donated, shared, even spoken about it!
21/12/16 update:
Had a little scare this week going into hospital on Monday, had a little collapse and ended up having to stay in for observation and still am now. Basically trying to recover before Christmas gets here.
Good news hopefully is, I'll be out today! Fingers crossed!
On the financial side, we are doing ok, the amazing donations from you all have kepted us afloat this far!
Let's hope we can finish these hopsital trips and I can get working again!
31/01/17 update:
Well, wow. What a last month and a half it has been.
So, start off with getting out of hospital, managed to fly up to Rockhampton for Christmas to be with family, was quite nerve racking considering I crashed not long before. Had a fabulous time! Got to set off fireworks for the first time thanks to my brother! Flight back just after New Years went smooth sailing.
Round 2 of chemo and I crashed again, this time going up in the elevator in Redcliffe hospital, was on my way up on the Monday to begin the round. I was dehydrated which wasnt a good start a just had my bloods done which had a contributing factor. Blood pressure fell 60 over 30 and was in and out of conscious. Was in hospital under observation for 5 days until my kidneys recovered which they also crashed from my trip in the elevator.
Round 3 of chemo and this time round, they had me under observation during my treatment to make sure everything goes smoothly, which it did but, the following week, I crashed in our local shopping centre. This time, I passed out and began convulsing, thank God my partner Rhiannon was with me to slap me out of it (she secretly enjoyed it). Even got to have my first Ambulance ride as well, my health dropped so far that, I had to be put into Isolation due to the highest risk of infections.
Was in there for 5 days again and was released last Friday 27th, still struggling with this heat but, on the way up hopefully. I have to keep myself isolated here at home to make sure I don't have another trip to ED again.
Thankyou so much for the on going support and all of my B.A Boys for reaching out!!! DDTB
