MASSIVE MONTH OF JULY.....

A lot has happened this month. We celebrated our middle child, Kalita’s 5th birthday. It was brilliant and the smile on her face was priceless. As I have always said to be here for milestones and my children’s/wife’s birthdays are always a time to cherish.

Biggest Smile. 

Elsa Cake by Lisa Carnell. 

Cake and our gorgeous 5 year old

Kalita in her Ana dress up

Lisa did an amazing job with the cakes and decorations. Celebrating the day with family and friends is always enjoyable. Special moments need to be treasured.

The month of July also saw two mates (Jay Allen and Andrew Rust) of mine walk from Sydney to Melbourne 900km to raise money and awareness for Melanoma…….and they did this with ease. Their last leg of the walk was onto the MCG at quarter time of the Hawks V Swans game. As a Hawks supporter it was always on my calendar to attend and support the boys walk……The hawks won and I attended the game with my dad who has been an amazing support to Lisa, the girls and I. Lovely to spend this quality time with dad. Even though dad is a swans supporter and the loss for him was tough…..I didn’t rub it in. Kept quiet the whole time. Hopefully the Hawks can go back to back in 2014.

Boys Walking into Peter Mac Cancer centre

Sharing my journey at Peter Mac

Back to the 900km walkers their aim was to raise $100 000…….achieved this with a generous number of donations hitting the total of $150 000….. all funds will go towards Melanoma Research at the Melanoma Institute Australia….. focusing on Brain Metastases.  Prior to the walk into the MCG we had an event at Peter Mac Cancer centre to celebrate the boys achievements……I was invited to speak at this event, an honour to say the least.

The following day I met the boys at SEN sports central Radio show to have a half an hour live interview with host Brett Philips. The podcast is here for those who would like to listen.

Jay Allen, Andrew Rust, Brett Phillips and Myself

 

 

These inspiring guys and their efforts will be something I will always remember and cherish, Both cancer survivors …… My girls came the event and listened intently to the boys and my talk also…….I was anxious about this…..not with speaking in public part, but with what questions the girls will have about Cancer and Melanoma……they are still unaware of my illness. To my surprise they asked questions that really gave them a better understanding of what Melanoma is and what the event was about.  

Cancer has given me an opportunity to connect with many people and I have always said that it has allowed me to embrace the disease in a positive way and challenge myself to give back to those who are suffering.

SURGERY NUMBER 5 OVER THE PAST 18 months: 

In my last blog entry I had scans that still showed a tumour left in my chest area between the right lung and the ribs this has been there since October 2012 and slowly growing…..I also mentioned that my oncologist was looking into radiation or surgery……. By the end of July it was decided that I would have surgery……I am now recovering from Keyhole surgery that deflated my lung and allowed the surgeon to use a camera and a burning/cutting instrument to remove the last tumour. 

I went in on Friday 1^st August and had the tumour removed. I have added some photos and I will warn you they are graphic.

I received this image via an anonymous

Selfie

Drain Tube or Hose that was in my chest area.
The clear tube was inside me. 

My weekend recovery was short……the drain tube or should I say hose was removed on the Sunday and I was then released later this day. The image above shows the clear part of the hose that was inside my chest area …… To go home to my gorgeous girls was a relief….the short stay was a lot easier on Lisa and left me with the comfort of knowing it was less stress for all

I will say that my two weeks off work will be needed. I am really sore and finding it hard to sleep with comfort…… My chest areas feels like it has been ripped apart. The tumour has been removed and without a scan, declares me disease free. I am over the moon with this news. Cancer is not over….but a step in the right direction and I will take each challenge that may be ahead of me. This surgery has clearly left me off the bike for a while which will hurt even more…..Prior to surgery I was smashing the K’s and hills to get myself super fit for surgery. I was averaging 200km a week and climbing an average of about 1800m a week. This time off will give Matty time to get fit and recover from some heavy rides we have had.

All is well….I will be back to work soon and on the bike sooner rather than later. Time and patients is needed. Having time at home is a huge bonus…… time to do school and kinder pick ups and drop offs…. see the girls at gymnastics and swimming.

In the coming month I have a couple of presentations to do with Education groups and a cancer event. I have been invited to present my story to the Diamond Valley Sporting Centre and I am thrilled to do this…..as well as talk to my old Footy Club and the players about Finals footy.

Promotional Poster I had nothing to do with.
Tour De Cure Crew should be happy with the promotion. 

Hope everyone is well.

REMEMBER TO HUG YOUR LOVED ONE'S XXX

Race Day.....

 Race time.

About a week ago I had my first competitive Duathlon race (5km run, 26km ride, 3km run) my good mate, Matthew Collins and I entered this event. It was something that I wanted to see if I could do this and complete.

I got back to running about a month ago. Trying my hardest to get the running fitness up in this time. I knew my bike leg would be fine. My strength and bike fitness was most likely at its best. Matty and I were clocking up some km’s hitting some big long rides in the past two months.

OUR DRIVE.  

I was feeling fit…….in between entering and the race I was due for scans and results after the race. I had scans the Friday before the race……I was feeling fine and not expecting any negative news. The training and focus on the race was a very good distraction. I did my usual week of scanaxiety moments…….annoying Lisa with…..’Can you feel this lump’…….. ‘do you think this cough I have is tumour related?’.......I have no idea how she puts up with my moods and anxiety levels during scan week…….I need to realize while I am working full time, keeping fit, healthy, have no night sweats or weight loss then I should see myself as in a good shape that I need to see positivity and relax with my scans…….BUT A PERSON WITH CANCER OR MELANOMA CAN’T DO THIS……..Those who know this feeling and can relate to this will know what I am talking about.

Anyway, scans done…..focus on the race…….Sunday came and  I was pumped to be competing again…..set the gear out in transition ready to go. I was nervous but not scan nervous…….for the first time since 2011 I was race nervous.  Matty was doing his best to distract my mind…..but to no avail. I lined up and hit the pace when the gun went…….I was third into the first 1km and was pushing hard, but felt good…..5km done in 20min 47sec…..very happy with this time and my effort.

Third onto the bike and was feeling good…….. just waiting for Matty to pass me on his TimeTrial (TT) bike…….. ‘yes he had gone all out’…..ZIPP racing wheels….TT bike…. The only thing missing was his ‘Tear Drop’ aero helmet. He caught the second place athlete and I within the 5km of the bike leg. I sat on his wheel for little while…… trash talking him, what mates do!

Eventually he decided it was too dangerous for three guys to be taking turns to push the course. He kindly dropped the pace and fell off for a little while. We came into transition…..I was second off the bike…..got the runners on and started running, with my helmet on……rookie error. Instead of taking it off and throwing it……I ran back the 50m to drop it. By this time Matty had ran past….. trash talking me…….The end result Matty 2^nd, 3^rd for me and something I am very happy about.

We headed home….Matty  driving and thankfully modest in his effort in beating my by 30seconds……I got home and this is where I felt things change……given all my cranial surgeries…..I started to feel very ordinary….my head was hurting and I was feeling spaced out and unable to see accurately……My world felt like it was going to go pear shape….I was stressed. I decided to lie down and rest. This resulted in me falling asleep for a few hours. I think I needed it.

Nothing was concerning and all turned out ok…..but what I learned from this is that I am fit and able to race and be competitive, however, my brain is not ready and I have decided to give up the running again and will no longer run…..just keep my cycling going…… which has no effect on my head…..I will enter some crit bike races.

My competitive nature won’t go away and I will fight to keep racing but in another format. This goes for Melanoma….this race will be won and my reward will be beating this beast to see my girls grow up and spend many days, months and years with my best friend and love of my life…..Lisa.

I achieved one goal for this year to race my two passions cycling and running. 

My other goals are slowing being ticked off….they will be achieved!!!

ONCOLOGIST: 

Monday came and I went to the oncologist for my results ….. news was good….. I have added the report as an image for people to see what a Melanoma Patient may go through every month or three months depending on the scan time.

In short my results presented with no new tumours and my head was clear of tumours, just scar tissue explaining my head reaction the day before.

The small lymph node that is behind my lungs has grown 0.8cm one way and 0.2cm the other way….my oncologist isn’t concerned and thinks the drug Dabrafanib drug is working really well, but we are going to review this in 4 weeks time when he looks over my scans from the past 12 months. If he feels it is worth acting on then I’ll have a hit of radiation to get this spot gone…..as I have said many times I don’t even know it is there.

Chances like racing and doing what I can do day in and day out are constant motivating moments that make me marvel at the life I have……. If you had of told me in October 2012 that I would have placed 3^rd in a duathlon in 2014 or even be working full time, cycling 180km a week……I would’ve have laughed in your face, I was unable to walk, communicate, or function as a normal then 37 YO male…….but it is cancer that I am laughing at……..I am not being complacent or relaxed I am being me and getting everything I used to do back into my life…..keeping things normal.

Lisa is back running and keeping busy….the girls are great and I am looking forward to spending the next two weeks off work with school holidays doing many things with them……

Also another important matter my AFL team the Mighty Hawks are going well. Sitting second on the ladder and looking ok for the seasons end. 

Short Clip of my Girls and their friends singing in the 

car to Frozen. Moments like these are enjoyable and I love these times (flash driven so might not play on an iPad). 

My friend who was diagnosed with cancer a month ago and someone I have been visiting whilst they were in hospital is doing extremely well……it has been great to be able to share my experiences with cancer and guiding this person through what is a challenging time for her and her young family….. Keep on fighting!

Don't forget to donate to my mates Jay Allen and Andrew Rust's Melanoma Fundraiser. They are walking 900km from Sydney to Melbourne in July link is here. 900km walk

REMEMBER TO HUG YOUR LOVED ONE'S XXX

Time to reflect.....

Many times in your life you have times to reflect, but how often do we stop and really reflect?

Autumn has passed and we head towards winter…..cold, wet and many moments of feeling the chills in our bones……. Those who don’t like the cold will head north and find warmth. But for those who stick it out, warm up with: soups, open fires, blankets, heating, hot drinks, coffee and even food.

Question: 

Did you look back and reflect on the beauty that autumn brings?

I did and this it was amazing……riding in the early hours of the morning I would stop and look at the deciduous trees shedding their autumn burnt orange leaves and the site of a brisk sunrise, fog rolling over the hills as I ascend a climb……We need to stop breathe and admire the surroundings. These moments I see and I am very grateful for being here to enjoy and see life in a beautiful way.

On one of my recent rides with Matty we hit some hills and rather big climbs………Once we caught our breath, we saw to the distance rain coming…..but in this misty rain was a magical rainbow (as you can see from the image). We both stopped and savored the moment, took a photo and admired what amazing surroundings we have. I will admit, seeing this rainbow made me reflect and think of Scott De Young and his family.

Seeking warmth this winter is around you….hug your children, husband or wife and family. This is the best warmth of all……my girls hugs when I come home from work or as they go to bed, make me realize I am here for a long time…….Lisa’s hugs are the one’s that warm my heart forever!

Zahlia, our youngest, had her 3^rd birthday back in May, a Peppa Pig party……Lisa, as usual created an amazing Peppa Pig cake and platter of cupcakes and sweets (images below)…. Zahlia had an amazing day. Her big sisters were great, helped unwrap presents, made Zahlia feel very special. Another moment in my journey, I am very happy to be around for…… time with family in these moments and milestones are special.

Birthday Girl

My gorgeous Girls.

I'm a lucky man.

WORK.....

I have been busy……I am working hard at school. It is report writing time at the moment…..I have also been working outside school pursuing my passion with iPads and Education. I was fortunate enough to represent my school and Apple by presenting at the Doncaster Apple Store (images below) in an iPad Assessment/Learning workshop. By the way all the jokes about the pants I am wearing in the photo have all been used….so don’t bother…. I also worked with Pearson Education and hosted a two Webinars on Assessment Apps and Learning…..again opportunities I am jumping at.

My health is good….my recent blood tests came back ticking all the right boxes. I am feeling great….still cycling a lot, around 180km a week, hitting the gym and I even got back running again doing around 5km a week….just keeping fit and healthy.

Matty and I are planning to race a few Duathlons soon… these are: Run, Bike, Run…..I’ll keep you all posted on our efforts.

Lisa is back treating again and trying her hardest to run...but not luck. She's going to the gym, swimming and walking a lot. 

I have scans in three weeks time…..at the moment I am not that nervous…..but  I am sure I will be the week leading up to them.

People whom I bump into often ask me, 'how do you manage to keep so active and not tire?'

I truly believe positive attitude/mindset and focus is the answer to everything…..and if you really want something that bad you will work hard to keep it…..I want to live, beat Melanoma, see my girls grow up and be with my best friend, my wife, for a long time…..this means living healthy and being fit/active.

This also brings me to a friend of mine who has a troubling health situation at the moment……my message to this person is….. stay positive, fight and enjoy everything around you.

The message for everyone else is enjoy what is around you. See the beauty in your day……. During this winter and the cold days/months……seek warmth from those close to you.

Remember to hug your loved one's XXX

TOUGH MONTH.

It has been an interesting and challenging Month. Mother’s Day was a special day/weekend. I spent the Saturday before Mother’s Day with my mum having a wonderful family dinner at our place. My mum has worked most Mother’s Days, and seeing her on Mother’s Day is sometimes challenging. This year I was keen to have the family over on the Saturday to spend time with mum. Mum, like most mothers’, is the support in the family. She has sacrificed so much for us and has been an amazing support to the family. It was wonderful to spend this time with her.

Lisa had a sensational Mother’s Day also. The girls spoiled her and we spent the morning walking our wonderful, beautiful and spectacular suburb, following the Yarra River that peacefully runs along the bottom of our street. It was a beautiful morning and this made the time together even more special. It isn’t until you take the time to look around and see the beauty around us…..something people do need to take more time to do.

I was also lucky enough to have flown up to Sydney in April to visit the Australian Melanoma Institute. It was an opportunity to tour this incredible facility, which made me very envious and in admiration of what was in this place and how much work is being done in the research and treatment of Melanoma. It is a groundbreaking place and I wished Melbourne had something similar and as advanced.

In my journey with Melanoma, I have met some inspiring and motivated people who have either suffered or are suffering from this insidious disease. The Melanoma Support Group has been a place that has opened the avenues for me to meet many motivated and positive people…….fighters like Elise Beaton and her husband Jason. Elise is stage 4 fighter and was diagnosed when she was pregnant to her second child. She is someone who is fit, healthy and very positive. As a person she is amazing and as a mother I am sure she is an inspiration to her children. Jason is her support and the two are so motivated and focused on moving forward and enjoying life. Others in the group are also fighters and inspiring in how they tackle their scans and a life with this disease.

This brings me to the most inspiring and toughest person I have ever known….. Scott De Young, sadly lost his battle with Melanoma about a week and half ago. Elise, Jason, Lisa and I attended the service and we were all emotionally moved. It was a fitting tribute to a sensational and tough man. His battle was a roller coaster of up’s and down’s, but the whole time he never complained and fought hard……in his words, ‘Whatever it Takes’. He has left behind a legacy, by having the his fight he took head on to be given the Yervoy drug…..his fight has seen the drug placed onto the PBS and this has opened up the treatment in Australia for many late Stage 4 fighters. More importantly he leaves behind a wonderful wife and three beautiful children. Kim is a remarkable woman who has been a huge support and positive force in Scott’s fight. Meeting Kim and Scott has given, Lisa and I an even more positive focus on fighting hard, ‘Whatever it Takes’. We are here now to support Kim and the family.

Scott and Kim. 

My work is extremely busy and now it is report writing time therefore it is only going to become even more hectic. I have been exploring my passion of E-Learning. I am pursuing further with this professional part of my life……In the next few months I will be hosting iPad based Webinars for an education consultancy company. I am also presenting at a couple of conferences…….this is exciting and another step forward for me to ensure my life is as normal and can be…….and not associated as someone who has Cancer. 


My class working on some iPad work I have created. My Passions. 

Lisa is great, however very frustrated as she is still injured and unable to run therefore, gym and swimming are her only ways she can exercise. Her work is also going well and being a mum is always busy.

The girls are fun and like Lisa busy with school, kinder, gymnastics, swimming, kids parties and general life. The small things I love doing with the girls are always treasured moments. Spending time having our regular Saturday milkshakes are moments that we look forward too along with our usual Saturday morning Pancakes. Treasuring these moments are parts of my life that I lock away and keep forever…….and make me appreciate life, setting my state of mind to being here for a ‘long time’. We all should enjoy every moment we have and savor these snippets of life for your personal satisfaction.

My love of cycling has maintained and I am still riding around 200km a week….. and loving it. My mate and training partner has been assisting where possible. He has had some days where he has missed a ride or two……I enjoy our rides and the fitness I have gained from cycling……I must say I am keen to get into a race or two soon…..its a matter of when and finding the time.

As for my health and scans…….the body is great I am fit and feeling amazing. My bloods have been outstanding and I am due for scans in about a month…..I am out to three monthly scans now and for me this is nervous times…..but also rewarding because it means things are going well.

I have always said that cancer has opened many windows for me…….I have been approached to speak at a community forum in the Greensborough area on Men’s Health, fitness and resilience (basically telling my story). Opportunities like these I really enjoy and embrace.

Overall, life is fantastic and I am forever grateful for what is happening to me and how good I am feeling…… I am working full time, presenting at conferences, training hard, being a dad, husband, brother, uncle, son, friend and teacher. At the same time embracing Melanoma as something that is there….but not there….if that makes sense.

Thoughts are also with a close friend who is going through a tough time. Thinking of her. 

Love to all and Remember to hug your loved one's. x x