This document summarizes a man's journey since being diagnosed with Stage 3A melanoma cancer in April 2012. It describes his active lifestyle before the diagnosis, undergoing lymph node removal and finding a tumor. In October 2012 scans found two brain tumors, leading to brain tumor removal and treatment. He was later found to have a 5cm tumor in his abdomen. His goals of spending Christmas with his family and seeing his children start school were achievements. Despite ongoing treatment and scans, he has raised money for cancer research through fundraising rides and events. His journey continues with determination and support from family.

1. Hope
The Journey so far.

2. melanoma- Surely not
me!
April 2012, I came back from a ride
and had a sore left underarm. When
I placed my hand there to I felt a
lump and was hoping it was an
infection. Went to the doctor and
she sent me off to have a biopsy.

3. Life before
enjoyed racing and training
hard riding an averaging
200+km a week and 25km
Running a week.

4. lymph node removal
Never thought I’d be the one in a
hospital having Cancer removed
from their body. I was in the best
fitness condition and thought my
health was perfect.
I had 17 Lymph Nodes removed,
with only one that was infected with
Melanoma. This meant I didn’t need
treatment. However I was still
Diagnosed Stage 3A Melanoma-
Cancer. This is were I felt I had
escaped the disease you don’t want -
Melanoma.

5. Home after
three days in
Hospital
These beautiful girls and my
wife are my hope and fight
to keep living they keep me
going everyday.

6. • The follow up from April to October
was blood tests and Oncologist every 6
weeks.
• Scans every 8 weeks followed by
Oncologist appointment.
• Had many scans between April and
October and all came back clear.
• Heading into an MRI Room is the most
nerve racking experience. Like sitting
an exam.

7. OCTOBER 2012
6 months since being
told I had Stage 3a
Melanoma-cancer.

8. October, I was due for my
6 month scan and this was
a milestone that my wife
and i were aiming for. I felt
great and was running,
riding extremely well,
training for the 120km
granfondo race with Cycle
club. Scan time:-headed to
the Epworth for scans. i
was confident and hoping
all was ok. It’s like you
have no control of the
situation.

9. THE NEWS
that changed
our lives
forever
two of four brain tumours

10. My home for
the next
month
one of the hardest
part of all this was
missing my family.

11. Stage 4 Cancer - The Brain
tumour was removed and
treatment followed.
My Hope and determination to
heal and move on with life was
tested one more time. I headed
home after a month in hospital I
was home for 10 days and pain
in my abdominal area sent me
back to the hospital. two more
weeks with a huge 5cm tumour
being removed from my
abdomen.

12. Christmas-
family and that’s all that
matters. Being here for
this was an
achievement.
The goal I wanted to achieve
by the end of the year 2012 was
to literally see Christmas and
spend it with my family.

13. The other big Hope
was to see our eldest
child And second
eldest go to school and
kinder for the first time.

14. ‘hope’ in every scan

15. What has been
achieved with my
resilience,
determination and
support?

16. With Determination, support and fight
anything can be achieved
Raised Money for Melanoma
Research by ‘Marching Against
Melanoma’ with family, friends and
colleagues 60 Plus family and Friends.

17. Didn’t think I’d be able to achieve
what I have done so far.
Rode two days of the
Tour de cure Riding 350km
over two days.
As a result of this Tour I was
able to Raise Money for Cancer
Research.

18. My Journey is not
over…..
- Blood tests every four weeks
- Scans every six weeks.
- Medication every day.

19. Back working Full time
and on the bike again.

20. www.melanomathletecyclist.blogspot.com.au
‘With the right attitude, greatness
can be achieved and a cure for
Cancer can be found.’

21. What you can do?
Donate or support
through organisations
such as....
www.tourdecure.com.au
www.conquercancer.org.au
www.biggestmorningtea.com.au
www.marchagainstmelanoma.com.au