Presentation I have been using with school on my Melanoma Journey and determination, courage and resilience.

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