Summary of Our Cancer Journey – Robyn & Steve

I cant believe it’s been 10 years since this journey started for us.

I was incredibly concerned when I was first diagnosed with CUP and given a life expectancy of 2-3 years to live.  After my neck dissection, I had to wait 6 weeks before I could commence radiation.  I wanted my body to be as ‘clean and strong’ as possible so I gave up alcohol and sugar, and reassessed every mouthful I put into my body.  Ten years on, I am still happily a non drinker. I don’t feel the need to drink, its not a struggle for me and I still don’t eat sugar, again I don’t crave it or feel like I am missing out on anything my friends are having.

My taste buds never returned to what they were so I am now a pescatarian and really happy with my new life.

A terminal cancer diagnosis makes you stop and think about your life, your past and your ‘limited’ future and more importantly the present!  Suddenly it doesn’t matter the car you drive, the type of house you live in…. all the material things you have worked your life for to achieve.  It’s about what to do next.   I made a Bucket List of places I wanted to see (before I die one day).  The first two places I wanted to see were the cherry blossoms in Japan and climb the great wall in China – tick!  Then Taj Mahal In India, tick.   Then Europe – the typical places – London, Stonehenge, Paris, Rome, Pompeii, Greece, The Maldives, Singapore.  Then Asia – Malaysia, Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia.

Five years into my cancer diagnosis, Steve was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given 18 months to 2 years to live as the cancer was in both lungs and inoperable.  He endured six months of a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Then,12 months later the cancer had spread to behind his eye which involved a face mask and 4 weeks of radiation. Another 12 months, a new tumor was found in the upper right section of his lung so he had a lobectomy – I told him it’s not a competition – just because I lost my top left lung he didn’t have to lose his upper right in sympathy lol!
Steve’s dream was to visit Egypt and a 7 day cruise down the Nile – sun rise hot air balloon ride over Luxor. Tick.

Another goal we both wanted to fulfill was to visit Israel – which we loved – an amazing experience.  A few months before we left, I had a feeling something wasn’t quite right with my health although I felt well and didn’t have any symptoms.  I went to my GP who said it was difficult to order any tests as ‘what are they testing for’. So I ignored my ‘inkling’.  Whilst in Israel, I kept hearing a voice telling me ‘go now’, ‘go now’.   When I returned I had a PET scan which revealed a tumor which resulted in the removal of in my upper left lung – lobectomy.

Next step – get well and visit Turkey  – sun rise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia – amazing!

I guess I can thank cancer for making us ‘live’.

Never give up hope that there is a better life waiting for you.  Always believe in the magic of life and love you’re your body everyday – its’ the only one you have so be grateful for it.

Summary of Our Cancer Journey – Robyn & Steve

Robyn:

August 2006 – Removal BCCs centre of scalp

August 2007 – Removal SCC & BCC scalp and back

January 2012 – SCC in the lymph glands right side of neck – no symptoms except small lump smaller than a pea under my right jaw

Feb 2012 – Right neck dissection followed by 6 weeks of radiation PA Brisbane

Nov 2012 – Metastatic Carcinoma (CUP) on forehead with skin graft from left groin area

Dec 2014 – Removal of SCC from upper left anterior chest

Oct 2017 – CT Guided lung biopsy to determine type of tumor in lung – SCC confirmed

Nov 2017 – Lobectomy – removal of upper left lung – again no symptoms – I just knew something wasn’t right and booked in for a private PET scan

Nov 2022 – Forehead and nose surgery removal of BCCS

– Steve’s Journey

2007 Heart stent

April 2008 Heart stent

July 2010 Heart stent

Nov 2013 woke with blurred vision which led to retina detachment during the day, emergency surgery to repair the eye 

Feb 2016 – DVT (deep venous thrombosis of lower left leg treated with clexane injections, self administered for 6 months

March 2016 – Removal of Melanoma on front of left shoulder after noticing a suspicious mole

August 2016 – Diagnosed via a CT scan of non small adeno carcinoma in upper right lung

January 2017 – PET scan showed multiple tumors inside and outside the lungs with one tumor right lower lobe outside the lung and another tumor between lung and ribs. Non operable so a course of intense chemo and radiation for 6 months

Nov 2017 – Surgery to repair another collapsed retina, this time in right eye

Nov 2019 – removal melanoma right shoulder

July 2020 – Surgery to repair Collapsed Retina of left eye 

2020 – Non hodgkins lymphoma to eye orbit

Aug 2021 – CT Scan showed another non small adeno carcinoma

Lung cancer surgery to remove upper right lobe due to tumor