We took Daisy and Annie for a walk, as we sometimes do. She gets so excited going for a walk she barks and barks as we leave the house. She sprints next door, always trying to find Lucy the Beagle that used to be next door.
I look fine, I feel fine. That's how I would describe things at the moment. But there is something inside of me that doesn't belong there.
Today I had a phone consultation with my specialist, A/Prof David Cavallucci, and I wanted to share an update on my pancreatic cancer journey. During our discussion, we reviewed my current situation and the options available moving forward.
When I was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, my world changed in ways I never imagined. Like many, I had heard of pancreatic cancer but didn't fully grasp the grim reality of its statistics.
Ros and I received a beautiful surprise that lifted our spirits in ways we couldn’t have imagined. One day, amidst the whirlwind of doctor appointments, a package arrived from Ros’s family in Melbourne.
On this day, I want to share a part of my life that has profoundly impacted me. I was diagnosed with a rare type of pancreatic cancer known as Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs).
Today, I want to share an important update about my pancreatic cancer journey. I am incredibly fortunate to have A/Prof David Cavallucci as my specialist.
I recently had a face-to-face consultation with my specialist, A/Prof David Cavallucci, and I wanted to share an update on my pancreatic cancer journey. We discussed the current state of my tumor, which is in a grey area in terms of size. Although it is low grade and low risk, the fact that I am young means that over the next 5-10 years, the risk of it growing, spreading, and causing issues becomes reasonably high. This is why we are considering surgery now.
I recently came across an inspiring interview with Eric Idle, the beloved Monty Python star, who shared his journey with pancreatic cancer.
Christmas this year was a beautiful day with my family - full of love, laughter, and those little moments that make the holiday special.
Today, we had a special late Christmas catch-up with Ros’s family, making up for the time we missed on Boxing Day.
Earlier this year, in mid-January, Ros and I decided to take a weekend escape to Hervey Bay. It was one of those beautiful, Queensland weekends from the 13th to the 16th, filled with good company, great food, and moments that stick with you.
This week, I had my meeting with the anesthetist to discuss my upcoming operation - a moment that made the reality of this journey sink in even deeper.
This was my final CT before surgery - it would tell the surgeon everything about the current state of the tumour. The tumour had grown since the last PET scan in September.
One of the things I wanted to do before going into surgery was having dinner with Ros, Mum and Dad at Parliament House in the Strangers' Dining Room.
Ros and I had our final appointment with Dr Cavallucci before surgery. It was a final run through of everything to make sure we had covered stuff we needed to know.
Today, I am feeling so much love and support from my amazing colleagues. They surprised me with a thoughtful care package that brightened my day.
Tomorrow is the big day - the day I have my Whipples surgery. Everything I have been doing over the past few months has been leading to this moment.