"Chemotherapy and radiation treatment over the past 2 years"

After being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer which travelled to my liver and lymph nodes, my world came to a crashing halt. I was to start an aggressive form of chemotherapy which all of us crossed fingers and toes in hope that it would work.

Due to the severity of my condition it was to be a hit and hope method that could make or break the next course in my journey. Being told I may have 2 months to live didn't make things any better and I was willing to do anything to give myself a fighting chance.

My first day at The Bright Alliance Centre (Prince of Wales Hospital Randwick) started off with a mixture of anxiety, stress and worry. But all these would be quickly squashed with the help of the amazing staff I saw and their upbeat, "we/you can do anything" attitude. My mind eased as I knew I was in great hands. Week after week I would be met with smiles, laughter and a sense of family.

I found they were methodical with how to attack every stage of treatment, even when I had serious reactions, I felt they always went above and beyond their duty of care, not only for me, but seemingly everyone receiving treatment. This never wavered even during lockdown, when they were up against the wall with covid, staffing issues and their own personal issues.

Thanks to the help of the team at HODC I was able to finish my 9 sessions of chemotherapy and after scans was deemed eligible for my first of 2 major surgeries. Something that wasn't originally on the cards as we had to see if I had any good reactions to the chemotherapy.

Once my surgery was completed and 3 weeks of rest and recuperation ended I was set to complete another 5 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation before my next scheduled surgery later in the year. Again, knowing I would be dealing with the nursing staff I had come to love, I knew it would be made as easy as it could be.

Meeting the radiation team was just as much a great experience as it was with my chemotherapy team. I cannot express how much they made it easier for me to go in everyday knowing they would treat me like human and not just a number as we are all identified by on the hospital computer. After completing these treatments I was off for my second major surgery. Once completed I would have the rest of the year off and have scans early in 2022. In that time I enjoyed Xmas, my birthday, and was able to go away with my girlfriend and get back to a somewhat normal-ish life.

Unfortunately in May I was re diagnosed as my cancer had aggressively come back in a new spot deep within my abdomen. I was then set to do it all again for the remainder of the year.

It was a bittersweet welcome back as on one hand I didn't want to go through it again, but on the other I was happy to be in the hands of the people I know and trust. Just like before the staff I saw were amazing, friendly, compassionate and warm. I knew this was an uphill battle but with their help I could see myself getting through it.

Another 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation brings me to the position I'm in now. Awaiting scans early next year and hopefully free of what has wreaked havoc on my body, my mental state, my friends and family over the last 2 years.

I want to say a huge thank you to all the staff involved for their support, encouragement, selflessness and compassion. I really can't say anything bad as my experience has been nothing but good (well as good as can be all things considered).

Thank you so very much to everyone I saw at the Bright Alliance Centre, I literally don't know if I'd be here without your help.