Having trained as a Navigator in the Air Force, Patrick developed a very cautious attitude towards making informed calls and while this certainly made him dependable, it would later serve as a constant frustration.
In 2017, after having received a misdiagnosis many years prior, Patrick was given the news that he had an incredibly rare form of sarcomacancer arising from bones and/or soft tissue cancera disease where abnormal cells split without control and spread to other nearby body tissue and/or organs. So rare in fact, his oncologista doctor who specialises in the study, diagnosis and treatment of cancer had told him that there may only be 20 other cases worldwide. While appreciative of finally having a satisfactory diagnosisthe process of identifying a disease based on signs and symptoms, patient history and medical test results, Patrick’s torment would only grow from here as he reached out for information, and support.
“I’ve found the prolonged and cumulative stress has been particularly challenging for me, despite being a disciplined person. I’ve found surgeries particularly tense times.”
Since his initial diagnosis of Hemangiopericytoma in 1993, Patrick has had major surgerytreatment involving removal of cancerous tissue and/or tumours and a margin of healthy tissue around it to reduce recurrence on 7 different occasions, not to mention the dozens of regular CT scans and reviews over the passing decades. Then, a devasting blow came in May of 2017, when he was quickly abandoned by his surgical team after they learned that the cancer had spread to his lungs and surgery was no longer an option. To make matters worse, Patrick’s form of sarcoma cancer also has a high resistance to both chemotherapya cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, while minimising damage to healthy cells, and radiotherapy, taking both treatment pathways off the table.
However, Patrick continued to seek other options and discussing what possibilities remained opened, often with his wife, a senior specialist nurse, to bolster his resolve and confidence. While at first, he would receive much of the same answers that had led him nowhere, continually growing more frustrated with ‘might’, ‘perhaps’, and ‘possibly’ instead of the black and white nature of brutal facts. Until finally, there seemed a small glimmer of hope in the form of a drug trial.
While for some forms of cancer, Keytruda is PBS subsidised drug, but in the case of Patrick’s incredibly rare cancer, he was once again left only disheartened. Sadly, his cancer didn’t fit the criteria for funding and the Minister for Health rejected his application; an issue some of you reading this would have already faced.
Again, Patrick would not be stopped and only continues onwards. Since his rejection, he has instead found the finance himself, and $60,000 later, is on a course of Keytruda infusions. He currently awaits his next PET scan to see if his tumours have seen any changes since the last check. While things may seem grim, Patrick remains resolute that he has found a key element in this journey; an iron-clad support network.
“A person cannot fight for a long period alone, especially against a disease like cancer. It will simply wear you out both physically and mentally.”
Going through more than 28 years of living with a rare cancer, Patrick has come to understand the importance of both self-discipline, but also the importance of friends, family, medical fraternity, and simply reaching out.
Patrick lives with his supportive wife and has four children – all of whom were raised while living with cancer. He maintains an active lifestyle with regular gyms sessions, a university membership, along with phone support with RCA.