Swim 4 A Cure has now finished

14 May 2011

Why is Swim 4 A Cure happening ?

When Rell's, brother in law , Steve was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphopma last year he didn't know the signs and symptoms and Steve didn't even know he was sick until he was told he had stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma. 

Steve, had been married just on a year when he was skiing in Japan, on his second honeymoon and had a nasty fall that hurt the side of his abdomen. On their return to Australia a week later Steve presented to the hospital to have his injury checked.

Sadly Steve wasn't injured. His spleen ,liver and kidneys were all enlarged due to the advancement of his cancer. Everyone was in shock. Only then did the family look back and think how long had he been sick for ...the weight loss etc. Unfortunately due to a heart condition a lot of the symptoms had been masked. But even still ...... we didn't know what to look for anyway. Then the long treatment process began. What to expect ....... we didn't know.    

All we knew was his Lymphoma was a nasty subtype, and incurable( at the moment) 

Remission was very  hard to achieve and when you read about it there really seemed to be no remission

The good news though , Steve took a new treatment called Nordic therapy, and amazingly he has achieved remission. We hope for a long time, long enough for organisations like Lymphoma Australia  to raise awarenees for earlier diagnosis, support and research for a cure.

Along the way, as a sister in law, watching the heartache, the unknown, the devastating delivery of the news the possibility that he may not make it ... I thought how many other families are out there facing this , some with kids, some people on their own. It was then I thought I want to help ... not just my family but all the other people. And I stumbled upon Lymphoma Australia ... so here we are ... trying to make a difference , to raise awareness, to raise money for such great cause.

I asked my brother in law if he minded me using him as my inspiration - his words - Rell, if we can stop just one person going throught what I did ...it would be worth it. Let's do it!

I am gald we have him around still and he truly inspires me. I think of what he has been through and it really brings you back to reality !

Swim 4 a Cure !

I think you have it guys... nothing outstanding ... just one very ordinary person  like so many others suffering from this cancer that manages to do very extraordinary things but people are fighting it with dignity and determination. That is what inspires me to help.

Join the fight !