Josh's Story

At the age of 17, Josh was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumour.

Our teenage son, Josh, who had been a fit, healthy and sporty boy throughout his life, at the age of 17 started experiencing bad headaches, associated with vomiting. He had also noticed balance issues and often felt nauseous and light headed.

We assumed he was getting migraine headaches, but to our horror, a CT scan showed a tumour the size of a golf ball in the fluid of his brain. He was immediately admitted to hospital and he underwent major surgery to remove the lump, and thankfully the surgeon was able to remove the entire mass.

A couple of days later, however, we were told that the pathology test indicated that the lump was in fact a very fast growing form of cancer called a medulloblastoma, normally found in young children.

his is something that we were not prepared for and something which changed our lives forever. Over the next seven months, the oncology ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital became a second home to us. Josh went through six weeks of intensive radiation treatment directly administered to his head and spine. After that he underwent four months of high dose chemotherapy, along with stem cell reinfusions which were given through a Hickman’s Line inserted into his chest. He went through so much, our darling boy, and he has been so brave throughout the whole ordeal.

We are happy to say that all his MRIs to this point show no signs of cancer and all the medical team are happy with his progress

It has only been 9 months since his main treatment ended, but he bravely went back to college this year on a part-time basis and he is doing very well. He recently got his learner’s licence and his ambition now is to be a paediatric nurse. His life will never be the same, nor will his family’s and loved ones, but we are all just so thankful to God that he is still with us and his prognosis is very good.

Carol and Leigh

Hobart, TAS

(17/10/2013)