I will never forget the day our lives got flipped upside down. My beautiful wife was 30 weeks pregnant with our 2nd child, and, at the age of 27, we had the world at our feet…
One day Julianne came to me concerned about a lump in her breast, it didn’t feel right however we thought it was probably a blocked milk duct. Julz said she would get it checked at her next obstetrician appointment and subsequently had a scan and a biopsy.
Friday the 13th
On Friday the 13th I was working for myself as an electrician in a customer’s roof when Julz called and told me she had Breast Cancer.
I reassured her with words like “we will sort this out” and “don’t worry, we will beat this”. As soon as we hung up, it hit me like a tonne of bricks, my pregnant wife has to fight cancer. What would happen to our unborn child? What if I lose my wife and my child? With a million things running through my head, I crouched in the roof, bawling my eyes out.
Meeting with the best Oncologist gave us some temporary relief because we had a plan going forward: Chemo, deliver baby, more chemo, operation then radiation.
Looking back throughout Julz’s ongoing treatment, I was burring all my emotions to be strong for Julz and our two girls Luella (2yo) and Ivanna.
I distracted myself with work and sport and at the same time, I almost felt guilty if I was to have fun at this testing time in our lives. Julz knew I needed this time.
I’m so grateful for marrying such an incredible woman; even amid battling cancer she still had the awareness to see me, her rock, was also struggling.
Our Otis Retreat
Once all Julz’s treatment was complete we could breathe a sigh of relief. The Otis Foundation organised a weekend at Kez’s Hideaway in Redesdale and it was the perfect timing to be able to reflect on the massive physical and mental journey we had endured together. We were able to close one chapter, having finished chemo and radiation 2 weeks earlier, and prepare ourselves to start a new chapter moving forward.
We shared the experience with the friends and loved ones who supported us along the way. It was such a peaceful setting and we were able to laugh and forget our worries, taking a huge weight off our shoulders.
Looking back at our Otis stay now, it was a time of reflection for my family, a starting point for the next chapter of our new normal as a survivor. We were able to stop for a moment to celebrate and recognise each treatment milestone and this was so important in our healing process both physically and mentally.
My message to other men is to not stop doing things that make you happy. Find time to be with your true friends because being the rock in a tough situation requires some self-love to continue being strong for your loved ones. Also, know your partner’s body and vice versa. If I hadn’t had the confidence to say something wasn’t right about the lump in Julz’s breast, then, due to the aggressiveness of her cancer, perhaps this could have been a very different outcome.
- Carl
Carl and Julz are the designers and creators of the Kurraca Trailer Liner and, in wanting to give back to Otis, Donate $5 from every Kurraca purchased.
I would like to donate an Otis stay instead of gifting socks this Fathers' Day
