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Testimonials
Andrew's wife Kate says the couple kept life as normal as possible during the treatment. However, towards the end, as Andrew tired from the constant travelling and the radiation treatment, he was forced to give up the driver's seat. Kate says the doctors and nurses at the Holman clinic made the treatment easier and "treated us like family" keeping herself and Andrew fully informed about all aspects of the treatment. Two weeks after the radiation treatment it was decided to include brachytherapy where between 25 and 30 rods were inserted through Andrew's upper arm. For Andrew, the insertion and removal of the plastic tubes was the most painful part of his treatment and quite distressing for the family. After the brachytherapy there was time for Andrew to recover from his treatment, to spend some time with his family and to begin to settle back into some kind of normal family routine. Check-ups followed every six months with CT scans and MRIs. Finally, in 2005 Andrew got his five-year all clear after a PET scan and no further tumour activity. Kate says following the Initial shock of cancer diagnosis for family and friends, she and Andrew talked very openly about all possible scenarios. She says some people coped better than others with the news of cancer striking the family. "But Andrew's positive attitude was the one thing that held everyone together, even though there were times when we fell apart it was never in front of him," Kate says. "Our family and friends support network was very strong. Being part of a family-run business made things somewhat easier on us and my employer was flexible on my return to work from maternity leave and from looking after Andrew." Kate says the whole cancer experience has brought them all closer together. "We live a life where things do not get put off but are done when we want to do them, as we have learnt that life is there to be lived, not to be put off for the future." Because of the support of family and friends, Andrew and Kate did not call on The Cancer Council Tasmania's services. However, they recognise the great work of The Cancer Council. "Relay helps to raise money to continue these services, increases the awareness that cancer can strike anyone and that there are people there to help. "Relay For Life gives the family, friends and their support networks an opportunity to relax and reflect upon the cancer battle, yet still do something good for the cause." This is Andrew's third year walking in the Penguin Relay For Life.
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Andrew and son, Mitchell, at the Penguin Relay For Life. 
