Chris Bellamy's fight against Brain Cancer

Hi! Chris Bellamy here.

For those that don't know me, I'm happily married to Chelsea and a proud dad to Luke and Kairi. I recently turned 30 and have received the unwanted gift of a large and aggressive brain tumour. This has caused seizures meaning that driving, riding, and working are all out and lots of pills are in. I've been admitted to hospital with a possible stroke but was the tumour getting bigger and pressing on things that really shouldn't be pressed. A brain biopsy (yep, a piece of my actual brain) followed and the bad news is that as it stands it's inoperable.

I'm back home and getting into 7 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It's a long long shot but I am one of the most positive people you will ever meet. Some of my updates are below:

Absolutely full on week. Monday I was admitted to the Lyell Mcewin emergency as a stroke potential. I had multiple limbs go numb and completely lose function as well as my face and tongue. I also gained a massive speech impediment and was stuttering like crazy for all of Monday and Tuesday.

CT scans on Monday definitely didn't have any good news unfortunately and I was transferred to Flinders on Tuesday. Thankfully my stutter just stopped late Tuesday night. More MRI scans on Wednesday to confirm some theories.

I am currently heavily medicated and on additional anti siezure medication as well as constant pain relief, steroids and a couple of other wild nonsense drugs.

Unfortunately my aggressive section of my tumor has grown significantly and rapidly which is not great. So I am booked in for Monday to get a biopsy of the severe problem spot. Not sure when I'll be out of hospital at this stage but I am certainly missing my own bed.

This is Chris a man around the age of 30 married, with two adorable children. I managed Chris for a little while a few years back and I saw this posted today on his page. You see Chris has a battle on his hands being recently diagnosed with an aggressive Brain Tumour but you wouldn’t know it with these photos taken recently. I’m not lying he’s inspired me with his great will and zest for life and thank him for allowing me post and tell his story. Just know no matter how tough a day we have Chris shows us to live and smile. Please if you have time pray for this wonderful human being.

Chris is currently recovering from his biopsy surgery late yesterday afternoon. He's quite groggy, tired and in a bit of pain, but pulling through well and staying positive. He's struggling with lights, sounds and looking at screens, so he isn't looking at or answering his phone very often.

Update:

Holy moly. What a week.

Unfortunately due to the size, aggression, updated category and location of my tumor, they have deemed it inoperable.

This was a hard week.

The biopsy on Monday was rough and recovering this week has been absolutely insane.

It is currently considered a grade 3 astrocytoma, approximately 8x6x5 cm in size. There is still a chance it will be upgraded to a grade 4 (which hopefully won't happen).

There are unfortunately overwhelming risks associated with surgery due to the location, like paralysis of my entire body, complete removal of my communication ability or both(or more).

Currently I am insanely sensitive to light, sound and touch. I have to spend most of my time with an eye mask on and ear plugs in or I am in complete agony. This will hopefully start to ease in the coming days. I cannot begin to explain how glad I am that I'm home in my own bed now though.

The radiology team and chemotherapy team can't start treatment until I've recovered a fair bit more. Next step is creating a cast for my head and prepping for a 7 week, back to back daily treatment. Hopefully that starts in around 3 weeks if everything goes to plan.

Chelsea Bellamy, how could I have possibly survived this week without you?

My parents, family, friends, colleagues.. Everyone has just been so impossibly supportive.

I am eternally grateful for everything so far.

Update:

I have not worn pants all week

Recovery from my biopsy has been rough and slow. Mobility has been limited and even super simple tasks have been challenging. Over 23 hours a day laying down..

It has been hard to process the information from last week and I am very keen to start treatment.

Today was the first day I've managed to set foot outside since I got home last Thursday. My sensitivity to light, sound, touch and smell is still off the charts but I don't need an eye mask on all day every day and earplugs in 24/7 anymore so that's a plus.

Pain overall is at a minimum which is nice, most days I don't even need a panadol at the moment.

This week I have appointments with the chemotherapy and radiotherapy team and I will hopefully get an understanding of the upcoming treatment timeline. The scariest part of the current scenario is that even though I am on medication and been to hospital, my tumor is just growing aggressively and rapidly. My medication is helping with the side effects and symptoms but nothing has yet been done to attack this thing. That's what I'm ready for. Bring it on.

There has once again been an astounding and overwhelming amount of people reaching out and supporting me all week long. Thank you so much ❤

My darling wife Chelsea Bellamy has had her absolute hands full. Having to look after me and our two munchkins. Incredible effort.

Update:

Recovery has been slow but consistent

Sensitivity to all things is getting better but things like light, sound and touch are still crazy!

This week I was able to get outside a few times, go in a car to appointments and lunch one day. I'm just trying so hard to do a little bit more every day. Achieve one extra goal. Some days I have absolutely paid the price and become an immobile mess for a few hours but I still feel like the accomplishments have been worth it.

This week I had the meetings with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Those conversations weren't easy ones but they are very important. We spoke a lot about the side effects and intensity of treatment, oh boy am I in for a wild bloody ride.

Had my mask made on Friday to keep my head still during treatment.

My treatment starts on Monday the 14th and will be the chemo/radio whombo combo of brain cancer assault for 6 weeks.

Another incredible week of support and overwhelming generosity from so many people.

Cassandra Sorby-Adams Brodie Clark David Kitterringham Kevin Smith Mark Thomas Louise Bellamy-Leiper

Just to name a few.

I was able to read my kids a bedtime story this week for the first time in over a month which was absolutely lovely.

I have also managed to be able to hug them when my senses allow it and sit out at the dining table watching them play.

My beautiful wife makes every day possible and enjoyable. My gratitude is immeasurable for all the things from all the people. Thank you ❤

Update :

This week has had some of the highest highs and lowest lows.

The medical appointments have been really hard to process and the MRI I had this week was absolutely unbearable..

I did get to go out for dinner with my friends and lunch with my boss which was so great. I was also able to play playstation for the first time in months which has been nice.

The bag of drugs given to me by the chemotherapy doctor is simply enormous and daunting. I am ready for treatment and I wish I could have started sooner but it's also extremely scary. This is going to be the first week of my chemo and radiotherapy, apparently this is the easiest week so that's a plus.

Im still overwhelmed by the constant and high levels of support from people I have in my life. Some of which I haven't seen or spoken to in years just reaching out, offering support and helping with things I hadn't even thought of.

I couldn't handle what's happening without the people around me.

I'm so grateful for everyone and everything.

There I only want to share the positive photos from the week, and they're from my outings. There's also been some really nice quotes popping up on Facebook which I saved and I'll share them too.

I love you all and thank you again for everything ❤