For Dan and Hannah Sangster, life as they knew it changed overnight when Dan was diagnosed with bowel cancer and two brain lesions at the age of 34.
Dan knew something was wrong was when he had moments of clumsiness and was unable to move his body as easily as he should.
He put it down to being tired at the end of busy days as a plumber. But in October, Dan had trouble using the clutch while driving, so he went to the doctor.
He was advised to head straight to the hospital, after a stroke or aneurysm were ruled out. On arrival, he failed a nerological assesment and was sent for a catscan.
It wasn’t long before the diagnosis came, which changed their lives instantly.
The scan showed two lesions in Dan’s brain, both of which had fluid and swelling around them, which had been causing the physical symptoms. But that was only the beginning, with doctors believing the lesions had metastisised, or spread, from somewhere else in the body.
A full body scan then showed a 3cm x 4cm tumour in his abdomen, and Dan was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
By the end of October, Dan was no longer able to work or drive, had limited use of his left arm and leg, and was making use of a walking stick. Surgery removed the lesion from the front of the brain, but it was confirmed it was the lesion at the back causing the physical symptoms, which is inoperable.
Dan has opted for a course of radiation and oral chemotherpay to try and halt the growth in his brain and bowel.
“Ultimately there’s no fairytale ending for us, but the aim for the treatment is to give us as much time as possible together as a family.
“The hope is for the treatment is to shrink/slow the tumor’s growth,” she adds.
“The hard line is 12 months or less if it doesn’t work, but we are crossing everything and pinning all our hopes on successful treatment with much longer than that.”
Hannah’s employer at Tōtara Kids Early Learning Centre in Stoke, Elise Walton, calls Hannah, her head teacher, ‘family’.
So, when one of the teachers saw the ‘Move Your Butt’ campaign, which raises funds for the Bowel Cancer Foundation, the whole team jumped on board to help out.
Together, they will each walk 100km in February. Despite being in Christchurch while Dan undergoes radiation therapy, Hannah is also taking part.
“It came at the perfect time,” she says.
“Only a couple of months after Dan’s diagnosis, and it’s walking, which I love.”
Elise says the campaign has got the team out together at a time when their thoughts are in Christchurch with Hannah and Dan.
They have already surpassed the $1000 goal they set on 1 February.
As part of the fundraising efforts staff have been making crochet poos, and baking chocolate poo cupcakes. Parents have also helped, baking meals and sponsoring the walks. Hannah says there have been positives come from what they are going through.
“The best thing about the whole situation is the time we have been able to spend together. The kids think it’s great that dad and mum are home all the time. And we have had the most amazing response from our incredible village of family, friends and community.”
Elise says the diagnosis came as a shock to everyone, especially with Dan being so young.
“It can happen to anyone, no matter your age. So be aware of symptoms, no matter how small, and go to the doctor,” Hannah adds.
She says although finances are tight for lots of families, she encourages everyone to look at life insurance.
“Lots of people will say they can’t afford it, just think - can I afford not to? It has been an absolute blessing and has financially helped me be able to take time off work.”
And she has one last piece of advice: “Make sure you have a will and enduring power of attorney in place. I tell you now, if something happens suddenly and you end up needing one or the other or both you will be thanking your younger self for getting that organized.”
To support the Tōtara Kids team in the 100km challenge, donate here.
