In 1992, eight-year-old Justin’s life was changed forever.
It began when his mum noticed three lumps on the side of his neck. It wasn’t long after their first visit to the doctor when the lumps had formed into one big lump, half the size of an orange.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia was the diagnosis. The family was shattered by the news.
Hospital life began
A day Justin will never forget – 7 September 1992 – was his first visit to the Royal Children’s Oncology Ward. Seeing other sickly children in bed hooked up to machines and drips, he realised how serious this situation was.
Within the first couple of days of being at the hospital, Justin had his first lumbar puncture.
“I was so scared. I remember holding my Dad’s hand and squeezing as hard as I could to try and escape the pain.”
Justin recalls feeling extremely fortunate to have the Ronald McDonald House as a home away from home, directly across from the hospital.
Not only was the House in Parkville a haven during the initial stages, but his family was able to stay there when travelling to Melbourne for treatment.
On days when treatment would start with 8am blood tests, and end walking out of the hospital at 3pm, the family were able to walk across the road and rest, rather than driving four hours home.
After two years of Chemotherapy, Justin was told his treatment was complete. But In January of 1996, a routine blood test picked up an abnormality. It was a relapse.
A bone marrow transplant followed, and his older brother and sister were both willing to be donors. After another year of Chemotherapy, the family prepared for the transplant.
“In my head I kept asking, why me? Why me?”
The bat cave
Justin had to go through radiation therapy before being transported to what was called the “bat cave” at the Royal Children’s Hospital. The bat cave acted as an isolation room for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.
For ten months after the transplant, he had to remain isolated. Justin was able to return home but not to school, missing the majority of eighth grade and not returning until October of the next year.
The home away from home that the family found in us was a vital part of Justin’s journey to recovery. He recalls his parents were not in a financial position to pay for accommodation, and having the House across the road from the hospital made their tough time more bearable.
“What an incredible organisation for families with sick children. The welcoming, supportive staff, the meals donated by selfless volunteers and fantastic facilities all help families.”
Giving back
Justin is now married with two sons of his own. He’s a social worker in youth justice, drug and alcohol counselling and youth mental health.
This year, Justin and members of his family have signed up to take on the ten-hour Ride for Sick Kids spin challenge, to help raise money for families with sick kids in hospital – just like he was over 30 years ago.