AFTER enduring ongoing headaches, memory loss and severe pain, Mount Gambier resident and budding chef Scott Collins was thrown into an unimaginable situation.
Fighting for a diagnosis for months, Mr Collins finally received an MRI and as the test was completed, he was asked to remain where he was while the Royal Flying Doctor Service rushed to fly him to Adelaide immediately.
It was then he was told he had a tumor growing on his frontal lobe the size of a grapefruit.
Once arriving in Adelaide, Mr Collins was rushed into life-saving surgery with a tumour around the size of one quarter of his brain removed during the craniotomy, but unfortunately the entire tumour was not able to be cut out.
He was then returned home after five days, but was diagnosed with grade three brain cancer as the remaining part of the tumour had become inoperable.
Mr Collins then started his battle against the odds with radiation and intense chemotherapy.
“I was initially told I would only have less than a week to live if I did not get my first operation,” Mr Collins said.
“The whole thing happened really fast, which I guess helped because we did not really have time to think about anything.
“I knew I had to just get on with it and get through it.”
Mr Collins’ mother Deanne Carmody said the family was overwhelmed with the support Scott received in Adelaide.
“Everyone at Flinders Medical Centre was so helpful to us,” she said.
“We knew exactly what was happening at all times and they were always happy to answer any questions we had.”
Before being diagnosed, Mr Collins spent his days working as a chef at popular Port MacDonnell cafe Periwinkles.
In the six month lead-up to his diagnosis, he was showing signs of aggression towards other staff members, would forget what he was doing and have recurring mood swings.
Although for some employers this may have been something requiring disciplinary action, former owners Paul and Kim Mullen saw this as a red flag for Scott’s health.
“They knew something was not right because this was not how Scott would normally act,” Ms Carmody said.
“We were so grateful to them for their support because it could have just been easier to let Scott go, but they worked with us to try and get a diagnosis.
“It was a long six months not knowing what was wrong, but the support we received made things a little easier.”
Once diagnosed, the support did not stop.
Mr Collins was then offered to stay on in his role at the cafe, only working when he felt he was not too sick or tired.
“I’m so happy they kept me on and helped me out,” Mr Collins said.
“Being at work really helps me keep my mind off things and while I’m not in Adelaide, it’s great to have something to look forward to.
“Even the new owners, Grant and Emma Fensom, have been accommodating and supportive through this process.”
The cafe even held a fundraising night with tickets to the event selling out in less than 24 hours.
More than $7000 was raised for Mr Collins’ chosen charities, Cancer Council and RedKite.
“I chose those two because they are both so helpful when I am in Adelaide for treatment,” Mr Collins said.
“It is a good feeling to support those who have supported me.
“I do not want money for myself or anything, I just want to make sure services like those continue.”
Although Mr Collins travels to Adelaide for his treatment, one of his aims is to reach out to others in the South East fighting cancer.
“We would love nothing more than for Scott to have someone to talk to about what he is going through,” Ms Carmody said.
“To have someone young who is going through a similar situation for him to connect with would be great.
“Maybe we would be able to create a support group or something similar for youth in the region so they have people who know exactly how they are feeling.”
For now, Mr Collins and his family are taking things as they come and trying to get through one day at a time.
“We do not like to think about what might happen,” Ms Carmody said.
“We just take every day as it comes and face the challenges head on.
“Having a child diagnosed with brain cancer is of course intimidating, but Scott’s positive attitude and focus really keeps the family going.”
