At the age of 25, Chris had everything going for him. A successful career, a full life, and a bright future - until he was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the nasal and sinus region.
The unexpected diagnosis
Chris's cancer story began when he was just 21.
"I had an incident in a nightclub. I was headbutted in the nose during a fight, but I didn't think much of it at the time," Chris recalls.
Over the next four years, however, things began to change. He started experiencing headaches, nosebleeds, and fatigue. His nose flattened, and he developed bruising around the area.
"I thought it was just a broken nose that hadn't healed properly," Chris says.
But his symptoms worsened.
By February 2005, he went to the doctor, expecting to be treated for sinusitis. But the doctors, noticing something unusual, took a biopsy.
A week later, the results came back: Chris was diagnosed with cancer, which he later found out was squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal septum area (sinus cancer).
Initially, Chris was told that the tumour could be removed through a simple procedure. However, as time went on and more tests were done, the situation became more dire.
"The tumour was much larger and more complex, eventually requiring a 17-hour surgery," he says.
Mental health and ongoing struggles
Although the surgery was a success and Chris completed chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the emotional toll of his physical transformation was more than he expected.
"When I was first told I had cancer, I didn't want to live. I was young, and I didn't want to change. I didn't want anything to be different," Chris reflects.
His fear of losing his appearance made it hard for him to come to terms with the reality of his situation.
"I didn't want to go through with the surgery, and at one point, I thought it would be easier to die than live with the changes."
As he began recovery, people around him praised his strength and resilience. But Chris's mental health was suffering.
"I thought I was okay, but I wasn't," Chris admits.
This struggle would eventually lead him down a dark path.
Addiction and losing everything
Between 2007 and 2012, Chris turned to using substances to cope with his unresolved trauma.
"I started partying again, trying to relive the life I had before cancer," he says.
But the substance abuse quickly took hold, and Chris found himself in a downward spiral.
"It grabbed me and took me to a place where I became a hermit. I didn't want to leave the house. I just wanted to numb myself."
His addiction caused him to lose his job, his home, and his family.
"I had to sell my house and move back in with my parents. At 32 years old, being dependent on my parents again was hard. Thankfully they were there to support me with my two young kids," Chris says.
His addiction and reckless behaviour eventually led to legal issues, including a major car accident.
"That was a turning point. I was facing a custodial sentence, but I was given a second chance. I went into a relapse prevention and detox program and started to turn my life around."
A new beginning
Determined to rebuild his life, Chris began working on his recovery. He started studying again, enrolled at TAFE, started volunteering in the community and pursued a career in community services.
"I knew I wanted to help people, especially those struggling with addiction," he says.
Through his studies and volunteer roles with organisation's like Life Education and Odyssey House, Chris slowly regained his confidence and sense of purpose.
In 2019, a friend shared an advertisement for the Penrith Relay For Life - this is when Chris decided to get involved with Cancer Council NSW.
"I was ready to focus on cancer and helping people that had gone through similar experiences, so I signed up as a volunteer," he says.
Since then, he has been deeply involved with Cancer Council through fundraising campaigns like Stars of Western Sydney and Relay For Life, volunteering as a speaker, and helping to raise awareness about cancer prevention and support services.
The importance of support
Chris knows firsthand the importance of support when facing a cancer diagnosis.
"When I was going through cancer, I didn't know about the services that Cancer Council offered. If I had known, it could have saved me a lot of heartache," he says.
He now encourages others facing cancer to reach out for help.
"Cancer can feel like an isolating experience, but it doesn't have to be," Chris says.
Life today: a story of hope and resilience
Now 45, Chris is sober and has been for 12 years. He is a dedicated family man with a beautiful wife, children, a house and a career he loves.
"Life today is the best it's ever been," Chris says. "I've got a clear head, great relationships, and I'm passionate about the work I do. I've come a long way."
Chris's journey is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for a fresh start.
