Back to page

Supporting Reece & Gabbie for their fight ahead

  • The crushing low that instantly destroys 😢

      26 May 2025
    Posted by: Gabbie Dickinson
    Main image

    This update is written by Reece ♡

    Sup sk@nks and sk@nkards, (sorry😅)

    Wee cancer update for those following along:

    Had an Oncologist appointment to find out the results of my latest CT Scan, this was an urgent one done a few weeks back as liver function had started playing up)unfortunately looks like the Chemo im on isn't working anymore and the tumors are growing again, for example the biggest one went from 83mm to 58mm now back up to 74mm.

    So now I'm going on 2 different Chemos starting this Wednesday called Gemcitabine and Cisplatin, it's almost weekly being this Wednesday then the following Wednesday then a week off then back to Wed & wed then a week off etc...

    Fingers crossed these new chemotherapys work.

    On ya 🤝

    Annd also the mutation they believed was class 2 is atcually class 3!

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • 4th April part 2

      26 May 2025
    Posted by: Gabbie Dickinson
    Main image

    I have asked for a referral to be sent to the Peter Mac hospital in Melbourne, which is one of the best oncology hospitals in Australasia. The treatment for class two cancer, of course, wouldn’t be subsidized, but with it being rare, our hope is that we will find some kind of trial interested in looking into Reece’s situation.

    A decision has been made to stop one of Reece’s chemotherapy treatments, as he is starting to experience quite severe nerve damage in his feet. This can be irreversible, so the decision has been made to stop now. He will still continue with the other type of treatment.

    I’ve called this journey a roller coaster since day one, and I still stand by that. You just get on, and it doesn’t stop. There are parts that feel like going along the straight, and that’s okay—you sort of forget and park it up that you’re on one hell of a ride. But then you are hit with some lows and then some highs, and you just NEVER get off. I think that’s one of the hardest things—it feels never-ending. Our life will never be the same, and while we try to stay mostly positive, it also takes up a lot of energy.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • The 8th of April , how things can change in a month...

      26 May 2025
    Posted by: Gabbie Dickinson
    Main image

    I just thought I would do an update here as it keeps everything together. I wrote this on the 4th of April but never sent it. There will be 2 updates in a row ♡

    Part 1

    Reece is doing really well.

    After four months of whinging, we were finally given a referral for a non funded PET scan. The PET scan didn’t show anything that we didn’t already know, which, in a way, is great because it means there’s no more growth hiding anywhere else. However, it’s also frustrating because we are still no further ahead in identifying the primary source.

    The genome sequencing testing that was sent to America with the biopsies taken back in November was unfortunately invalid, as the sample sizes were too small. This is extremely frustrating, but there was an alternative sequencing test that could be done via a blood test, with the samples then sent to America. That was performed, and the results came back last week.

    Reece has two types of mutation 🙄🙄. The first type is a reasonably common mutation usually present in bowel, breast, and lung cancer. The frustrating part is that he doesn’t have the common type—he has "class two," which is uncommon. Of course, it didn’t stop there 🥲. It then mutated again into another type of cancer that our oncologist hasn’t even heard of because it is so, so, so rare. This leaves a lot more questions and a lot more research to be done.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • News

      25 February 2025
    Posted by: Gabbie Dickinson
    Main image

    ♡ Well, it's been a long time since our last update, but we have been waiting until we had something to report as life has just been ticking along nicely, and results feel like they take FOREVER ♡

    Reece went for a CT scan a couple of weeks ago. The results have shown 7 tumors have all shrunk. The biggest of the lot was 85 mm and now down to 53mm!

    This news was definitely a step in the right direction, so keep those thoughts and prayers coming as the power of positivity is working 💪

    The liver biopsies are on their way to America. Hopefully, this will unleash more information. 🤞🤞🤞🤞

    This roller-coaster we stepped onto doesn't stop. Days of highs and days of lows. It just goes around and around and around, and it really fricken sucks.

    Reece is having a break from Chemo this week just to give his body and mind a rest. He also made the decision last week to resign from his job so he is now medically retired. It was an extremely hard decision to make, but time is precious.🥲

    Again, as always, thank you all for your support, love, and strength.

    ❤️ Gabbie

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Were to from here..

      4 February 2025
    Posted by: Gabbie Dickinson
    Main image

    The plan ahead is:

    His biopsies from the sample they took from his liver back in Dec will be sent to America this week. Hopefully, this will show the mutation of the cancer and where it originated. If they can find this mutation, then the treatment plan can potentially change. This will take around 6 weeks to get back.

    On the 11th of Feb, Reece will have another CT scan, which will see what is going on and if the chemo has actually made a difference. Which I'm sure it has.

    He will still continue to have his chemo every 12 days.

    His oncologist is so happy with his progress (and probably sick of my 101 questions) that she is happy to meet with us monthly rather than fortnightly. Also, because his blood work has been so great, he is now down to fortnightly tests rather than weekly. These small wins, although they seem like nothing, are huge. One less appointment, one less trip to the hospital, and one less needle is all positive.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Positivity & Hope

      4 February 2025
    Posted by: Gabbie Dickinson
    Main image

    Hello ♡

    It feels like ages since we have done an update. Life has just been ticking along nicely. Again, thank you all. Your support blows us away, and we feel honored by each and every single one of you ♡ thank you ♡

    Reece's blood test levels have continued to trend down. YAY!! They are what would be considered "normal" now, which is extremely weird and hard to get our heads around. The logical reason for this trend would suggest the tumors are getting smaller. 🤞🤞🤞but who knows. This hope I hold on to and live in the positivity that there will be a miracle. When you don't have all the answers you need, hope is the only thing you have to hold onto.

    Reece had his first day back at work today, and while he exhausted, the fact he made it there is amazing 👏. 10 weeks ago, this isn't something we dreamed would be part of life again.

    After 3 sessions of chemo at a reduced dose of 75%, they decided to put it up to a full dose. Unfortunately, this was extremely hard on Reece and left him feeling yuck and unbelievably tired, so last week he went back down to 75% and felt much better.

    We are back up to our fav family camping place this weekend to make memories and relax.

    We try to do as much as we can on Reece's "off" week as when he is attached to the chemo pump it's hard to do much.

    Lots of love,

    Reece and Gabbie ❤️

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • An update from Gabbie x

      29 December 2024
    Main image

    Hello All,

    Happy holidays ⛺️

    We are so totally blown away by your love, support and kindness ❤️

    We thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. It means so much to be surrounded with love and kindness during this tragic time.

    We managed to get away for a quick family holiday up to the beautiful Ranfurly in between chemo sessions. Recce starts his 3rd round on the 31st and so far has been managing the side effects really well fingers crossed it stays that way!

    So far it's been a mission finding this primary cancer.... There are a couple of private options which include gene testing and a PET scan we haven't done yet as it's best to wait till the 4th round. But all other options so far have been tried.

    Again, thank you all for your love and support ❤️

    Keep us in your prayers and bring on good things for 2025!! 🎇🎇🎇🌟🌟🌟

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update #2 from Gabbie

      17 December 2024
    Main image

    I now write this as a married woman!

    Something that was never high on our list to do was get married, but it's funny how things change when life changes. Things that didn't seem so important became super important in the present.

    We had a wonderful day - our small intimate wedding full of love and laughs.

    Reece starts his second round of chemo tomorrow. He is coping, so will handle it like an absolute champ. While very, very tired, his symptoms aren't as bad as they could be.

    His story is changing and twisting at every bend....The unknown is a head F**k

    When we first found out, it was suspected that liver cancer was secondary.

    Originally deciding not to worry about taking biopsies due to the risk of seeding (spreading the cancer), this changed as already through his lymph nodes.

    When the biopsies came back, they showed marking of bowel cancer.

    Two weeks ago, more biopsies were taken from the bowel. There was no cancer found in his bowel.

    Today another test along with biopsies will take place to see if it is oesophageal or stomach cancer as these can have similar markings to bowel cancer.

    The results will take a few weeks.

    Heartbreakingly, this does not change his prognosis 😭 although what it can mean is if they can find it, they are able to add different types of chemo to the cocktail he receives.

    Sometimes people never find out what their primary cancer is. Every day I live in hope that they’ve made a mistake, and it's just an apple growing from swollen seeds ❤️

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 18/12/2024 by Penny

      Hi Gabbie,

      Such a beautiful photo of the two of you and so much love between you. You are in my thoughts each day beautiful, brave warrior mum and wife. Sending you all huge huge hugs, Penny Bingham xx

  • A message from Gabbie

      5 December 2024
    Main image

    Hey guys, Gabbie here, ❤️❤️

    1st of all, we are just so humbled by everyone's kindness and generosity, especially with the cost of living and Christmas just around the corner, so thank you.

    We are just blown away by all the love and support you have shown us.

    Thank you so much ❤️

    It's hard to express in words what this means.

    Reece went in for his port intersection yesterday. It was extremely painful, but he handled it like a champ. 👊

    Today is a big day. The 1st of many (🤞🤞) chemo sessions.

    Unfortunately, we won't know if his liver has managed to handle it or if they will need to place stents in until next week, but so far, all tracking in the right direction.

    Reece was only given a few weeks to live when we were given the stage 4 terminal, incurable, diagnosis last Thursday. 😭😭😭

    It was critical that they got chemo on board ASAP to slow this progress down and prolong his life.

    On a positive note, a set of blood tests that came back yesterday showed the steroids used to improve liver function and reduce jaundice have been working!!

    Once again, thank you all x

    Signing off for now xxx

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment