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An 18-month delay in the diagnosis of bowel cancer for Queenstown’s father, Jeremy MacGillivray, may have cost him his life.
Now the 41-year-old is struggling longer with his wife Ayako, son Chris, 8, and non-verbal autistic daughter Nicola, 5.
“I have a bad outlook but I’m going to squeeze every day that I can. To do that, I have to put up this fight, ”he said.
MacGillivray began waking up with stomach cramps in 2017 and asked to be screened for bowel cancer because the disease had taken hold of his grandfather.
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His application was rejected due to his age, absence of symptoms and because a direct relative (father or brother) had not had the disease.
After a CT scan he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, which affects the digestive tract, and treated with antibiotics.
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Jeremy MacGillivray is concerned about widowing his wife Ayako.
The cramps returned about 18 months later.
A CT scan raised concerns about possible cancer and a colonoscopy was scheduled for November 11. She confirmed that she had cancer.
They told him that more than half of his intestine would be removed about five weeks later, but within two days, he was in extreme pain and underwent emergency surgery.
Surgeons found 21 cancerous lymph nodes and recommended chemotherapy, but Invercargill Hospital said it would not be reserved until he had a consultation with an oncologist 12 weeks later.
The family was unwilling to wait, so they moved to Christchurch for six months, where MacGillivray was able to access the same publicly funded treatment in less than four weeks.
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Jeremy MacGillivray, bowel cancer patient, with his family.
In August 2019, a scan revealed a new mass in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the abdomen and pelvic organs).
MacGillivray had stage four cancer and possibly only had months to live.
The owner / driver of the Super Shuttle and his family spent $ 75,000, so it could be operated immediately, rather than having to do it for publicly funded treatment.
“I couldn’t risk it. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that surgery. “
Braden Fastier / Stuff
Blair Vining was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer in October 2018 and, along with his wife Missy, has spent most of 2019 advocating for better care for cancer patients.
But more cancer was found in July, in addition to a previously diagnosed BRAF mutation, making the cancer more aggressive.
Southland cancer advocate Blair Vining, who has since died of bowel cancer, suffered from the same mutation.
The men shared messages during their respective battles with cancer.
MacGillivray said he was impressed by Vining’s accomplishments, particularly his campaign for a National Action Plan against Cancer.
He remained frustrated by the lack of communication between the health boards that led to delays in his own treatment.
Kavinda Herath / Things
The nationwide changes made as a result of Blair Vining’s efforts “will affect the lives of hundreds and thousands of New Zealanders for decades to come,” says Cancer Society medical director Dr. Chris Jackson. (First published October 2019)
“I know my chances of survival are dire. I try not to think about that because I don’t know if I will live two months or 18 months.
He urged others to push for more tests, seek a second option, and ask questions because no one was too young for bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer NZ spokeswoman Mary Bradley said it was the second deadliest cancer for New Zealanders, after lung cancer.
“We really need to get the message across to GPs and hospitals that you are never too young to get bowel cancer.”
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Jeremy MacGillivray with his 8-year-old son Christopher.
The problem was being detected in charity hospitals, as young people were denied the test, he said.
“That is completely unacceptable.”
MacGillivray said she wished someone had told her she could get a referral for a private colonoscopy. The $ 3000 cost could have significantly changed your perspective now.
He believed that some of the delays he experienced were due to living in the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) area.
A 2019 report found that Otago and Southland had the highest incidences of bowel cancer and one of the lowest colonoscopy rates.
This year, a report found that SDHB was using the national referral guidelines incorrectly, resulting in fewer patients entering colonoscopy waiting lists.
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Bowel cancer patient Jeremy MacGillivray with his 5-year-old daughter Nicola.
SDHB General Manager of Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Health Simon Donlevy said a gastroenterologist and surgeon reviewed the rejected colonoscopy referrals to make sure the decision was appropriate.
The National Bowel Screening Program was being rolled out in the district because it generally had lower wait times for colonoscopies compared to the rest of New Zealand.
“We accept that there are still improvements to be made and we are committed to working on them,” he said.
MacGillivray said those who treated him were amazing, but he couldn’t understand why authorities weren’t taking cancer more seriously.
“I know that many things need money, but I think that being able to survive is very important.”
