A carefree Christmas with family took an unexpected turn last year when seventeen-year-old Patrick went for swim and his aunt who was a nurse, Eliza Fuller, became concerned about his stomach. It had slowly become increasingly distended over a few months and the summer weather made it easier to see. While his mum and dad had noticed, he was an otherwise healthy teenager with no other symptoms, and they agreed to check it out after the school holidays. Taking Eliza's advice, however, they decided to go sooner. 
 
Patrick visited a doctor in January 2019 and after having tests was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer. This was devastating news for Patrick, his parents and two siblings who were told soon after he would need a liver transplant. Liver cancer is a comparatively rare condition, as generally only about one or two out of every hundred children with cancer have it.  Originally at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle,  Patrick was later admitted to the Cancer Centre for Children at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead for treatment where he stayed for three months.
 
“During that time he was only able to lie in bed and had tubes everywhere. It was really difficult to see him like that,” said his aunt, Sarah Kenny.

 It was dire for a few months, but his personal strength is incredible. The role the medical staff have played is amazing.

Patrick's mother, Jacinta, remembers how arduous this time was. "We have met too many health professionals to remember, moved beds and wards multiple times, experienced frustrations, great sadness, and medical solutions that created their own problems." 

However, there has not been a day when I have not been truly grateful that, if this had to happen to us and him, we are here at the CHW with Dr Luciano Dalla-Pozza and his dedicated Oncology team and Michael Stormon’s Gastroenterology team, incredible surgeons (Dr Thomas and Dr Laurence from RPA), interventional radiologists and of course the many nurses and skilled clinicians who have been involved in treating Patrick and caring for us as his family.
 

Unable to keep food down during his time in hospital, Patrick's weight dropped to 43 kg which looked noticeably thin on his 171cm tall frame, but then in a positive turn of events he began to improve and despite a difficult period became stronger. 
 
That improvement, and his extraordinary personal strength, enabled Patrick to move to nearby Ronald McDonald House and visit the clinic for weekly treatment as an outpatient. Among the many procedures he has endured during this time are 25 chemotherapy treatments, interventional surgeries, biopsies and a failed liver transplant.
 
“It’s the little successes along the way that mean so much,” Sarah, his aunt, said. “Like when he was able to get off the feeding tube, and walk around and have a little more freedom. It’s those moments you try and enjoy. He can now participate in things and is well enough to enjoy time with his cousins and friends.”

"He is tougher than he looks," adds his mother, Jacinta. Patrick is now able to walk short distances without a wheelchair, his hair is growing back despite daily oral chemotherapy and weekly infusions, and recent scans show treatment is having an impact and some of the tumours have reduced in size. 

Patrick has even been able to go back home a few times for some brief visits which has been an experience he savoured. He enjoyed being able to sleep in his own bed, and just to sit on his own couch felt good as well.

An inspiring focal point during Patrick’s stay at Westmead has been Jonathan Delafield Cook’s Rhino artwork, which is prominently displayed in the hospital, where its quiet portrayal of a restive rhinoceros is often thought of as calming. Patrick’s family were drawn to its innate strength through recognising this trait in their son. They were so taken by this popular artwork, and what it signified, that an artist friend, Hanne Humphreys, painted a brighter rhinoceros as a gift for Patrick that also portrays a centred toughness.
 
His family and friends recently helped to cook and decorate almost 300 cupcakes for families, patients and staff in the Oncology clinic at Westmead, in an event that is now in its fourth year, and was instigated by a group of friends who thought they’d do something nice to put a smile on people’s faces. This year, because of 'Paddy’s' diagnosis, the September cupcakes they made held even more meaning for them. There were even rhinoceros cupcake designs created especially for Patrick.