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- Matt's story: “Jordan has been a blessing”
Matt's story: “Jordan has been a blessing"
Matt’s life changed in an instant. At 34, he was working in civil construction and raising a young family with his partner Kyra, life was busy but normal. Then one day, something didn’t feel right.
“I felt really ill at work and asked a mate to call an ambulance, shortly after I had a seizure.” Matt recalls.
When he woke up, he was told he had a brain tumour.
“At the hospital they put me in a coma, but even after that the following days were a blur, lots of tests and scans,” Matt says.
In the weeks and months that followed, Matt went through major brain surgery, radiation and now chemotherapy, all while adjusting to life with a newborn and a young family.
“My partner Kyra, our kids, and my dad have been my rock.”
It was during treatment that Matt met his McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Jordan.
From the beginning, Jordan became someone Matt and his family could rely on, a steady presence in a time that felt anything but.
“Jordan has been a blessing,” Matt shares.
“He’s always there to answer my questions, no matter how small or silly they might seem. He never makes you feel like a burden, and you can tell he genuinely cares about how I’m doing.”
- Matt
“It has all been such an unknown territory for us, but Jordan’s got all the answers, he’s incredibly helpful”
For Jordan, Matt’s attitude has stood out from the start.
“I have been constantly impressed by how upbeat and open Matt is. He’s passionate about getting to know his treatment team and building real connections, it’s really refreshing."
“Patients and their families can sometimes feel like they don’t want to ask too much but it’s really important that they know they can reach out to me at any time.”
- Jordan
"Matt was hesitant at first, but with something as serious as a brain tumour, learning to ask for help is an important part of care.”
For Matt, having someone to explain what’s happening, check in regularly and simply be there has made a real difference.
He also knows how important that support is, not just for him, but for others facing cancer.
“I have watched the Pink Test every year and think it’s amazing that the McGrath Foundation now supports people with any type of cancer, it’s an incredible move forward for cancer care in Australia. It’s been scary, but I feel lucky to have caught this at a time when support has been available for me and my family.”
For Matt and his family, that support has meant they haven’t had to face cancer alone.
As a mum of three, Meg was used to being on the go, balancing family life with her work in disability support services. Then a strange tightness in her leg began to bother her.
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Dan was always on the move. A devoted husband, father of two teenage girls and lifelong sports lover, he lived a busy, active life in Melbourne. So, when a routine run left him unusually short of breath, he knew something wasn’t right.
Kirby is used to caring for others. A registered nurse from Maitland, a mum to two young children, and someone who loves the outdoors, 37-year-old Kirby had built her life around caring for others and making the most of family time. Days were filled with work, camping trips, cricket, and the joyful chaos of raising her kids, Norah and Vance.
Friends Sam Burge and Nikki Shar both have cancer experiences. Sam was diagnosed with breast cancer and had the support of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, while Nikki nursed her husband through cancer alone.
At 45, Rachel’s life changed in a matter of weeks when a minor stomach issue led to a bowel cancer diagnosis. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, she is navigating treatment while staying connected to the life and family she loves.
Just weeks into retirement, Karen’s life changed with a bowel cancer diagnosis. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, she is learning to navigate treatment while focusing on living fully in the present.
When a routine blood test revealed multiple myeloma, Helen’s life changed unexpectedly. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse and her family, she approached treatment with optimism and continues to live life fully.
When Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44, life moved quickly from uncertainty to treatment. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, she navigated the experience with practicality, strength and a renewed clarity about what mattered most.