NewsBite

‘History repeating itself’: Christian Campanella the third man in his family to suffer incurable brain cancer

When doctors told Christian Campanella he had brain cancer, he’d heard it before … twice, when doctors told his grandfather and father. But he’s got a plan to beat it.

The most common cancers in Australia and the symptoms to look out for

“It’s history repeating itself.”

That’s what Christian Campanella said to his wife when he was diagnosed with the same brain cancer that killed his father and grandfather.

It had only been a few hours since he’d completed an MRI on September 29 when a neurosurgeon told the father-of-three his life was going to change forever.

“I told him … I had experience with this particular tumour,” he said.

“The conversation turned pretty quickly into, okay, we need to get this thing out.”

Four days later Mr Campanella was having brain surgery, but this particular grade-four malignant brain tumour, known as glioblastoma (GBM) is incurable.

“I think of the tumour like an octopus,” the 46-year-old said.

“You’ve got the head, which is the main part of the tumour, and then the tentacles.”

Surgeons were able to successfully remove the head but the tumour’s “tentacles” will stay in Mr Campanella’s brain forever.

Doctors believe the HR director has 12 to 18 months to live – but Mr Campanella and his family, who are from Adelaide but now live in Sydney, are not taking that for an answer.

Christian Campanella with his family, wife Rebecca and children Jasmine, Ben and Violet. Picture: Supplied by family
Christian Campanella with his family, wife Rebecca and children Jasmine, Ben and Violet. Picture: Supplied by family

In the months prior to his diagnosis Mr Campanella’s symptoms were mild – a few headaches and brain fog – which he put down to tiredness as he was travelling a lot for work.

Christian Campanella’s father Frank and grandfather Domenico. Picture: Supplied by family
Christian Campanella’s father Frank and grandfather Domenico. Picture: Supplied by family

His loving wife Rebecca Campanella said her husband noticed he was missing letters when writing and typing words.

But when the neurosurgeon told Mr Campanella the symptoms were a result of cancer he said it was “surreal”.

“It’s been a funny journey because it’s not like I’ve gotten angry or upset,” he said. “I’ve come to an acceptance point very, very quickly.

“I know what it is, I know what it does, I know what to expect ... it’s allowed me to process it a lot quicker. I’m gonna fight this thing.”

Mr Campanella’s grandfather was 79 years old when he died from the insidious disease in 2000 and his dad was only 51 when he passed away from the same condition four years later.

“It’s not a fair situation but I’m not angry, I’ve chosen to take a positive mindset,” he said.

“I know all too well with this type of cancer that being bitter and twisted and crappy about it, it’s not going to do anything for anyone and it’s not going to change the situation.”

Ms Campanella broke the news to the couples three children, Jasmine, 16, Ben, 15, and Violet, 11.

“I can see the fear in their eyes but they’re also trying to be very positive,” she said.

Christian Campanella with his family, wife Rebecca and children Jasmine, Ben and Violet. Picture: Supplied by family
Christian Campanella with his family, wife Rebecca and children Jasmine, Ben and Violet. Picture: Supplied by family

The family are committed to having a “glass-half-full” approach. While they understand there is no cure for GBM, they believe they can stop it from growing - and their hope lies in Germany.

“We’re not naive but we are also very positive that this doesn’t have to be the outcome,” Ms Campanella said.

“We are adopting a very positive mindset, not just buying into what the doctors say, we know they’re saying that from statistics and in their expertise but no one knows the outcome.

“No one can conceive the future.”

In early January the Campanellas will travel to Europe for six months to a clinic in Duderstadt where doctors will harvest Mr Campanella’s white blood cells to create an immunotherapy specific to him. While that is occurring another clinic in Tuebingen will create a custom vaccination specific to Mr Campanella’s tumour, which they were able to do from a biopsied piece of it.

“We know how quickly it progresses which is why we know we have to go to Germany for this treatment as soon as possible,” Ms Campanella said.

If you’d like to support Christian and his family during this time, you can here.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/history-repeating-itself-christian-campanella-the-third-man-in-his-family-to-suffer-incurable-brain-cancer/news-story/7fa3417c28dda036182b6ba555927c78