Clayton Rose was diagnosed with glioblastoma in November last year

A Rockhampton couple is ‘just making the most of every day’ after being dealt a devastating diagnosis.

Clayton Rose is fighting the good fight, with his next goal to make it to his 50th birthday on February 25.

He and wife Katrina are trying to make the most of every day after Clayton was diagnosed on November 5 last year with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer.

The prognosis from doctors was three to 12 months.

The Rockhampton couple, who had been together for 15 years, married in an emotional ceremony on November 21.

The diagnosis was truly shocking, given that Clayton was fit and well and working full-time as a mechanical fitter in the mines at Blackwater.

Katrina said Clayton came home on October 20 “not feeling great” and within a couple of days, the left side of his face had drooped.

They went to the Rockhampton Hospital where it was found Clayton had two lesions on the right-hand side of his brain.

He was flown to Royal Brisbane Hospital where he received the “horrible news”.

Clayton Rose on treatment day.

Katrina said the focus now was on providing quality of life for her husband.

Clayton had two rounds of oral chemotherapy and a scan at the start of January had shown shrinkage of the two large tumours.

“There is always a “but” with this disease,” Katrina said, “and they have started throwing out their tentacles and he now has a number of small tumours growing.

“Chemotherapy was then dismissed and he has had one round of immunotherapy (Bevacizumab) via drip at Cancer Care Rockhampton, which in itself poses risks of blood clots, although his first session has gone well.

“It’s not a cure but a hope of stopping growth short-term to give quality living.

“He is declining rather rapidly; he has regular seizures and is losing function of his left side.”

Katrina and Clayton cherished what could be their last Christmas together.

“Christmas Day was quiet. Clayton was sick and we stayed at home,” Katrina said.

“He still had all the trimmings of a big Christmas lunch and loads of presents and love.”

A gofundme page has been set up, which has raised $900, and Katrina said she “very much appreciated” the financial support.

Wife Katrina is Clayton Rose’s full-time carer.

She is Clayton’s full-time carer and said it was hard to go out anywhere with the threat of Covid, given that Clayton’s immune system was very low.

“I have found a support group on Facebook and there has been tremendous support from others going through the same condition in Central Queensland and Queensland,” she said.

“At this stage, we’re just making the most of every day.

“Once again, take everything in your stride and stop stressing about little things as you never know what is around the corner.”