Sunshine Coast father of four Dan Fong fighting rare, aggressive cancer

A devoted dad of four has spent the last 10 weeks in hospital after what he thought was just a surfing injury turned out to be the only cancer case of its kind in Australia.

Dan and Lisa Fong with their sons. Picture - contributed.

A devoted dad of four has spent the last 10 weeks in hospital after what he thought was just a surfing injury turned out to be the only cancer case of its kind in Australia.

Dan and Lisa Fong, and their four boys aged from seven to 13, moved from New Zealand to the Sunshine Coast more than a year ago in search of a better life filled with sunshine and waves.

Mr Fong, 39, walked into the Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Mother’s Day with what he thought was a surfing injury. Within a few days he could no longer walk and had lost feeling from his chest down.

Dan and Lisa Fong. Picture – contributed.

He’s now spent the last 10 weeks in hospital unable to eat properly or move from his bed.

Mrs Fong, 41, who in a moment of desperation saved her husband’s life by taking him to hospital, said her life has been a living hell.

“It’s just a never ending nightmare,” she said.

“It’s like a torture chamber.

“We’re an active outdoor family usually and we’ve spent most of our time in hospital recently.

“Dan is usually out there surfing with the boys every morning, doing park run, and taking the kids to all of their sports games.”

Dan and Lisa Fong with their sons. Picture – contributed.

She recalled her husband had been complaining of a sore shoulder which they thought had been from a wipe out while surfing.

“He spent two weeks going to doctors and physio appointments trying to get it sorted,” Mrs Fong said.

“Then it got worse and he couldn’t sleep. It was very tight down his legs and he was getting a numbing feeling in his feet.

“I knew something was really wrong when that weekend he couldn’t come to any of the kids sports games. He’s usually very hands on and at all of them.”

After a week or so in hospital and what felt like never-ending testing, the family finally had an answer.

“It was horrible,” Mrs Fong said.

He was diagnosed with a very rare leukaemia lymphoma. The cancer was in his blood, in his cells around his blood, in his bone marrow, in his spinal fluid, and in the fluid around his brain.

He was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Lisa and Dan Fong. Picture – contributed.

With a rare and complex diagnosis came a very rare and aggressive treatment plan.

This included twice weekly lumbar punctures, extensive chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell and bone marrow transplants, blood transfusions, more testing, physiotherapy, unfunded treatment plans, and further research to try and cure him.

Mr and Mrs Fong have both taken time off from their jobs as a builder and online fitness instructor to focus on his recovery – while also getting the boys to school at Coolum Beach Christian College and their sports games.

“They’d never seen a case like it in Australia and there’s only been 10 cases in the world, but again they’re all slightly different,” Mrs Fong said.

“Doctors haven’t given us a timeline just a plan.

“He’ll need a stem cell transplant or it will kill him.

“There is hope but it’s still a nightmare. The latest update is he’s responding to treatment but some areas aren’t.

“They need to completely reboot him to get rid of the cancer and blast every bit of him to get it out. Then get a donor. It’s going to take months.”

Dan Fong with his sons. Picture – contributed.

Through tears, Mrs Fong shared how heartbreaking their journey had been so far.

“It feels like daggers in my stomach constantly,” she said.

“It’s harrowing to witness it and I feel so sad for all of us and scared.

“I’m channelling hope and believe our life will be great again but the doctors are worried.

“Thankfully we have the most amazing family and friends back home and here in Mudjimba. The school has been amazing too. We’re feeling supported and loved.”

While doing her best to keep life going and somewhat normal for her boys, Mrs Fong said she missed her husband and best friend dearly.

“I feel lonely going to bed by myself and thinking of him alone in hospital but he’s too unwell to stay home,” she said.

“We’re all just hoping and praying for a miracle.

Dan Fong with his sons in hospital. Picture – contributed.

“He’s my calm, stable, comfort blanket and rock. He’s very level headed and loyal, very kind, and a wonderful father and husband.

“He’s my best friend and we have the most amazing marriage and relationship.

“We met in London and have travelled a lot together. We’ve been together for 16 years and married for 14.”

Mr Fong told his beautiful wife his one wish was for another day in the sun, surfing, at the beach, somewhere quiet with her and the boys.

“I just want my husband home and healthy,” Mrs Fong said.

“The boys need and miss their father.

“We love him so much and it kills me seeing him like this and not being able to do anything to help.”

You can support the family here.