Morayfield barber Brock Feary battles testicular cancer, sepsis diagnosis

A Moreton Bay couple, only recently engaged, have put marriage plans on the backburner after a shock cancer diagnosis left them living “day to day”.

A Moreton Bay couple’s engagement bliss has been shattered by a cancer diagnosis

A young couple’s wedding plans have been horribly derailed after a cancer diagnosis and the prospect of months of gruelling treatment ahead.

Emma Russell, 23 and Brock Feary, 25 were only newly engaged when Mr Feary felt a sharp pain in his groin in November last year.

Mr Feary, a well-known Everton Park barber, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive testicular cancer after experiencing “unbearable pain”.

He is now battling neutropenic sepsis caused by his chemotherapy treatment as the cancer has entered his bloodstream.

Ms Russell said on the morning of her fiance’s diagnosis he called in sick to work as the pain was so unusual and intolerable.

“I also called in to sick to work, which was an awkward conversation to explain what was happening to Brock, in case he had to go to emergency,” Ms Russell said.

Brock Feary and Emma Russell.

“We booked a doctors appointment for 10am but by 9am he couldn’t stand the pain any more so we went to the Caboolture Hospital emergency room, where he was immediately examined and taken for scans and further tests.’’

Within two weeks Mr Feary had to have one of his testicles removed and he underwent further blood tests.

Ms Russell was told by doctors the cancer had a 50 per cent chance of returning within the next five years and there were concerns about a spot on one of the lymph nodes.

“We told the doctors we were in his hands and Brock began five days per week of chemotherapy in January,” Ms Russell said.

“The treatment absolutely took it out of him, it really did a number on him and he became quite sick.

“When he had finished one week of treatment his temperature skyrocketed and he became very sick,” she said.

Mr Feary visited the hospital emergency department with fever-like symptoms and two days later was again hospitalised and diagnosed with neutropenic sepsis.

Doctors remain uncertain of how long Mr Feary’s chemotherapy treatment will take.

“Brock had no white blood cells to fight off the infection and became very sick and mentally run down,” Ms Russell said.

“Luckily he is so emotionally strong and he has really helped me keep it together.

“If I saw him panicking then I would, he has taken all of this like a champion.’’

Brock had a significant journey with chemotherapy ahead, with doctors still unsure of how long his cycle of treatment will take.

Ms Russell and Mr Feary’s family have started a GoFundMe page to fundraise as the couple was unable to resume normal work hours.

They postponed their wedding after initially planning to marry on their seventh anniversary in September this year.

“Everything is so unpredictable at the moment so we’re living day by day,’’ Ms Russell said.

“We want to get married somewhere intimate with our closest family and friends when the time is right.

“We are best friends and the last six years has been so easy. Brock is so loved by everyone in his life.

“We have been so overwhelmed by the ongoing support.’’

Josh Elley, owner of High Street Barber Co at Chermside, is donating all profits from haircuts today, Saturday February 10, to Mr Feary. He is personally doubling all funds raised.