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Noosa dad Duncan Crosby diagnosed with deadly, rare bladder cancer

A long time Noosa business owner and father of three is travelling to Mexico to treat a rare, aggressive, deadly cancer which has changed his outlook on life – saying he knows it is not his golden ticket, but it is his last hope.

Duncan Crosby with his wife Jacque Smith. Picture: GoFundMe.
Duncan Crosby with his wife Jacque Smith. Picture: GoFundMe.

Despite being given a cruel, short death sentence, this Noosa father-of-three refuses to give up and graciously says his cancer has taught him a great deal about himself and life.

Duncan Crosby, 54, of Kin Kin, was diagnosed with a rare, high grade, muscle invasive bladder cancer in September last year.

Following months of debilitating symptoms and ongoing scans and urine tests, he was eventually given just six months to live.

The father-of-three has been working as an integrative health practitioner and massage therapist for more than 20 years on the Sunshine Coast.

He opened his own business, Noosa Ka Huna Massage Centre, along Noosa Junction, 15 years ago.

“As an integrative health practitioner I have dedicated the past 20 years to supporting my clients and community in many ways to heal their body, mind, heart and soul, with my healing hands and open heart,” he said.

Duncan Crosby and Jacque Smith. Picture: contributed.
Duncan Crosby and Jacque Smith. Picture: contributed.

Since being given just months to live, Mr Crosby has set his sights on what could be his last hope.

“Medical and diagnostic treatment here has been great, however the medical team are not able to offer me the treatment needed to support fully integrative healing,” he said.

“The doctors have told me surgery to remove my bladder is no longer an option and neither chemo or radiation therapy will be successful in treating the cancer diagnosis.

“Hope4Cancer is an integrative cancer treatment centre located in Mexico. Over the past 24 years their mission has helped to support and heal the lives of countless people that western medicine is unable to treat within the scope of their lens.

“The medical team in Mexico has the most comprehensive cancer treatment support available in the world.”

Duncan Crosby and Jacque Smith. Picture: contributed.
Duncan Crosby and Jacque Smith. Picture: contributed.

The father-of-three said he’d never forget the day of his diagnosis.

“It was a big shock,” he said.

“I remember the urology register coming in. I had my beautiful wife (Jacque Smith) there with me.

“You never want to hear that it’s cancer. Especially that it’s bad, aggressive or rare.

“It was pretty in your face.”

Following the life changing diagnosis, Mr Crosby has found himself reconsidering what life means to him.

“I’m very grateful to have my loving wife and beautiful daughters (Ruby, Lily, and Charli),” he said.

“I’ve also been very fortunate to have amazing friends, community, and health specialists who have helped and supported me through it all.

“All of the donations from the GoFundMe have also been such an amazing outpouring of love and support...it’s been very humbling.”

Duncan Crosby's three daughters; Charli, Lily, and Ruby. Picture: contributed.
Duncan Crosby's three daughters; Charli, Lily, and Ruby. Picture: contributed.

The optimistic business owner, fitted with a tube draining urine from his right kidney, is flying to Mexico next week with his wife.

“Their approach is they don't treat cancer, they treat the patient with cancer,” Mr Crosby said.

“I will be there as an in-patient for three weeks.

“I’m finally feeling really settled about it. This whole process feels surreal.”

Reflecting on the health scare, Mr Crosby said it had changed his view on life.

“The human body is so much more than just muscles and bones,” he said.

“There’s many ways to support, nourish, and heal the body.

“My wish is to bring this into more light. Traditional medicine and holistic medicine can be brought together to support many.

“I’m feeling really positive. I now know that in life there’s no guarantees on anything.

“Mexico isn't a golden ticket, but it is my last hope.

“It ultimately comes down to my deeper part of self. It’s about truly living and not just surviving.

“It’s about embracing life however that looks.

“No one knows how long they’ve got here, so life is about making the best of it with the people you love and taking it one day at a time.”

You can support Mr Crosby here.

Originally published as Noosa dad Duncan Crosby diagnosed with deadly, rare bladder cancer

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/noosa-dad-duncan-crosby-diagnosed-with-deadly-rare-bladder-cancer/news-story/ab3cd80694d8122184e96d9bfc02913d