" Like a lot of old blokes, I'd never been to the doctor - we think we're bullet proof. But, when I had swelling near my waist and I was in pain, I knew it was finally time to go."
Rob, who is from Deniliquin - a small town of 6000 people located 300km from Melbourne and 165kms from Bendigo - became a hospital patient for the first time after tests confirmed he had an aggressive carcinoma.
"The first thing I said was, Doc, my only concern is not seeing Hawthorn win another flag. You've got to find a sense of humour in situations like this," he said.
An intensive four weeks of radiation and chemotherapy was successful in tackling the cancer initially, however, routine follow-up scans confirmed the cancer was back almost a year to the day of the initial diagnosis.
Because of Bendigo Health's oncology partnership with Echuca Regional Health, Rob was able to be seen in Echuca, shaving an extra two-hours of travel time in what was a mentally tough time.
"This time, rather than more radiation and chemotherapy, a clinical trial was suggested for me. I had no idea what one was, but I knew I was in the best hands, I was happy to do what they suggested," he said.
Rob would then go on to an immunotherapy clinical trial, which, fast-forward to today has shown such great results that the cancer is currently undetectable and he is now in follow-up care.
"The results have been incredible. We need to make sure regional and rural people know about clinical trials and continue to have and know they're available," he said.
“I have so much to live for, I love life, we have a great life here – beautiful river, a safe community, and I have a three-year-old grandson I want to stick around for.
"If my mates ask me what a clinical trial is, I say it's the treatment that will supersede what's currently available.
"The Bendigo Health oncology team are the best, and it didn’t cost me anything to access this amazing clinical trial."