Dear family and friends,

Please help raise funds to give me the gift of my lifetime - a beautiful glass photographic portrait of myself by world-renowned portrait and fashion photographer Robbie Merritt - and support the work of an incredible local charity - Cancer Support WA.

Please show your support by sponsoring my portrait.

Thank you

Mike Sowerby

My Story

I am Mike; I am 56 yrs old, loving life and have a story to tell about cancer.

At the age of 19, cancer diagnosis confronted me with the terrible realisation of how precarious and fragile life can be; and how courage, support, and a willingness to see things differently, created an opportunity for  hope and  optimism I am still living out today.

I dreamed of being a country vet, a real James Harriet! I had moved from South Australia to WA to begin my studies, keeping up my athletics training, meeting new people, life was exciting and full. I had so much to live for.

Eighteen months into my study I was diagnosed with a nephrosarcoma (kidney cancer) with secondary spread to my lymph and spine. My medical prognosis was a grim   6-12 months at best. To consider the possibility that I would not see my 21st birthday, nor complete my studies, not be around to marry, have kids, not die a contented old man, this was a truly terrifying proposition.

And….. amongst the chaos and crisis of cancer diagnosis, there can be fortuitous meetings , in my case meeting Ian and Gayle Gawler( Ian having survived osteogenic sarcoma involving amputation of his right leg).Talking with Ian and Gayle was the beginning  of a number of treasured meetings with remarkable people whose learning and experience with cancer help guide me to a richer understanding of how to help myself.

Ian’s recovery back to health, my hearing of other stories of recovery, in spite of poor odds, lead me to believe I could , needed to help my self. If I was going to have a chance at the life I wanted to live, I needed to think outside the ‘square’.

There’s a wise old saying ‘keep it simple’, it’s an important thing to remember in the complex mental, emotional rollercoaster ride of cancer. Not always easy to manage, yet such a relief when it happens. It took time to work this out, focusing  on what is best called a  detoxification program ( along the guidelines of the Gerson Program). Getting my bodily system in the best shape I could in order to be well, to support my body in recognising cancer cells, so as to  deal with them, to recognise that healing is our natural inclination and to support that process.

Good nutrition in combination with daily meditation practice, having a place of genuine calm and stillness to move from, gave me confidence in the choices I was making, especially when the going got rough. Importantly too, has been a  good dose of soul searching, how is it that a fit young bloke gets a nasty cancer diagnosis, what am I to learn from this experience; about me, and about the best ways for me to live my life?

 Little by little, a deepening confidence and sense of belief in me was growing , I realised the choices I was making counted, and although still  looking very thin, and not always looking like I was going to make it, I began to heal.

The story of healing is an ongoing story, not so much the lumps and bumps of cancer, but the realisation that it’s a daily call if you like, to find the best in our situation, to bring where ever possible humour to the ‘horrible’, and to keep saying yes to the invitation: LIVE IN THE PRESENT .

I want to say one last thing, an important recognition about support. Gayle’s dedicated care of Ian, the care and support from my dear friends, the countless tales of deep abiding love and dedication by loved ones is for me the heart and soul of so many healing stories.

Sadly and respectfully I also acknowledge that not all healing stories end in a much longer life. To the many people with whom I have come to share so much, who became friends, who lived in great courage, wisdom, and dignity, yet have passed away all too soon, my deepest gratitude for the great many memories of lives well lived. To their loved ones, also people of great courage and dignity, my cherished feelings of respect for your living in love in the face of such painful loss.

Thank you

Mike Sowerby