The family have been overwhelmed by the support of their community, and particularly CDHBU, the football club that has been such a big part of the Rippingale family’s life.
CDHBU has helped raise ??? to support Caity and Joel as they navigate their journey and is also helping to raise awareness of brain cancer by sharing other people’s stories, like Greg’s.
In 2013, Greg’s life changed forever when he was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, a rare type of brain tumour.
It began with what seemed like a minor issue; he could hear his heartbeat in his ears at night. Doctors initially diagnosed it as tinnitus.
Six months later, a second opinion pointed to high blood pressure. But Greg knew something wasn’t right. On Christmas Day, he mentioned a new, unusual noise in his head, different from before.
That prompted a third consultation with Dr Murray, who referred him to an ENT specialist.
Greg had his appointment on a Thursday and the very next day, the clinic called.
The doctor asked, “are you busy?”.
He was, Greg was a new business owner, having purchased local company, Border Bearings, 12 months earlier.
The doctor calmly responded, “I’ll wait, I’ll keep the office open until you get here”.
What followed was a whirlwind.
Tests had revealed an eight-centimetre tumour deep in the centre of Greg’s brain.
Renowned neurosurgeon, James King performed two major craniotomies to remove it with the first lasting eight hours, the second, six weeks later, lasted seven hours.
The tumour was diagnosed as a Grade 2 oligodendroglioma.
Though doctors advised three months off work, Greg returned after three weeks. He felt good and was bored at home.
He didn’t need chemotherapy but underwent 28 rounds of radiation therapy over six weeks; 28 doses, every morning, Monday through Friday, for almost six weeks.
Then came seven stable years of regular MRIs, each one nerve-wracking, until one scan showed a small, non-aggressive regrowth.
Greg faced more radiation and started oral medication, which initially seemed manageable, until it began affecting his liver.
The treatment had to stop, another adjustment, another new normal.
Through it all, Greg’s strength and optimism never wavered.
“If there’s any advice I could give, it’s this; have a good, positive attitude,” he said.
“I believe it makes all the difference.”
Today Greg is doing well and living a relatively normal life, besides visiting with his oncologist every three weeks for an infusion and attending three monthly MRI appointments.
He is a father, grandfather, son, brother, and a friend who approaches life with gratitude and strength.s journey is a testament to early detection, trusting your instincts, and refusing to settle for the first explanation when your gut says otherwise.
