A diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma turned Ben Wrankmore’s life upside down.
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A tumultuous period began for the 21-year-old in April 2015, when he was diagnosed aged just 20.
Mr Wrankmore knew something was wrong already though, having dealt with constant fatigue, a persistent cough, and night sweats.
But he says blokey stoicism prevented him from seeking medical help.
Running 100 metres at footy training left him breathless. This marked the tipping point, and Mr Wrankmore sought medical advice.
Life has changed “dramatically” since then.
Doctors told him the disease was very treatable comparable with other cancers.
However, Mr Wrankmore’s case turned out to be chemo-resistant.
He unsuccessfully trialled chemotherapy in Tasmania multiple times, and eventually had to be sent to Melbourne for treatment.
Hodgkin lymphoma affects the immune system and causes swelling of lymph node glands.
"It's just been hard to give up ... going from working full-time ... and actually having something to do, to spending all that time at hospitals," Mr Wrankmore said.
His road to recovery has been long and littered with disruptive treatment.
He travelled to Melbourne for radiation in early September 2016. Subsequently he briefly returned home to Tasmania, before travelling to Melbourne for a stem cell transplant in November.
Mr Wrankmore’s brother donated stem cells to be used as a prevention method for his recovery.
"It was a lot different than I expected, it sort of just wears you down slowly,” Mr Wrankmore said.
“It's just a really slow process, not very pleasant."
Mr Wrankmore was told he was in remission following radiation, and stem cells were used as a precaution. He remains in Melbourne, and will undergo another scan in about a month to ensure his health.
"I'm fairly certain that the doctors ... are pretty confident that after this stem-cell transplant it won't come back," he said.
Before the ordeal, Mr Wrankmore said he was a “typical” young man, focused on work. He had just bought a house.
"I just feel like everything was good, and everything's just been tipped on its head really," he said.
"It’s just going to be a struggle to get back to normality really, to fit back in and try and get back to as normal as possible.
“That's my main aim really."
He said he was very thankful for the Leukaemia Foundation’s invaluable support, particularly the care they took in checking in on his welfare.
