I’d had a thing for Australia ever since I was a young boy. I used to watch Crocodile Dundee and Les Hiddins’ Bush Tucker Man, and I loved the harsh, ruggedness of the Outback. In my early twenties, I moved from Kenya to study Zoology and Conservation in the UK, and for more than a decade, I worked for The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust there. Then I met an Australian, Emma, on eHarmony. We’re very different kinds of people, so we would never have met in real life. At that time, she was really into going out and clubbing!
After we got married, we took a couple of trips to Australia. It was exactly what I thought it would be, and her parents were lovely. So when we had our son, we thought this was the place where we wanted to bring him up. Em got work here before we arrived, and I started work a few months later, on Australia Day. We felt everything was coming together – we were earning decent money, we were a family…
Then I started getting these really bad headaches. Next, I started getting vertigo problems, and finding it hard to drive. My GP sent me to get some tests done, a CT scan. And when I got back, he had a quick read of it and I remember he said, ‘Ah, it’s not good news –’
‘It’s a brain tumour.’
And I just sat there in disbelief.
Anyway, I called Em, she didn’t believe it either at first. We went straight to the hospital, where I got seen pretty quickly, and they found a tumour the size of a golf ball. Then I got operated on really well, really quickly. Apparently, the tumour was sort of round so they were able to get all of it.
I’ve been on Radiation therapy for six weeks now. Next I’ll have a four-week rest, and then Chemotherapy. We decided that during the four-week rest, we’d move to Brisbane, to be close to Emma’s family, and because it will be cheaper to live there, now that I can’t work.
I’ve had some real bad days, like when they told me my hair would fall out. My hair is usually so thick that every single time I went to the barber, the shavers would get stuck! And I feel really unbalanced now, like if I’m getting off the train, I have to hold the door just to step over that little gap. Whereas I’m the sort of person who would normally jump off trees, drive tractors, run after animals, you know. It’s been really difficult.
But through all of this, we have a wonderful two-year old who’s full of life. He’s running around, he’s bilingual, and he speaks a lot. He wants to know everything, he wants to do everything, touch everything. And I have this whole world of knowledge that I want to impart to him.
I remember when it finally sunk in after the doctor told me, when it really hit me. I collapsed, actually collapsed, and I saw my son in front of me. Not my mom or my dad. Not my wife. It was my son that I thought that I was going to lose.
As a boy, I dreamt and dreamt of Australia. I’ve been to places that people can’t even spell. I’ve lived in India for a year, I’m from Africa, been to Madagascar, lived in the UK. And I finally got to Australia, and there’s something that is trying to kill me.
But I came here to live, not to die. I’m still dreaming of seeing the Outback, as soon as I get my strength back.
Idris
Kenya
Arrived 2015
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Prayers and virtual hugs to you for a full and quick recovery and to your family and their love for you! Take care and remember those dreams ????????????????
Be brave. You can do it.
Australia is magical, it can give you everything- and take everything, but either way it fills your soul to the fullest.
Wow. Great story Idris. You and your family will love Brisbane. I wish you every happiness for the next part of your journey! I’m going through the outback next year and this helps me want to see it in a different perspective. Thank you
Power to your elbow, Idris. You’ve been dealt a horrible hand and God willing you’ll call Death’s bluff and live on to enjoy watching your Son grow to be a Man. Pawb lwc.
I’d wish you good luck but I don’t believe in luck, I think you make your own luck with your attitude and if this is the case you are the luckiest man in the world. About things like your brain tumour my mum used to say ‘its not good or bad it just is what it is’, and she got on with the business of dealing with life. Thank you Idris for coming and enriching our country with your story and your experiences. We welcome you!
Thank you for sharing your story, Idris. All you can do is treasure what you have today, as none of us can know what the future holds. All the best wishes for your recovery.
Well in that four week break, if you can, take a little time and walk a few tracks around Brisbane.
Oh, and start a journal for your child benefit. Write your life down, so that if one day you can’t speak it at least he can read it.
Many blessings in your journey, sir. My it a long and a happy adventure.
If you would like to support New Humans of Australia to keep telling stories, please visit: http://www.patreon.com/newhumansofaustralia 🙂
Good on you man! You “came here to live, not die” and you bloody better keep on living. I love this story. Wishing him all the best for his long future ahead ❤️
What an amazing story you have and it’s not ready to stop yet. Check out medicinal canabis and dietary changes too to help you through. Stay positive.
I m telling you now. Take Hemp oil. My friend was supposed to be dead 2 years ago, it has not totally cured but at a total standstill for 2 years. She has the doctors baffled.
I wish you all the best. Like you I always dreamt of Australia and being here is the best. I hope you have still years and years to enjoy all the blessings you have.
But Australia may have already saved you!
If you were in another country you may not have had access to the medical care you have been given and the ongoing care you will need. Good luck to you!
Thank you for your story Idris. Our hearts and thoughts go out to you and we wish you much love and good times with Emma and that little boy of yours and all the very best for a happy future.
We wish you, em and your little man all the very best. You have a wonderful little family and a fantastic extended family. We wish you good health from here on in so you can see this wonderful country x
Thinking of you guys! I hope it all works out soon, you are a beautiful family full of hopes and dreams! Written beautifully! Best wishes xxxxx
Good luck and be hopeful. You’ve got your beautiful son to a safe country with family who will always look after him; he’ll be ok and with the wonders of our great medical system you’ll be there to share it with him.
Wishing you all the best as you kick cancer’s butt. I live in Brisbane, and I if you and your wife want an extra friend, or some babysitting for your son, please message me. It’s a serious offer, so please feel free to take me up on both/either. ????
Idris Do you remember me from London 2005? I still got im my mind your great hospitality and I’m very sorry to hear bad news about your health. I hope you’ll win with the tumor and have a wonderful life in Australia. Maybe we will meet there one day! Good luck! ????
Such a wonderful community on NHOA. Your thoughts, well wishes and prayers lift all our spirits. Thank you all so much and to Nicola for sharing Idris’ story.
Bad things happen to good people. We miss you Idris. And the otters miss biting holes in your waders 🙂 Stay strong, as ever. You’re so lucky to have your lovely little mini-me to inspire you xxx
I hope you grow old and wrinkly in Australia and watch your son and maybe other kids grow up into the amazing people I’m sure he/they will be with a dad like you!
Hey Idris am so sorry to hear about your illness and pray for a speedy recovery for you. As always continue bring strong and am sure you will be back to climbing trees soon????Take care
Awesome Idris. I remember very well how excited you were before you left for Australia. You and Emma have been through a lot. Stay strong mate. You owe me that BBQ.. 😉
There’s news that one reads from time to time that really hits you, Idris we have never met although I have heard a deal about you from my son, your friend Kristian. Stick with your dream of Australia and from that you will derive strength which will allow you to impart your wisdom, knowledge and matters you wish to your Son. From afar I wish for you all that you desire. Kind regards David Purchase