Brisbane real estate principal Scott Darwon says this Father’s Day will be “extra special” after undergoing life-saving surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his brain.
The Ray White Bulimba selling principal and 40-year-old father-of-two has a 15cm scar across his head – a constant reminder of how quickly life can change.
“I literally felt my life had been flipped upside down,” Mr Darwon said.
Mr Darwon said as he approached his 40th birthday earlier this year, he decided to get some health tests and blood work done at Bespoke Medical Clinic on the Gold Coast
“I felt a bit low on energy and was looking for a quick fix,” Mr Darwon said.
Mr Darwon said an MRI identified the tumour in his brain.
“I was so shocked when I got the call,” Mr Darwon said.
“I had thrown in a brain health scan for good measure, and a couple of weeks later I got a phone call I will never forget.
“For about 18 months I had some minor memory issues and I had fobbed it off – I was waiting for it to get better.
“I thought it could be related to stress or lack of sleep.”
Mr Darwon’s tears flowed when he realised how soon he required brain surgery
“It was only three weeks from when I was diagnosed – It was a tough few days, and it was right before Cyclone Alfred hit,” he said.
“I kept a brave face, but I was terrified.
“I did a 48-hour self-imposed lock down to get the house prepped, and to keep my mind busy.”
Mr Darwon described his wife Holly as “stoic and really strong” during his health battle.
“Holly was the rudder of the family,” he said.
His children Walter (4) and Dottie (2) call their dad’s battlescar an “ouchie”.
“I had 20 stitches and the tumour was 2.5cm by 1.5cm in the left top part of my brain,” Mr Darwon said.
“I still remember seeing the kids after getting the news and I had just thought the worst – those moments will stay with me forever.
“You love your kids regardless, but this just gives you a strong reason to know you are not here forever and to do the best with the time you’ve got.
“I’m a lucky man.”
For now, the cancer is gone, but doctors have warned Mr Darwon it could return in around 10 years, and he needs regular check ups.
Just one week after having surgery at Mater Private Hospital in South Brisbane, Mr Darwon was back in his Bulimba office working alongside his much-loved and dedicated team.
“I am no different to any other real estate dad,” he said.
“It’s a hard job to juggle with kids and there’s no right or wrong answer. We have agents who want to give more time to their kids, and others who want to work really hard now and spend time with them later.
“Real estate and fatherhood can be a challenging thing, but there’s some really beautiful things about it – I can pop home for lunch and see the family!”
Mr Darwon plans to enjoy Father’s Day with his family, and is looking forward to a Christmas holiday in Caloundra at the end of the year, and is reminding anyone and everyone to get an MRI for early detection.
