'I had three months to live': Fans startled over TV presenter's recent revelation
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When it comes to resilience, Aussies are no strangers to stories about grit and compassion.
However, not all is as inspiring as that of Channel 10's Barry Du Bois.
Recently, Barry penned a deeply personal letter for his fans as he opened up about the moment that changed his life forever.
Many Aussies know Barry as the warm, creative force behind The Living Room, where he has charmed Australian audiences with his design know-how and big-hearted personality.
Yet, behind the scenes, Barry's journey has been marked by battles far more complicated than any home renovation.
Barry's cancer journey began in 2010 when he was diagnosed with solitary plasmacytoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
He then wrote about his cancer journey on a letter for The Gold Coast Bulletin.
He recalled the chilling moment in a hospital consultation room alongside his wife, Leonie.
'I was sitting in a cold, unfamiliar consult room at the hospital, my wife's hand holding mine…' Du Bois prefaced.
'Then a doctor who had known me for only a few hours looked me in the eye and told me I had three months to live.'
For anyone, these would be earth-shattering words.
Yet, for Barry, this was just the latest in a series of life-altering challenges.
Throughout the years, Barry Du Bois encountered several hurdles with his wife.
He had previously survived a 14-metre fall from a roof that broke his back.
On the other hand, he and Leonie had endured years of heartbreak through failed IVF attempts to conceive.
Tragically, after their 12th round of IVF ended in miscarriage, Leonie herself was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could keep going after so much loss and pain.
'When I got my diagnosis—incurable cancer, three months to live—I didn't fall apart,' Du Bois shared.
'I knew that from leaning into the previous adversities of life, I had the resilience to give the fight of my life.'
'I avoided conversation and started a continual negative conversation with myself that took me into the darkness…' he further recounted.
'Depression is a lonely state, and I refused to share my pain. I saw it as a weakness.'
Although that initial prognosis proved to be wrong, Barry's battle was far from over.
In 2017, his cancer returned, this time as multiple myeloma.
This incurable form of blood cancer attacks the immune system and bone marrow.
Despite the grim outlook, Du Bois continued to defy the odds as he lived life to the fullest.
'I was overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and the unknown,' he admitted.
'But through it all, I realised something that I feel is why I am here today: It wasn't going to be cancer that defined me but the way I choose to approach it.'
Barry Du Bois' story was one of hope as much as hardship.
He credited his family for helping him find the strength to fight back.
Barry's story should be a reminder of the importance of resilience, family, and a positive outlook, even during the darkest of times.
Barry Du Bois' openness about mental health is equally as important.
Many people, especially men of his generation, have been taught to keep their struggles to themselves.
Barry's honesty about his depression and reaching out for support is a lesson that it's okay to ask for help.
Since first appearing on our screens as a contestant on The Renovators and later as a co-host on The Living Room, Barry has shown many Aussies what it meant to live with courage and compassion.
Barry's story is a reminder that even when the odds seem insurmountable, there is always hope.
The way we choose to face adversity could make all the difference.
We wish Barry Du Bois and his family all the best.
Have you or someone you know faced a life-changing diagnosis? How did you find the strength to keep going? We'd love to hear your stories and words of encouragement in the comments below.
However, not all is as inspiring as that of Channel 10's Barry Du Bois.
Recently, Barry penned a deeply personal letter for his fans as he opened up about the moment that changed his life forever.
Many Aussies know Barry as the warm, creative force behind The Living Room, where he has charmed Australian audiences with his design know-how and big-hearted personality.
Yet, behind the scenes, Barry's journey has been marked by battles far more complicated than any home renovation.
Barry's cancer journey began in 2010 when he was diagnosed with solitary plasmacytoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
He then wrote about his cancer journey on a letter for The Gold Coast Bulletin.
Barry Du Bois (centre) recently appeared in The Morning Show on 7. Image Credit: Instagram/Barry Du Bois
He recalled the chilling moment in a hospital consultation room alongside his wife, Leonie.
'I was sitting in a cold, unfamiliar consult room at the hospital, my wife's hand holding mine…' Du Bois prefaced.
'Then a doctor who had known me for only a few hours looked me in the eye and told me I had three months to live.'
For anyone, these would be earth-shattering words.
Yet, for Barry, this was just the latest in a series of life-altering challenges.
Throughout the years, Barry Du Bois encountered several hurdles with his wife.
He had previously survived a 14-metre fall from a roof that broke his back.
On the other hand, he and Leonie had endured years of heartbreak through failed IVF attempts to conceive.
Tragically, after their 12th round of IVF ended in miscarriage, Leonie herself was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could keep going after so much loss and pain.
'When I got my diagnosis—incurable cancer, three months to live—I didn't fall apart,' Du Bois shared.
'I knew that from leaning into the previous adversities of life, I had the resilience to give the fight of my life.'
'I avoided conversation and started a continual negative conversation with myself that took me into the darkness…' he further recounted.
'Depression is a lonely state, and I refused to share my pain. I saw it as a weakness.'
Although that initial prognosis proved to be wrong, Barry's battle was far from over.
In 2017, his cancer returned, this time as multiple myeloma.
This incurable form of blood cancer attacks the immune system and bone marrow.
Despite the grim outlook, Du Bois continued to defy the odds as he lived life to the fullest.
'I was overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and the unknown,' he admitted.
'But through it all, I realised something that I feel is why I am here today: It wasn't going to be cancer that defined me but the way I choose to approach it.'
Barry Du Bois' story was one of hope as much as hardship.
He credited his family for helping him find the strength to fight back.
Barry's story should be a reminder of the importance of resilience, family, and a positive outlook, even during the darkest of times.
Barry Du Bois' openness about mental health is equally as important.
Many people, especially men of his generation, have been taught to keep their struggles to themselves.
Barry's honesty about his depression and reaching out for support is a lesson that it's okay to ask for help.
Since first appearing on our screens as a contestant on The Renovators and later as a co-host on The Living Room, Barry has shown many Aussies what it meant to live with courage and compassion.
Barry's story is a reminder that even when the odds seem insurmountable, there is always hope.
The way we choose to face adversity could make all the difference.
We wish Barry Du Bois and his family all the best.
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