While a shock blood cancer diagnosis put 34-year-old Josh Gourlay’s life temporarily on hold, it also presented him with a new mindset, and new opportunities.

In June 2021, Josh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). After a routine blood test returned with some abnormalities, Josh was sent for a second blood test before being diagnosed with blood cancer. Straight away, he had to begin treatment at the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania.

The months that followed were grueling to say the least. “[It was an] absolutely wild ride. I had more injections than I ever felt I’d be comfortable with, I was poisoned with gosh knows how many litres of chemotherapy, I miraculously gained 6kg, still had a reasonable head of hair on me and still, after all of that, was in remission and kicking this cancer fair in the butt with minimal side effects,” Josh says.

Josh had to relocate to Brisbane to undergo a stem cell transplant which occurred that December – six months after his diagnosis.

For Josh, it was somewhat poetic that he was discharged on the 1st of January 2022 – symbolising a new year for a new person. A new beginning, with new opportunities, and ultimately new stem cells from a 41-year-old German man who Josh credits for saving his life.

“If that is not the single most literal definition of new year, new me, I will eat my foot.”

Nearly three years on, Josh remains cancer free and has returned to his ‘new normal’ after blood cancer. But as he describes, regaining that sense of normality – including returning to work – was a challenge.

Before he was diagnosed, Josh provided consultancy services to the public service. “Recruitment, HR, functionality. I was doing that before I got diagnosed, had some time off for my little bump in the road and was very fortunate to be able to basically resume at a time of my choosing when I was ready post-achieving remission.”

Being an external adviser and consultant to organisations and not an employee, Josh wasn’t able to receive paid sick leave, and was at risk of losing his client base.
However, his clients were very understanding of the situation. “I was very well supported and looked after even as a consultant who’s external.”

One strategy Josh used was to maintain good relationships with his clientele, keeping them informed and updated throughout his journey so the door was always left open for a return.

“I have a very good relationship with the people that I work with and I made sure that I kept them as informed as possible when needed and let them know things are tracking well. That I’m okay.”

“I told them that I’d let them know if anything changes and when I’m ready to come back, and they always maintained the doors open.”

When Josh was eventually ready to return to work, it was a comfortable transition because of the solid foundations he maintained with his clients.

In June 2022, Josh decided it was time for a change of environment and relocated to Canberra.

“I felt that I needed to just remove myself from just everything that reminded me of the last few years. So it gave me the time to get to know me again in a place that was unfamiliar, that was neutral, that I could have time for myself to love me again and work out what do I want to do.”

And it was this impulse move to another state that led Josh to his new partner Michael, who he describes as ‘one of the greatest blessings’ out of his blood cancer experience.

“It was an unexpected, wonderful surprise. So that in itself has also been an incredibly different experience because they’re not fully aware and completely understanding of everything that I’ve just been through because to them, I’m just Josh, the person who presents in front of them.”

Josh doesn’t plan to waste his new lease on life, and is excited about life’s next chapter beyond blood cancer.

“Cancer did not destroy me, but it is always going to be a part of me. It taught me that life is confusing, exciting, beautiful, challenging, full of hope and fear, darkness and light. Life itself is the cliche and it is absolutely wonderful.”

“Life is short. Life is unexpected. I’m a very lucky person, and plan to make the most out of the time that I’ve been given. I’m going to find every piece of joy and happiness that brings me meaning. So that when my time comes, I can look back and reflect and say, ‘what a ride it’s been’.”

If you would like to learn more about Josh’s blood cancer journey, listen to the latest episode of the ‘Talking Blood Cancer’ podcast where he joins host Maryanne Skarparis to share his story.

Visit our web page for more information about returning to work after a blood cancer diagnosis or treatment.

If you still have questions, you can call our Blood Cancer Support Coordinators on 1800 620 420.