Every word comes with effort for Paul Redding, the Albion Park Rail father who pauses frequently as pain grips his body. At just 33 years old, he's facing his toughest battle yet - recovering from life-saving kidney cancer surgery while fighting to keep his family home and be there for his three young children.
The shocking diagnosis that changed everything
Four days ago, surgeons removed Paul's right kidney to stop an aggressive stage three tumour that had grown to seven centimetres and was taking over two-thirds of the organ. The cancer had been expanding at an alarming rate of approximately 1.5 centimetres each month.
The personal trainer from Fitness Cartel in Albion Park Rail described his removed kidney as looking "like a placenta" after viewing post-surgery images. While the operation potentially saved his life, it has left him in constant pain and unable to work, creating a perfect storm of medical and financial challenges for his young family.
A family history that adds to the fear
Sitting beside his wife Ashley on November 18, Paul's breathing remains laboured as he discusses what comes next. Ashley now serves as full-time mother to their children Elliott, 5, Scarlette, 3, and Summer, 8 months, while also acting as her husband's primary carer during his recovery.
Beyond the immediate cancer concerns, Paul worries about his troubling family medical history. "The family's got a history passing away at 38 to 50 years old from like an aortic aneurysm," he explained. "The aortic artery of the heart is known for rupturing and bleeding into the chest cavity. I'm 33 so I just want to make sure I'm still around for my kids."
This isn't Paul's first health battle - he's previously overcome skin cancer and deals with ongoing vascular issues. The kidney cancer discovery came unexpectedly during recovery from a hemiplegic migraine and series of small strokes earlier this year.
Mounting bills and uncertain future
The financial impact has been immediate and severe. The kidney surgery alone cost $19,000, and as the sole income earner for his family of five, Paul estimates they'll need approximately $20,000 to cover basic living expenses over the next three months of recovery.
Ashley revealed they didn't have income protection insurance, leaving the family in a precarious position. "Paul's the only person supporting our family of five, we're just sort of having to wait to see what he can do," she said, adding that despite the challenges, "He's in the trenches and he just keeps going."
The couple, together for 13 years, has received support from friends, family, and volunteers from All Saints Albion Park church, who have provided cooked meals during this difficult period.
To help bridge the financial gap and save their family home, Paul and Ashley have started a GoFundMe campaign, hoping the community will rally around them during this critical time.
