Former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer has revealed the leukaemia prognosis is ‘not so good’ and he had ‘accelerated his bucket list’.
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In 2017, the former member for Farrer was diagnosed with announced acute myeloid leukaemia.
In October he publicly announced he was undergoing treatment in Melbourne.
ABC’s Australian Story on Monday, explored Mr Fischer’s son Harrison, his life with autism and his father Tim Fischer’s battle with acute myeloid leukaemia.
The former deputy Prime Minister told the program his prognosis was ‘not so good’ but he had accepted that fact.
Mr Fischer said specialists had suggested his immunity was diminished because of exposure to chemical Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
He has previously been diagnosed with bladder cancer, prostate cancer and two melanomas.
But his wife, Judy Brewer said it had not slowed Mr Fischer.
“It’s very hard for Tim to slow down and give the time to fighting [cancer],” Ms Brewer said.
Mr Fischer and Ms Brewer said all parents who have a child or children with a disability worry about what will happen to their child when they are gone.
She said Mr Fischer’s diagnosis had brought the concern into focus.
“As a parent you worry,” Ms Brewer told the program.
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When Harrison was a boy, Mr Fischer and Ms Brewer were told he would likely never live independently or hold down a job.
The 25-year-old currently lives out of his family home at Elmwood housing development and is employed as a part time technology assistant and mentor at St Monica’s Primary School.
“When I look at where he is now, in 2018, I am absolutely astounded how far he’s come,” Ms Brewer said.
Mr Fischer said it was a relief to know Harrison had found his place in life.
“I have accelerated my bucket list for obvious reasons. I’m going to enjoy every day and I hope Harrison will go on to enjoy the rest of his life,” he said.
“But I will eventually leave planet earth, sooner or later, in the knowledge Harrison is far better placed than he was 10 years ago or 20 years ago.”
Australian Story also revealed Harrison Fischer had three tumours removed from his brain in recent years.
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