‘I don’t fear the reaper’ - Topliss
Nevil Topliss is determined to give the middle finger to cancer.
‘‘I’m fighting it,’’ the New Plymouth man said.
‘‘I don’t accept it. It’s just a foreign body to me.
‘‘I feel like if I accept it, I’ve given in and I don’t want that to happen,’’ the 67-year-old said.
In 2014, Topliss was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was given 12 months to live.
‘‘It was just like being smacked in the head with a hammer.
‘‘The doctor told me just to go home, make a bucket list and get my affairs in order,’’ he said.
Three years on, the grandfather-of-nine is still here but it hasn’t been easy.
This year, he found out the cancer had spread to his bowel and liver. He’s had surgery and is on his final round of chemotherapy, but while he might be down - he’s definitely not out. It’s not the first time Topliss has faced adversity. While working overseas on an oil rig, Topliss broke his back and for years had limited use of his legs.
After groundbreaking surgery in 2012, 86 screws and rods were installed into his body, giving him the ability to stand and walk again.
The surgery gave Topliss his life back, so there is no way he is going to let cancer take it away.
As a sign of support for Topliss’ fight, a motorcycle run was held on Saturday, organised by friend Bruce Harkness. The group made a round trip from New Plymouth to Hawera to pay tribute to Topliss and ride in support of his, and others’, battle against the deadly disease.
Topliss said he had been ‘‘dumbstruck’’ when he first heard about the event. ‘‘It’s not about me, it’s about all other cancer sufferers as well,’’ he said. Topliss’ refusal to give up is one of the reasons he thinks he is still alive.
Topliss said he did contemplate death now and again and had watched on as people he attended chemotherapy with succumb to the disease. But he’s not scared. ‘‘I don’t fear the reaper.’’ One thing he is clear about is that he doesn’t want his family to see him suffer. His wife Lyn and their four children have been his pillars of support, he said.
‘‘They’ve been my strength.’’