Frederico, 33, was delighted when he found out he was going to be a dad for the first time. But that same day he was given a devastating diagnosis that changed everything…
When Federico Capitani heard at the end of June that he was going to be a father for the first time, he had mixed feelings.
A few hours earlier, the otherwise healthy and fit father-to-be had received the shocking diagnosis of cancer.
The 33-year-old, who is from Milan but has lived in Sydney for 10 years, has osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and his only symptom was a 10cm lump that appeared on his right side under his armpit.
Frederico was devastated by the news and spent the day alone, trying to process the news and wondering how to tell his girlfriend Gisela, 33.
“It was probably the saddest moment of my life,” he told FEMAIL.
But later that evening Gisela had news of her own and she jumped through the door, beaming with joy.
“I’m pregnant!” she announced, immediately wiping all thoughts of cancer from Frederico’s mind.
But Gisela felt something was wrong and he couldn’t keep it to himself.
Federico Capitani (pictured with girlfriend Gisela) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, one morning in late June. Later that same day, Gisela revealed she was pregnant
The only symptom was a 10cm lump that appeared on his right side under his armpit
“I was overwhelmed and couldn’t believe it, but I had to tell her I had cancer. We held each other and cried, because we knew my life was in danger,” he recalled.
The diagnosis sent shockwaves through his network of close family and friends, as Federico has always been fit and healthy and has followed a balanced diet.
He goes to the gym five times a week, plays football twice a week and goes running 5 km with Gisela once a week.
There is also no family history of the disease, apart from his grandfather who had prostate cancer.
In March, Federico felt severe pain and discomfort after lying on his right side for 20 minutes. Then, in the shower, he noticed a lump that did not hurt to the touch, which he initially thought was a hernia or skin growth.
“I looked in the mirror, raised my hand, and saw that there was something there. But I never thought it was cancer,” he said.
The diagnosis came as a shock because Federico is fit, healthy and energetic. He goes to the gym five times a week, plays football twice a week and goes for a 5 km run with Gisela once a week.
Little did he know that the cancerous tumor between his sixth and ninth ribs was the size of a lemon. It has now grown to the size of an orange in just six weeks.
Federico made an appointment with his GP, who immediately referred him for tests.
Because he had a visa and no access to Medicare, he had to pay his medical bills out of pocket.
“It wasn’t clear what kind of lump it was and I started to get worried so I had a biopsy done at St Vincent’s Hospital and within a week the results came back and I was diagnosed,” he said.
‘I thought my life was coming to an end, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what the meaning of life was anymore. The first thing that came to my mind was to go back to Italy and be with my family.’
The wonderful pregnancy news has given Federico a driving ambition to fight cancer
But the pregnancy was the hope he needed to keep going.
“I thought maybe there was a reason to continue. I knew I had to get this fixed to support my future,” he added.
At this point, the tumor has reached its maximum capacity in the small space between his ribs and doctors are unsure if it is affecting his lungs.
Federico was scheduled to undergo three separate operations at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on August 30 to remove the tumor.
Unfortunately, this was postponed because the medical team could not offer a good solution for the reconstruction of the chest.
“The company they were going to use it for just went bankrupt, so his team decided not to exploit me anymore,” Federico explains.
That means he will likely have to wait two to three months for surgery with a new medical team.
Now all he can do is wait for the call for surgery. Because he has a visa and no access to Medicare
Federico stressed that he has no time to lose and hopes the operation can be performed as soon as possible.
“I’m disappointed with the whole situation. There’s a part of me that feels responsible for it somehow,” he said.
“I asked myself, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ At 33, I didn’t really feel like it was my time.”
Doctors also aren’t sure what causes the cancer. Surgeons have suggested that osteosarcoma and soft-tissue sarcoma can develop when cells in muscles or bones suddenly change their DNA for no apparent reason.
They also suggested that it could possibly be caused by exposure to chemicals, possibly in tap water or non-organic fruits and vegetables.
Federico indicated that he was already eating mainly organic foods and not drinking much tap water, so the cause remains unknown.
Now all he can do is wait for the call for surgery.
In the bullet points you will find a link to Federico’s GoFundMe campaign