When Kon Galanis reflects on the past decade of his life, the word that comes up again and again is resilience.
A Senior Business Analyst based in Sydney, Kon had built a busy career and family life when everything began to change. Within a short period, he was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease, and then bowel cancer.
“In 2017, I was 41 diagnosed with Parkinson’s. About a year after, I was diagnosed with [stage four] bowel cancer,” he says.
But his cancer journey didn’t start with a dramatic moment. Like many people, the early symptoms were easy to overlook.
“For about a couple of years, I had black discharge, with unexplained occasional cramps that I didn’t really think anything about it,” he recalls.
“It was the increasing occurrence of stomach pains that led me to investigate. However, I had not put the two together. Even the colorectal doctor dismissed it as probably as a typhoid like virus. Apparently, I was too young for bowel cancer. That was wrong impression as, it wasn’t until a colonoscopy a few weeks later that Kon received the news.
“I woke up and the doctors told me they had found a growth in my bowel. I was like, ‘what does that mean. He was so devastated he could not say the words, but I knew what he meant. I had cancerous polyp in my bowel.”
A long road ahead
Kon underwent surgery soon after his diagnosis, followed by months of chemotherapy.
At first, things seemed to be under control and Kon was able to go to Europe for a holiday in 2019, at that point thinking he was cancer free.
But in 2020, scans revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs.
“Two spots had grown, but nonetheless, it was metastasised,” he says.
This meant further treatment, including radiotherapy and another, more intense round of chemotherapy.
“That was actually the hardest part… it was a lot more potent,” he says.
At the same time, Kon was navigating other major life challenges. His father, who was living with dementia, needed care. The toll on his mental health began to build.
Kon was diagnosed with clinical depression and stepped away from work to focus on his health and his family.
“I made a vow to myself that I’m going to get out of it,” he says.
Finding strength through family
Throughout everything, Kon’s family, including his wife and two young sons, became his anchor.
“I’ve got my wife. She’s been there every time I’ve had a surgery… my family are very supportive,” he says.
Being open with his boys helped them understand what was happening.
“They know what I’ve been through. They know the challenges I’ve had… the boys are quite proud of me,” he says.
After years of treatment, setbacks and recovery, Kon is now cancer-free and continuing to live with Parkinson’s. Surviving cancer has changed his outlook on life.
“You get caught up in your life… and you forget about everything,” he says. “It’s good to actually have that moment to reflect.”
That reflection has led him to explore new creative outlets, including writing poetry and taking acting classes to process what he’s been through.
Nebulae of Cancer – Kon Galanis
Traveling near the speed of light
In the spaceship of life
I saw the pitch-black vacuum of my twin galaxies
Where two black holes lay
Ripping the solar system apart
Outgrowing their surroundings
Like cyclones eating everything in sight
I deployed nuclear phasers
Collapsing the horizon
Into a Nebula of Cancer
Scattered like dust
across the night sky,
And the bronchi
Of my life flash on by
Giving back
Now, Kon is focused on using his experience to support others.
“I just want to give back to the community and show that resilience is possible,” he says.
He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help others feel less alone – especially those facing similar diagnoses or navigating complex challenges.
“It’s important for other people to connect,” he says.
His message is simple but powerful: even through uncertainty, hardship and fear, resilience can grow.
Looking back on everything he has faced cancer, Kon is focused on moving forward with purpose.
“I want to be able to give back… in any way possible,” he says.
For cancer information and support call Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Information and Support line.
