It's been a rough month for Frank Gullotta.
In mid-September his mum Maria died, and two days later he discovered he had stage four liver cancer and bowel cancer. He's been given six months to live without treatment, 2-2.5 years with treatment.
"It's been an enormous shock," the Glenbrook man said.
"The pain really knocks you around - I wish I didn't have this pain, life would be so much simpler."
He's trying to grieve for his mum, but is being kept busy with myriad medical appointments as he navigates chemotherapy treatment.
As the 61-year-old is no longer able to work at his business Blue Mountains Windscreens that he's run for 30 years, two of his sons have stepped in to help.
"Servicing the Mountains I've gotten to meet a lot of lovely people," Mr Gullotta said.
One of his sons has begged him to see out his newly born grandson Logan's first birthday. Mr Gullotta is determined to make it.
He's hoping the support of family and friends, and exercise and playing music when he's well enough, will get him through.
"If I can get rid of the pain I will go back to drumming," said the man who enjoys drumming with Hands, Heart and Feet.
But the bills keep coming. Concerned friends have started an online fundraiser to help cover the cost of treatment and day-to-day living expenses.
