Brodie battles back from life-threatening disease

After making history as the youngest athlete to complete the grueling Coast2Coast, Brodie Seelen was forced to face his own mortality. Diagnosed with a rare condition, he underwent 18 months of treatment which included chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Now, Brodie wants to complete three endurance races in four months to raise funds for young cancer patients. He speaks to Jonty Dine about his inspiring journey.

Brodie Seelen was on top of the world after completing one of the most physically grueling endurance races in New Zealand.

However, just two weeks later, the teenager had an even more daunting beast to conquer.

Diagnosed with the auto-immune blood disease, aplastic anaemia, and missing almost half his bone marrow, Brodie was told that he may die.

“Time is one thing we are not really promised,” he says. “Life can have unexpected plans and so for me it’s about making the most of every moment and being grateful for everything I have.”

The initial prognosis for Brodie was not good.

“I got told what I had was life threatening and the best treatment was also life threatening. That’s something no 16-year-old wants to hear.”

Brodie says his life was quickly put in perspective.

“Teenagers think they are invincible and being told you are dying makes you realise you’re not; it was really confronting.”

The next 18 months saw Brodie endure a myriad medical procedures. His lowest and weakest point came on day three of chemotherapy treatment.

“My body started to react to the drugs I was on. I couldn’t stop shaking and vomiting. I just felt all round pretty miserable.”

Knowing he had four more days of the chemo , plus a bone marrow transplant to come was a terrifying reality for young Brodie.

However, he found the will he needed through his global support system.

“I got sent a video from a bunch of mates from all around the world. It was just a reminder of what I was fighting for and how much I was loved.”

Mother Mary Seelen bore witness to Brodie’s suffering but was reassured by how much strength her son had.

“He somehow managed a half pie cheeky grin and said, ‘don't worry mum, no pain, no gain’. I think that's when I knew he'd make it.”

Brodie was not alone in his battle.

When younger brother Liam got the news he was a donor match, he did not hesitate to offer a piece of himself to save his big brother’s life.

Doctors removed 1.5kg of stem cells from Liam which were transplanted into Brodie later that same day.

“He was extremely brave,” Brodie says. “Especially considering he had a phobia of needles. To go through what he did is a pretty inspiring thing and is something I will be thankful for the rest of my life. Without him I might not be here today.”

Mary says Liam was as “an absolute star”.

“The boys had always been close, but their bond is even stronger now they share something so special.”

It’s been eight months since Brodie’s bone marrow transplant and Mary says that although not completely out of the woods, he is definitely through the darkest part.

Brodie is even to begin weening off some of his medication in the coming weeks.

“The health is good right now. I have been feeling better every day, still taking it pretty easy but we are getting there.”

Though it is still a waiting game, the treatment has gone smoothly so far.

Brodie says the past 18 months have completely changed his life.

“As tough as it has been at times, I am grateful it’s happened because it has made me realise what’s important.”

As well as an accomplished endurance racer, Brodie was involved in rowing, surf lifesaving, basketball, underwater hockey, choir and drama before his illness.

“Not being able to go out and do the things you love to do was hard but after going through that I feel like I can take on any challenge I put my mind to.”

Brodie is wasting no time getting back into racing and has set himself an ambitious goal over the next six months.

Starting on December 11, Brodie will run a half ironman a year to the day after his transplant.

He will then attempt to duplicate his success in the Coast2Coast in February before he takes on a full ironman in March.

Helping him in his bid to become and Ironman, Brodie was recently announced as the Ironman NZ 2022 Tony Jackson Scholarship recipient.

This includes entry into the 2022 event and accommodation in Taupō.

He says he has a bit of a way to go before he is back to full fitness.

“Before my diagnosis, I was training 30-plus hours a week. I am chipping away at it but it definitely needs to pick up more.”

After so many hours spent in a hospital bed, Brodie is just happy to be active again.

“For the past 18 months I haven’t been able to do anything so being able to get back into something I love doing has been the most enjoyable thing.”

His goal will also double as a fundraiser for Ranui House in Christchurch and Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Services, both of which were heavily involved in Brodie’s health journey.

“It is no understatement to say I wouldn’t be here today without those amazing services. They do so much good for not only my family but other patients and their families so to give back to them in any way is pretty special. Thank you to everyone who supported me, I just can’t say thank you enough.”

To contribute to Brodie’s fundraiser please visit https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/help-patients-and-their-families-get