Jack Richards used to count backwards and wait for unconsciousness.

Undergoing an extreme form of chemotherapy for a rare tissue cancer, he'd request powerful antihistamine injections to buy some peace in a week of "not being able to look at food, vomiting consistently [and being fed] through nose tubes".

Cancer sufferer Jack Richards having a blood transfusion at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Credit:Dean Sewell

"I'd have six hours gone," said the 24-year-old from Stanmore, in his eighth year of treatment for recurring Ewing Sarcoma. "You just look at the clock and wait for the time you're not on chemo any more."

Something else helped too: the occasional joint.