Bartley Family Battles Against Cancer

In July 2018, Tracey had a cough that just wouldn't go away.  Her symptoms were so severe that she was hospitalised and was being treated with what we all thought was a bout of pneumonia.  A few days later, Tracey was diagnosed with Advanced Lung Cancer.  We were all in shock.  Tracey is a non-smoker - surely not.  But as research has shown us, lung cancer can affect smokers and non-smokers.  Traceys fight against this awful disease had begun.

Not only were Tracey, Jason and their two beautiful daughters, Kate and Layne, trying to understand and make sense of what was happening, Traceys mum, Lyn, was diagnosed only days before with breast cancer.  Mother and daughter were both now fighting cancer at the same time.

Further tests on Tracey revealed that there were secondary cancers which had spread to her lymph glands and her brain.  Tracey was rushed to Brisbane to have an operation to release the fluid from around her heart.

Tracey was placed on a tablet to treat the cancer.  This came with its own side effects which she bravely endured.  On Christmas Eve 2018, Tracey took herself to the emergency ward as her cough had returned.  Tracey desperately wanted to be home for Christmas and after the doctors deliberated, they allowed her to go home.  An X-ray and CT scan later revealed a change in her lungs and that the tablet was no longer being effective.  Tracey and Jason were given the news that the next course of action would be chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Tracey began chemotherapy and immunotherapy in January 2019 and she has had 4 out of the 6 treatments originally planned.  The last treatment has really knocked our Tracey for six.  She has been struggling to eat and drink and this has resulted in severe dehydration which has seen her hospitalised with extended stays twice in the past few weeks.  Her chemotherapy has been stopped at this point in time.

While Jason and Tracey and the girls are going through this battle of a lifetime, the normality of life doesn't stop.  Not only do they now have medical bills to fund, they obviously still have all of the normal household and family financial commitments like the rest of us.  Tracey has used all of her sick leave and is unable to return to work (even though she desperately wants to!) and Jason is taking time off work to be with her and support her in anyway he can.

Tracey is and always has been a beautiful, caring and supportive person.  She would do anything for anyone at anytime.  She loves her girls and Jason is her rock, her partner in crime.  They are a normal family who loved to go travelling in their caravan, watch Kate and Layne in their dancing and cheerleading activities and cheer on the Broncos every weekend.

We, her family and friends, are rallying around Tracey to give her the love and support she needs to fight this horrible disease but unfortunately, love and support will only go so far.  We are actively seeking financial donations for Tracey and her family.  We are hoping that this will relieve some of the financial stresses that will inevitably come up and allow them to focus all their energies on Tracey and help them all through this battle.

Any assistance would be sincerely appreciated.  Thank you for taking the time to read the story of Traceys battle.