Emma & her family's fight with cancer
Donation protected
This is Emma, with her gorgeous family. What should be an amazing time in her life with the recent arrival of her second child Charlie, her 4 month old son - has turned into the reality, that she is battling for her life. Emma has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a pre leukemia which requires a Bone Marrow transplant from her sister, to give her, her only chance of a cure. Without this, the MDS will turn itself into Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) to which the doctors have deemed there is no cure.
Emma's journey hasn't been a simple one - it's been tough, filled with highs, lows and an unbelievable amount of strength. It began in 2014, at just 17, when she was initially diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. A rare and extremely aggressive form of bone cancer. She had just given birth to her first baby Casey-Lee - a beautiful healthy little girl. It was shortly after, when Casey was only 3 months, that Emma's diagnosis was confirmed. During this time of her life, Emma battled for two years - spending a total of 126 overnight stays in hospital, received 8 months of chemotherapy, radiation and a major reconstruction on her hip and femur - she battled a fight that the doctors only gave a slim chance of survival to. But pulled through, never gave up and like an absolute champion, received the news that she had beaten bone cancer and was formally entering remission.
Not long after, in 2018 her daughter Casey-Lee (4 years old at the time) started showing symptoms and was diagnosed with precocious puberty (which means she was going through accelerated puberty). After further investigation from the doctors - they learnt that the reason for this, was due to the fact that she had a large tumour on her adrenal gland and she was later re-diagnosed with Adrenal Carcinoma. Again a very rare and aggressive form of cancer, that in most instances has a little to no chance of survival. The tumour found was the size of a lemon (approx 5-7cm). But someone was on our side, luckily the cancer formed its own sack and resulted in the doctors being able to remove this via surgery without her having to endure the wrath of chemotherapy.
However, the rarity of both cancers from Emma & Casey, at such a young age prompted the doctors to dig a little deeper, as it was unusual circumstances for both to have these forms of cancer. After a number of tests, the team of doctors confirmed an unfortunate reality that Emma, Casey & Charlie now face. A gene mutation, called TP53 - this gene discrepancy is not a kind one, it's a rare and angry condition which essentially means that the body is unable to fight off cancerous tumours - meaning that Emma, Casey & Charlie will all face the battle of cancer through their lives - not just once, but multiple times. The reality is that each of them are at a 95% chance of developing aggressive cancers at all stages of their lives, age does not discriminate. There is no cure, there is barely any research but there is the brutal reality that cancer will always continue to rear its head up throughout their lives.
Now we head back, learning that both Emma & Casey have this situation (prior to Charlie being born) - Emma decided to undergo a precautionary double Mastectomy, with the aim to prevent Breast Cancer. During the surgery they found a pre-cancerous lump, that was 7cm. This again, was a close call - but thankfully, was caught in time before it could turn itself into something extremely ugly.
After the treatment of bone cancer, Emma was deemed infertile and had started the process of IVF with her partner James, to grow their little family. They then, by miracle fell pregnant on their own with their gorgeous son Charlie. 20 weeks later, the heartbreaking news hit. The confirmation that Emma had been diagnosed with MDS. We start to learn, that this was not developed as a result of the genetic issue - but as a result of her chemotherapy treatment when she was battling Osteosarcoma. The MDS treatment, requires a multi-layered approach. She is currently having chemotherapy to help slow down the process of it turning into ALL, then follows the bone marrow transplant and continuing with chemotherapy. There is no certainty that the bone marrow donation will work, as donors need to be matched at least a 85% compatibility - our closet match is 50%. We have no idea where this will lead us, and can only remain positive that there is light at the end of this tunnel too. The transplant is due to take place early this year. She continues to be a loving and caring Mum - but will be faced with a significant amount of time in hospital. Her partner James, will be supporting her as a primary caretaker as well as supporting the two kids. He is a sub-contractor and will need to take 5-6 months off work to support during this time - resulting in a heavy financial burden.
We ask if you can spare a dollar or two, the funds raised will be used to help ease the financial burden of ongoing, daily bills and general living expenses. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. As one final request, we ask if you are able to, to join the registry to become a bone marrow donor. There is only approximately 100,000 people on the registry in Australia, none of which are of Indigenous decent. This needs to change and by registering, you could help save a life like Emma’s.
Emma's journey hasn't been a simple one - it's been tough, filled with highs, lows and an unbelievable amount of strength. It began in 2014, at just 17, when she was initially diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. A rare and extremely aggressive form of bone cancer. She had just given birth to her first baby Casey-Lee - a beautiful healthy little girl. It was shortly after, when Casey was only 3 months, that Emma's diagnosis was confirmed. During this time of her life, Emma battled for two years - spending a total of 126 overnight stays in hospital, received 8 months of chemotherapy, radiation and a major reconstruction on her hip and femur - she battled a fight that the doctors only gave a slim chance of survival to. But pulled through, never gave up and like an absolute champion, received the news that she had beaten bone cancer and was formally entering remission.
Not long after, in 2018 her daughter Casey-Lee (4 years old at the time) started showing symptoms and was diagnosed with precocious puberty (which means she was going through accelerated puberty). After further investigation from the doctors - they learnt that the reason for this, was due to the fact that she had a large tumour on her adrenal gland and she was later re-diagnosed with Adrenal Carcinoma. Again a very rare and aggressive form of cancer, that in most instances has a little to no chance of survival. The tumour found was the size of a lemon (approx 5-7cm). But someone was on our side, luckily the cancer formed its own sack and resulted in the doctors being able to remove this via surgery without her having to endure the wrath of chemotherapy.
However, the rarity of both cancers from Emma & Casey, at such a young age prompted the doctors to dig a little deeper, as it was unusual circumstances for both to have these forms of cancer. After a number of tests, the team of doctors confirmed an unfortunate reality that Emma, Casey & Charlie now face. A gene mutation, called TP53 - this gene discrepancy is not a kind one, it's a rare and angry condition which essentially means that the body is unable to fight off cancerous tumours - meaning that Emma, Casey & Charlie will all face the battle of cancer through their lives - not just once, but multiple times. The reality is that each of them are at a 95% chance of developing aggressive cancers at all stages of their lives, age does not discriminate. There is no cure, there is barely any research but there is the brutal reality that cancer will always continue to rear its head up throughout their lives.
Now we head back, learning that both Emma & Casey have this situation (prior to Charlie being born) - Emma decided to undergo a precautionary double Mastectomy, with the aim to prevent Breast Cancer. During the surgery they found a pre-cancerous lump, that was 7cm. This again, was a close call - but thankfully, was caught in time before it could turn itself into something extremely ugly.
After the treatment of bone cancer, Emma was deemed infertile and had started the process of IVF with her partner James, to grow their little family. They then, by miracle fell pregnant on their own with their gorgeous son Charlie. 20 weeks later, the heartbreaking news hit. The confirmation that Emma had been diagnosed with MDS. We start to learn, that this was not developed as a result of the genetic issue - but as a result of her chemotherapy treatment when she was battling Osteosarcoma. The MDS treatment, requires a multi-layered approach. She is currently having chemotherapy to help slow down the process of it turning into ALL, then follows the bone marrow transplant and continuing with chemotherapy. There is no certainty that the bone marrow donation will work, as donors need to be matched at least a 85% compatibility - our closet match is 50%. We have no idea where this will lead us, and can only remain positive that there is light at the end of this tunnel too. The transplant is due to take place early this year. She continues to be a loving and caring Mum - but will be faced with a significant amount of time in hospital. Her partner James, will be supporting her as a primary caretaker as well as supporting the two kids. He is a sub-contractor and will need to take 5-6 months off work to support during this time - resulting in a heavy financial burden.
We ask if you can spare a dollar or two, the funds raised will be used to help ease the financial burden of ongoing, daily bills and general living expenses. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. As one final request, we ask if you are able to, to join the registry to become a bone marrow donor. There is only approximately 100,000 people on the registry in Australia, none of which are of Indigenous decent. This needs to change and by registering, you could help save a life like Emma’s.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sara Stevenson
Organizer
Belrose NSW
James Adam
Beneficiary
