Santi Homann's cancer diagnosis while overseas

Hi, I'm Tommie.

I never thought I'd be sitting at my computer organising a gofundme fundraiser, but here I am.

Living in a different country to your parents is never easy, but whenever we get the opportunity, we make the most of our holidays together.

When the effects of the recent pandemic took that ability to travel away, it meant there would be 3 years without seeing Mum & Dad. You can imagine how ecstatic we were when the rules changed and they could visit myself, their daughter-in-law and grandkids again.

What was meant to be a time full of happiness and new memories suddenly became a rollercoaster of shock and disbelief when Mum (Santi) was quickly diagnosed here by Australian Doctors with stage 4 lung cancer. Nothing pre-existing, never smoked, just "unlucky" (in the words of the specialist).

We are doing everything we possibly can for Mum while she is here. She is unable to fly back home at this stage due to the condition of her lungs and a blood clot discovered in her neck. While working towards a treatment plan, she has tolerated xrays, CT scans, 2 x biopsies, PET scan, and an MRI. No medicare means all procedures and treatments need to be paid in full on the day.

At present we are dealing with their travel insurance, but are yet to see any reimbursement from our out-of-pocket expenses. We do realise that once the Oncologist places Mum on a treatment plan, these figures will skyrocket.

We are grateful that she can receive some of the best treatments and care in Australia, but we are realistic as to what we can provide on our own. Mum will need treatment to stabilise her health until she can fly home, and will then need support once she is home. What this will entail we don't know, but the last thing we want her to worry about is whether she can stay financially afloat due to her health.

We are reaching out for some external support from anyone in the community during this stressful time. All funds raised will be going towards her medical treatment and therefore our opportunity to enjoy the time we have with her.

Thank you for reading my story.

Tommie

(To the unbelievable family and friends as well as Windspark Oz a special thanks for your support so far).