Two Children Under Two And Incurable Cancer: Melanie's Brave Battle

A Brisbane mum is focused on making as many memories as possible with her young family, after being told her cancer is incurable.

The 32-year-old nurse was six-months-pregnant in April this year, when she discovered a lump in her breast. She thought it was just a cyst.

“I went to my GP straightaway and was sent for an ultrasound,” Melanie said. “I was shocked when doctors told me I had cancer – I am heartbroken but living every day knowing I have my little family with me.”

Melanie was diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, and started chemotherapy at Mater Cancer Care Centre while still pregnant with her now five-month old son Noah. She and partner Dhrey also have a 20-month-old son, Elijah.

“The team have always checked in on me,” she said. “I had huge anxiety about having chemotherapy while pregnant with Noah, we had so much scanning and monitoring but the team reassured me every step of the way.”

Mater Cancer Care Centre Senior Medical Oncologist Dr Catherine Shannon said Melanie’s cancer spread rapidly following her pregnancy with baby Noah and was ‘challenging’ to treat.

“We didn’t know she was stage four until Noah was born because there were some tests we couldn’t perform while she was pregnant,” Dr Shannon said.

Melanie has now been told she may only have months to live.

“I am sad because my boys won’t remember me, they’re just too young. The cancer is spreading rapidly to my lymp nodes, bones and liver – it’s incurable.”

The amazing mum is now focused on creating memories with her children – no matter how small.

“Anywhere we are all together, makes me happy. I am trying to maximise the time I have left with my young
family.”

31 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 25 Nov 2024
    11:16 am
I wonder how the family is going and how Melanie went with her fight.
Im sure her boys will know her as long as family always tell them stories about what an amazing Mum they have and how much she loves them all and always will. Im sure they will make her proud.

- - snazzy007 said
  - 21 Jan 2023
    9:45 pm
Such a sad story but at least she is focusing on the positives

- - mom111059 said
  - 20 Jan 2023
    4:45 pm
So sad for this beautiful family to go through this heartache. Make beautiful memories and plenty of photographs for the children to cherish. I hope a miracle cure comes your way.

- - mom462038 said
  - 04 Jan 2023
    4:47 pm
Just heart breaking and yet heart warming at the same time. Much love to this mum.

- - romvar said
  - 03 Jan 2023
    5:59 pm
So sad! Cancer is a terrible disease. I wish a cure is found soon.

- - Jessica said
  - 03 Jan 2023
    3:39 pm
This is such a heartbreaking story! I couldn’t imagine!

- - mom103778 said
  - 01 Jan 2023
    12:54 pm
Praying for a miracle. So sad, I have no words.

- - MummaD said
  - 28 Dec 2022
    1:26 pm
So sad but she looks positive in every photo with her family.

- - Danicastefanie said
  - 26 Dec 2022
    10:42 am
This is heartbreaking ????

- - Ellen said
  - 25 Dec 2022
    9:55 am
Sending blessings and much love their way

- - mom489452 said
  - 25 Dec 2022
    8:24 am
Melanie smiling in every picture brings home to us that we should be grateful for what we have and that Troopers like her mean we have no room to complain about anything. Seasons greetings and celebrate what time you have

- - tessie said
  - 24 Dec 2022
    1:37 pm
Cancer is so cruel. I’m so sorry this young family have to face this. The memories she’s making will show the boys how much she loved them. She may be gone one day but never forgotten.

- - BellaB said
  - 23 Dec 2022
    6:54 pm
Cancer is such a horrible disease. Best wishes.

- - CrystalG said
  - 22 Dec 2022
    2:31 pm
This is devastating! Wishing you all the love for your time making memories with your family.

- - mom265671 said
  - 21 Dec 2022
    10:29 pm
Absolutely heartbreaking knowing your timeline left with two young kids and a partner! I wish them well

- - rovermum said
  - 21 Dec 2022
    10:54 am
My thoughts and best wishes are with the entire family.

- - Ellen said
  - 21 Dec 2022
    9:18 am
Aw bless, this must be so hard ! Although the boys may be little and won’t remember because they’re so young, the deep foundations through her love the time she has is invaluable. And I’m sure many photo’s will be made from precious moments and many stories to tell which will be there for the boys to look back on.
- Ellen replied
  
  21 Dec 2022 , 9:19 am
  And in the meantime I hope and pray for a miracle
- - mom101628 said
  - 21 Dec 2022
    12:33 am
So sad for them, but do hope they can enjoy a lovely Christmas together that will live in her children’s memories for ever.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 20 Dec 2022
    8:55 am
Heartbreaking. I hope they have a great Christmas together amidst all the sadness.

- - Motherhoodmama said
  - 20 Dec 2022
    8:28 am
My heart is broken for them that’s heavy.