Anna’s world rocked by diagnosis

By Sheree Hoddinett 

It’s a string of words that no one wants to hear, you have cancer and it’s terminal.    

For 49-year-old Bellara-based Anna, this is now her reality. 

Many of you in the Bribie Island community and beyond may know Anna from her small business The Little Sensory Shed or from the fortnightly group she runs at the Freedom Church called MyTime. You may also know Anna’s mum Cathy - she is their only family in Australia – through her work at Busy Fingers, as the secretary for Bombora and more recently the palliative care hospice shop in Bongaree. 

On May 3, Anna was diagnosed with HER2-positve metastatic breast cancer, which is very progressed and metastasised to her spine, hips, lumber and liver. She has only been offered palliative life-extending chemotherapy and radiation as treatment. One of her most recent treatments has resulted in Anna being unable to walk. 

“We have only just found out about my shock diagnosis, unfortunately on my mum's 70th birthday (May 3),” Anna said. “We found out I had cancer and told I was terminal and palliative the same day.   

“Many of you would know my mum from everything she does in the community or she was doing, as she has now given up everything in recent weeks to care for me.”  

The gravity of the situation has had quite an impact on Anna and her family. In a post shared on Facebook explaining what was going on, Anna described it as the only time she wanted to write or hear the words about what was happening to her.  

“I cannot in my heart and soul accept them, I need more time with my daughter and my family,” she explained online. “From here on, my journey has to be one of faith, hope and healing. And if I do post about it in the future, I will be referring to my journey as Anna’s Journey of Hope.”  

Anna is a solo mum to Lomani or “L”, who is just seven-years-old (turning eight in September) and has many complex medical needs which require lots of care, frequent hospital visits and stays, but above all else, she needs her mum! It was because of L’s many hospital visits that Anna decided to make the move to Bribie when she was just a few months old and already with three brain surgeries to her name, so they could be near the water. It was also L who inspired Anna to create The Little Sensory Shed. 

“I previously worked for the Ministry of Defence in the UK and did tours in Falklands and Bosnia after moving here in 2007. I then worked in the mining industry,” Anna said.  “However, after having my daughter who required constant care, I could no longer return to work. I was spending a lot of time sourcing good and safe sensory products for her and that is where the idea for my business was born. Three-and-a-half years ago I started The Little Sensory Shed. The business runs at a loss, but I am passionate about supporting other children in the community with their sensory needs and especially children in a classroom setting who require therapeutic supports.   

“A lot of people know us through 'The Shed. And I have always been here for the community when raffle prizes are requested, despite us just being a hobby business.” 

Also through her online post, Anna has used the opportunity to not only ask for support, but to also highlight what lies ahead for her and her family.  

“You will see me in the community looking different,” she explains. “Some days I might be using my walker, crutches and even my wheelchair. Soon I won’t have any hair, I might be wearing a hair wrap or even a wig…I might look very different. If you see me out an about with Lomani or mum, I know you might want to ask me how I am and of course please talk to us, but please please no intrusive questions or any whatsoever relating to sickness or my illness in front of Lomani, just be normal. 

“I want to keep things as normal as they can be for as long as possible and protect her in all this as much as I can…good vibes only please.”  

Anna is extremely grateful for all the help and support she has already received, but knows she still has quite a journey ahead of her, one she wants to be full of positive thoughts and healing energy.  

“My journey has to be one of faith and hope,” she said. “I have a seven-year-old daughter who needs me and now a puppy too! My daughter's long awaited assistance puppy, which we have been waiting four years for, would you believe arrived on my first day of chemo?! 

“I just want to say how humbled I am for all the support so far, you are making a difference to our family. Support doesn’t have to be financial, I’m taking all good energy and intentions in any form they come.” 

Anna has declined quite rapidly and is in need of many supports and aids. The financial burden of the diagnosis is already a huge additional stress. Anna’s friend Nicole has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the following: 

• Electric bed with lift 

• Commode 

• Rails 

• Alternative pain treatments 

• Alternative therapies 

• Fuel and parking for frequent hospital visits 

• Medicine and any other medical products and equipment 

• Home services (meal deliveries, cleaning, assistance) 

If you can't afford to donate, but you can help in another way, please reach out to Anna or Nicole. All the GoFundMe information can be found via www.gofundme.com, clicking the search icon and typing in Help for Medical Equipment & Palliative care for Anna.