By XAVIER SMERDON
DESPITE undergoing the biggest fight of her life, a Hoppers Crossing mother is determined to look to the future.
Julie Toner, a mother and stepmother of five children under the age of 16, was diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma, bowel cancer, just days after her 40th birthday.
It was only by chance that Ms Toner booked herself in for a routine colonoscopy and discovered she had cancer.
“I was doing the family tree and I found out that my grandfather had bowel cancer and then I found out later that both my aunty and my uncle had it too,” Ms Toner said.
“I thought I’d get myself checked out and they found a tumor the size of a ping-pong ball.”
When doctors discovered the cancer it was already in stage three and within two weeks she went in for an operation to have her whole colon removed.
She is currently undergoing another six months of chemotherapy to stop the cancer from spreading.
“Before I had the colonoscopy I actually had a bad feeling that something was wrong but I told myself not to cry if it was bad news,” she said.
“As soon as they told me I had cancer I just burst into tears.
“I think I was scared for my kids and scared of what would happen to them.”
Ms Toner has shown extraordinary bravery during her ordeal and is even organising a fund-raising event for Bowel Screen Australia.
She has organised a Bogan Bingo and auction night for Friday 18 January with all funds going towards finding a cure.
Her father John has even agreed to get a tattoo of the Bowel Screen Australia logo, an apple, on his arm if she reaches her goal of $2000.
Ms Toner said she did not see herself as brave and simply wanted her children to have a better chance against cancer.
“I’ve had my moments definitely. After 10 days in hospital I didn’t want to see anybody and I just wanted to deal with it by myself but then I thought I’ve got great friends and family and I should let them help me,” she said.
“I see myself more as a crusader because I just want others to get tested.”
The fund-raising event will be held at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre.
For more information or to make a donation call 0402 037 201.
