Qld nurses face financial hurdles after cancer diagnosis and home disaster

A nursing couple and their four children have gone into a prolonged health battle following a cancer diagnosis, as support swells for the pair who usually looks after others.

David, a local dad and nurse is struggling after being diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

A dedicated nursing couple is in the fight of their lives after a loving father of four was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

David Sacco and Jessica Sacco-Davies, two dedicated nurses living in Innes Park, are facing a series of challenges following Mr Sacco’s recent diagnosis.

The couple, who moved to Bundaberg from the UK 19 months ago, has been active in the local healthcare community.

Mr Sacco works as an anaesthetic nurse across two hospitals and Mrs Sacco-Davies serves in the mental health department.

They live with their four daughters, aged 16, 15, 13, and 11.

Jessica Sacco-Davies and David Sacco.

Mr Sacco’s diagnosis came after he experienced severe fatigue in January.

Blood tests revealed he was severely anaemic and further scans discovered a mass on his sigmoid colon.

A colonoscopy identified two separate primary tumours, one on each side of his colon.

Eight weeks later, doctors confirmed that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, leading to surgery to remove his large colon.

Following surgery, Mr Sacco faced complications that left his stomach and upper intestines non-functional.

He was unable to eat for 10 days and was hospitalised for at least two weeks.

David Sacco, an Innes Park dad and nurse, is struggling after being diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

Mr Sacco is undergoing chemotherapy, which is scheduled to conclude in January next year.

The treatment has significantly affected his quality of life, leaving him unable to work and participate fully in family activities.

“He loves to be in the garden, mowing, but what once took him a day to do, now takes him a week,” Mrs Sacco-Davies said.

The family is grappling with significant home repairs after a major leak was discovered in their main bathroom.

Due to the leak, the entire family is currently sharing an ensuite, a situation that is expected to become untenable once Mr Sacco’s compromised immune system requires stricter hygiene measures during chemotherapy.
A friend to the duo has organised a GoFundMe page for the family to help relieve the costs, with $2975 donated as of Monday.

The cost of repairing the bathroom is expected to cost $12,000, and could increase if an additional plumbing issue involving ‘grey water’ flooding the garden is addressed.

Mrs Sacco-Davies has been balancing her job, hospital visits and caring for their children while working extra shifts to cover the loss of Mr Sacco’s income.

However, as her husband’s condition has worsened, she has had to reduce her hours.

“We’ve had to pause the mortgage … we can’t afford that at the moment,” Mrs Sacco-Davies said.

Builder Michael Rayner assisted the family with bathroom repairs, securing donations including a cabinet from Bunnings and a donated countertop for the vanity.

“Michael has been amazing,” Mrs Sacco-Davies said.

Mrs Sacco-Davies said another builder Ash Towell had arranged for several people to come to the family’s aid when the bathroom first became inoperable.

“I don’t know if it’s an Australian thing or a Bundaberg thing but everyone has been so supportive.”

Despite these efforts, the bathroom remains incomplete and the family urgently needs additional support to ensure a safe environment for Mr Sacco’s ongoing treatment.

The couple’s daughters have been affected by the situation but have received support from their school and community.

Mrs Sacco-Davies said that the school counsellors and other parents had been exceptionally helpful, providing a network of support for the children during this difficult time.

The couple emphasised their appreciation of the community support, with Mr Sacco acknowledging everyone who has helped them.