Samantha Nolan’s cancer diagnosis: Friends, family launch GoFundMe page

The same day a Sunshine Coast mother received a shocking cancer diagnosis she and her family were told of a $50,000 blow out to construction costs for their dream home.

Mother-of-two Samantha Nolan was told she was in “perfect health” just days before scans for her back pain revealed a shocking cancer diagnosis.

The stomach and back pain she experienced over several weeks late last year were the signs of something more sinister than diet complications or endometriosis that some doctors suspected as causes.

MRI scans revealed inflammation in her lymph nodes and a blood test confirmed non Hodgkin‘s lymphoma had already spread throughout her body.

In another cruel blow, on the same day of diagnosis Ms Nolan and her partner Christopher Hopwood were told of a $50,000 increase to construction costs for their new home, due to building supply shortages.

Sunshine Coast cake maker Samantha Nolan, with sons William and Joey, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma lymphoma days after another doctor told her she was in “perfect health”. Picture: Studio 21

The devastating news came before Christmas while the Sippy Downs couple looked forward to building their dream family home – with a garage for her cake decorating business – and trying for another baby in the new year.

Friends and family are rallying around the former Mountain Creek State High School student, raising much needed funds to get them through six months of treatment.

“I’m trying to stay positive, I had my moments where I thought the worst,” Ms Nolan, 32, said.

“But I’m not focusing on that, I don’t really have any option.

Samantha Nolan, pictured with partner Christopher Hopwood and sons William and Joey, will soon start treatment in her fight against advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“I have two children so I can’t consider the worst right now.”

Ms Nolan said she experienced back pain late last year that she assumed was related to her rheumatoid arthritis.

Her specialist recommended an MRI – that uncovered what she least suspected.

“It was pretty shocking,” she said.

“I went in for back pain – I did not expect that at all.

“I knew there was something going on which was why I kept going back to my doctors.”

She said the cancer was difficult to diagnose because symptoms were not often seen until it was advanced.

At 32, Ms Nolan is about half the age of the average person with the disease. Tests will soon confirm if the cancer – advanced high grade follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – has reached her bones.

Ms Nolan said she was determined to fight the disease with the help of her beautiful family and generous friends.

Ms Nolan’s friends launched a GoFundMe page to assist financially to help the Sunshine Coast woman who they described as always the first to lend a hand.

With her partner recently medically discharged from the military Ms Nolan said any funds raised would be a huge help for regular expenses and their efforts to keep up with rising building costs.

Sunshine Coast cake maker Samantha Nolan, with sons William and Joey.

“The support has been amazing – so many people have reached out and I’m hearing other people’s stories who have had similar experiences and have had positive outcomes so that really helps,” she said.

“They’re trying to find any ways to help get us through this so I don’t have to stress about finances while going through the treatment.”

Ms Nolan said discussions would be held next week with Sunshine Coast University Hospital specialists for a treatment plan.

Ms Nolan said she wanted to share her story to encourage people to prioritise their health.

“I think it’s important to raise awareness that if something isn’t right in your body, be your best advocate,” she said.

“I lost one of my best friends to cervical cancer at the age of 25.

“You need to listen to your body.”

If you would like to support Ms Nolan click here