Sunshine Coast mum Monique Jardine’s medical journey after misdiagnosis of stage four cancer

A devastating diagnosis of stage-four cancer has uprooted the lives of a young family, tearing apart a loving mum and her precious children.

Sunshine Coast couple Josh and Monique Jardine are raising their young children between treatments for Ms Jardine's cancer. Photo: contributed

Monique Jardine, 34, received an incorrect diagnosis of bursitis about eight weeks ago, after seeing the doctor and taking on an ultrasound over ongoing pain in her shoulder.

Her sister Kate Kapernick said Ms Jardine paid for a steroid injection to combat bursitis before receiving pain in her other shoulder two weeks, which she was told was due to overuse in caring for her newborn.

Again, she paid out of pocket for an injection in her other shoulder.

She had also requested an ultrasound for a lump in her breast and two lesions were found, before she was scheduled for a mammogram a week later.

Before the mammogram, she went to the Prince Charles Hospital for severe shoulder pain where another lesion was found on her clavicle, yet she was sent home with pain medication.

After the mammogram, the pain became unbearable and Ms Jardine visited the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where she was finally admitted for further tests.

Monique and Josh Jardine's beloved four-year-old and four-month-old children. Photo: contributed

The next day, with her husband Josh by her side, Ms Jardine was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer.

The cancer had spread from her breast to her lymph nodes and bones, and lesions were found on her clavicle, pelvis, spine and sternum.

The couple have had to pay for doctor visits, physio and cortisone injections after her misdiagnosis, ultrasounds, a mammogram and $600 just in hospital parking.

Now living with an incurable disease, Ms Jardine faces a future filled with medication and treatments, including radiation, to manage pain and stop the cancer from growing.

Ms Jardine said the diagnosis turned the lives of her family upside down as she undergoes treatment while raising her young children.

“I’m sharing my story in the hope it will raise awareness about how easily symptoms can be overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially in young women, and to advocate for better support and faster action when red flags are raised,” she said.

Between ongoing appointments and caring for their four-year-old and four-month-old girls, both Ms Jardine and her husband have had to resign from their full-time jobs.

Ms Jardine was a real estate agent and property manager of a townhouse complex and Mr Jardine acted as its groundskeeper, Ms Kapernick said.

The family lives in a caretaker’s unit in the complex, meaning they now also have to abandon their home.

In light of the family’s tragic circumstances, Ms Kapernick opened a GoFundMe to gain support for medication and treatment costs as well as cost of living.

Ms Kapernick hopes for her sister to gain the help and time she needs in order to make happy memories with her children.

She said all Ms Jardine wanted to do in her life was be a mother and, after several miscarriages, the couple scraped together enough money for IVF and eventually welcomed their children to the world.

Monique and Josh Jardine with their daughter before the birth of their second child this year.

Now, she cannot pick up her four-month-old baby since she was advised against using her arms or doing any lifting in fear of a fracture.

The hardest part for Ms Jardine has been spending time apart from her beloved children, with her four-year-old missing her terribly.

Her husband has been her greatest support, staying by her side everyday, driving her to and from the hospital and then taking care of the children at home.

Ms Jardine’s parents also travelled down to help look after the children.

“The amount her husband and our parents are doing for her is amazing,” Ms Kapernick said.

She described her sister as a devoted mother and wife as well as a hard worker, with an amazing sense of humour and a contagious laugh.

“She is such a direct and straight to the point person with a tough exterior but has such a kind heart,” Ms Kapernick said.

Ms Kapernick said her sister would have never asked for help, which is why her family put together a GoFundMe without her knowledge.

She thanked everyone for their donations, and for who even just shared the link in support of the family.

As of Monday afternoon, more than $6000 in donations were already raised.