Sunshine Coast mum-of-five battles breast cancer after husband’s death

A Sunshine Coast mum already grieving her husband’s death and raising five children alone has been given 13 months to live.

Deb Graves and her family marked her late husband Jason Bent's birthday at Point Cartwright.

A Sunshine Coast mum grieving the death of her husband while supporting her five children has been given 13 months to live following a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Deb Graves and her husband Jason Bent immigrated from their native England to Minyama in 2008.

However, tragedy struck in 2013.

Mrs Graves was pregnant with their youngest child when Mr Bent, who was a fly-in fly-out electrician, suffered a seizure and suddenly died.

She said it was her children that kept her going throughout that tragedy.

Deb Graves, middle, with two her two oldest children, Chloe Graves, left and Ellie Graves, right. Picture: Contributed

“When Jason died and I was pregnant I had no choice but to carry on because the kids needed me,” Mrs Graves said.

“I’m all they’ve got.”

Harry Graves with his dad Jason Bent before Mr Bent's death in 2013. Picture: Contributed

Although her family encouraged her to move back to England, Mrs Graves said it was her and her husband’s dream to raise their children on the Sunshine Coast so she stayed.

Mrs Graves was recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

Her oncologist delivered the crushing news this week that the cancer is also in two lymph nodes and her lung.

“Unfortunately I have been given a 13-month life expectancy,” she said.

She will lose her job as a support worker once her chemotherapy starts next week.

Two of her children are still in primary school and the bills and rent will still pile up.

Deb Graves' two youngest children, 11-year-old Luey and nine-year-old Ruby.

But Mrs Graves has “an angel without wings” in her corner.

Mrs Graves met Tessa Tamvakis when the mum-of-five started caring for Mrs Tamvakis in a support worker role.

What started off as a job in 2020 has turned into a friendship that is so close they consider each other sisters.

Tessa Tamvakis and Deb Graves met when Mrs Graves became Mrs Tamvakis's support worker. Picture: Contributed

Mrs Tamvakis, despite her own brain injury, is now doing all she can to support her “sister from another mister” and has started a fundraiser to help Mrs Graves during her treatment.

The GoFundMe has a $50,000 goal and has raised more than $4000 since launching a couple of weeks ago.

Jim and Tessa Tamvakis with Deb Graves, who consider each other as family. Picture: Contributed

Mrs Tamvakis said their roles had reversed a little following Mrs Graves’ diagnosis and she was in “absolute shock and disbelief” over the latest health update.

“(Deb) is a fighter and won’t go down easily,” she said.

Deb Graves' older children, Chloe, Harry and Ellie Graves.

Mrs Tamvakis said it was not just the monetary donations that were helping Mrs Graves.

“We’ve been amazed by some of the most beautiful messages that we’ve had from people, or people from the past that have commented and donated,” she said.

The money will be used for bills, rent and to help support Mrs Graves’ family of Ruby, 9, Luey, 11, Harry, 21, Chloe, 22 and Ellie, 26.

Wurtulla mum Simone Boulton’s cancer fight deepens as GoFundMe goal looms

Mrs Graves’ older children are organising the younger children’s school days and routines but Mrs Graves still does not want them to shoulder the responsibilities of a parenting role.

The Minyama mum said she welcomed any support as she faces the fight of her life.

“I’m terrified, very anxious about the future and the impact it will have on the kids because they’ve been through enough,” she said.

“But I’m going to put on the biggest fight that I can, because I don’t have a choice.”

You can donate here.