Shock cancer diagnosis left Banksia Park woman Chelsea O’Neill with huge choice before hysterectomy

A routine check-up after gastric band surgery was the beginning of a series of unexpected health shocks for this 22-year-old Adelaide woman.

This month, 22-year-old Chelsea O’Neill went under for an eight-hour surgery to have her uterus removed in a mammoth hysterectomy.

It follows the Banksia Park woman sending one of her ovaries to Melbourne to freeze for a clinical trial and removing four eggs from her the other.

But there is a heartbreaking reason why this young woman went through these surgeries.

After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery a year ago, Chelsea was at her six-month check-up in June of this year when a scan revealed an abnormal tissue growth.

Chelsea O'Neill at home in Banksia Park, SA. Picture Emma Brasier

Chelsea O'Neill with her sister Shannon Colbourne. Picture: Supplied

During the surgery to remove the polyp doctors not only discovered more, but a cancerous tumour as well.

“I was at work, I started haemorrhaging blood everywhere and then the doctor called and said ‘you’ve got cancer’,” Chelsea said.

“I got rushed to emergency, haemorrhaging blood everywhere … and that was my last day.”

Chelsea’s mum, Jodie O’Neill brought her daughter straight to Modbury hospital and she was diagnosed with stage three uterus cancer which had spread to the lymph nodes in her pelvis.

Chelsea O'Neill at her sister's wedding with her partner Zac McDonald, sister Shannon Colbourne, brother-in-law Josh Colbourne, mum Jodie O'Neill and Darren O'Neill. Picture: Supplied

Chelsea immediately needed to undergo egg retrieval after her cancer diagnosis. Picture: Supplied

Following her surgery, doctors have told Chelsea (right) that she does not appear to have cancer cells in her body. Picture: Supplied

She was told she would have 24 hours to decide whether to retrieve her eggs to save any chance of having a biological child of her own.

“I’ve always said that something will go wrong,” she said.

“I’ve always said I’ll adopt a child or foster, I knew that there was something not right.

“I was prepared but my partner wasn’t.”

After the egg retrieval, Chelsea underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, before doctors performed the hysterectomy as well as removing lymph nodes from around her pelvis.

Following the surgery, doctors were able to give her the news that she does not appear to have any cancer cells in her body.

Chelsea will need to face another six rounds of chemotherapy once she’s recovered from her hysterectomy.

Chelsea will need to face another six rounds of chemotherapy once she’s recovered from her hysterectomy. Picture: Supplied

Chelsea has been unable to work as a child care worker but has been able to work since her diagnosis. Picture: Supplied

One of the hardest parts for Chelsea has been the financial burden on her family. Chelsea, who was a child care worker, has been forced to stop working due to her health and now is on Job Seeker.

“We’re paying all their bills, because she doesn’t get a cent and only earns enough to pay the mortgage,” mum, Ms O’Neill said.

“I think the system is absolutely disgusting, that’s what gets me upset.

“You’ve got a kid that’s worked since she was 16 going through this … it’s degrading.”

If you want to donate to Chelsea, you can here.

Originally published as Shock cancer diagnosis left Banksia Park woman Chelsea O’Neill with huge choice before hysterectomy