Sunshine Coast real estate agent Monique Parry’s mission to beat terminal cancer
A beautiful and renowned Sunshine Coast real estate agent has taken matters into her own hands after being told by Aussie doctors there’s nothing they can do to save her. Here’s how she plans to beat cancer.
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A beautiful and renowned Sunshine Coast real estate agent has taken matters into her own hands after being told by Australian doctors there’s nothing they can do to save her.
Monique Parry, 38, of Maroochydore, is on a mission to beat her second terminal cancer diagnosis.
Ms Parry previously worked as a successful travel agent before becoming one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular real estate specialists.
She was crowned Sunshine Coast Agent of the year 2023 and still works as a freelance travel agent with some of her high end clients.
Ms Parry was enjoying her life and career with partner Dave Smyth and dog Luna when it took a turn for the worst.
Devastatingly, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2023.
Her older brother, Trent Parry, said it was a traumatic time for their family.
“She was very unwell and extremely yellow, she was almost glowing,” Mr Parry said.
“They found a golf ball sized tumour on her pancreas and liver. It was blocking her liver duct so she wasn’t getting all of her fluids through to break down her food.
“Her whole life was flipped upside down.”
The brave realtor underwent a lifesaving surgery to remove the tumour and then six months of gruelling chemotherapy.
In the eight hour surgery they removed the tumour along with half of her pancreas, gallbladder, a lot of her intestine, and a bit of her liver and stomach.
Surgeons then removed 36 lymph nodes and 11 of them has cancerous cells.
Ms Parry has since shared her cancer battle on Instagram.
“So in survival mode and throwing everything I had at this, I started the chemo route,” Ms Parry said.
“I call it the roller coaster from hell.
“After 10 gruelling rounds of chemo. Killing everything good and bad within me. Loosing 18kg, my hair and my sense of self, I got more news.”
On June 18, after the Parrys thought the worst was behind them, a scan showed the terminal cancer had spread to Ms Parry’s liver.
She had three new tumours.
“The words that came out of my oncologist’s mouth I refused and still choose not to believe. You have less than 12 months and you have no other options. F--k off,” Ms Parry said.
“My second big what the f--k moment … I was like how dare someone decide if I live or die at 38.”
In search of answers Ms Parry dived headfirst into researching what else was out there – not accepting the death sentence Australian doctors offered her.
“Our bodies are amazing healing machines and I just need to give it the best possible environment and support,” she said.
With the support of her friends and family, Ms Parry cut her chemotherapy short and headed to Mexico.
“It was making her so sick and wasn’t working,” her brother said.
“She found a place in Mexico which offered new age, revolutionary treatment. There’s only two places in the world where it’s legal.
“It’s saved lives before and has given us hope. Since finding it it’s the most positive we’ve been since her first diagnosis.
“Her partner went with her. He’s been her rock throughout this and we’re grateful she has him and his support.”
Ms Parry spent three weeks in Mexico undergoing intensive treatment for eight to 10 hours every day.
Ms Parry has been home for about two weeks now.
“She’s incredibly courageous, very outgoing, and loves to have fun. She’s the life of every party,” her brother said.
“She’s incredibly lovely and loved by everyone.
“This has really rocked our family but we have hope and believe she can beat this.
“I’m a firm believer that your outlook and intentions is going to harbour what happens. Our outlook has always been very positive.
“I believe she will get through it and so does she.”
Ms Parry said she has accepted her new reality.
“I believe everything happens for a reason (as hard as that is to believe with the journey I am on now) but I was meant to come to Hope4Cancer at Mexico,” she said.
“The whirlwind that happened after my second terminal diagnosis to arriving here, I felt instantly calm and content. I have never felt so looked after from all the amazing doctors, nurses and staff and most of all the beautiful people I have met. The positivity, the smiles, the laughs and support is out of this world and fills you with so much hope.
“When you get told you’ve got cancer you get lumped into this box. The cancer box. But as my beautiful friend I’ve met here Kylee Dart said, we need to rewrite cancer.
“It is not a death sentence. It doesn’t need to be as scary as it’s made out to be. It’s just our bodies way of tapping you on the shoulder and saying hey we need to make some changes here for the better.”
Ms Parry arrived home with a suitcase full of treatments from the clinic to continue her fight.
“I am feeling the best I’ve felt since this all started and I know I will heal,” she said.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has supported me so far. My Family, my beautiful friends, strangers and of course my amazing partner Dave.
“If you’re going through something similar or know of someone, you’re not alone, we are here for you.”
You can support Ms Parry here.
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Originally published as Sunshine Coast real estate agent Monique Parry’s mission to beat terminal cancer
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