Pancreatic cancer diagnosis tough for bride-to-be

Kaila Terraneo was elated when her beloved Ludovico proposed. Yet the impending nuptials also became a race against time - the bride-to-be’s mother had pancreatic cancer.

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Kaila Terraneo was elated when her beloved Ludovico proposed. Yet the impending nuptials also became a race against time - the bride-to-be’s mother had pancreatic cancer.

Ms Terraneo, a Maroubra resident who hails from the USA, gave her partner the “yes” he had hoped for in February last year.

Kaila and Ludovico Terraneo. Picture: John Appleyard

Three months earlier, she had been devastated by her mother Jude’s diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer.

Jude raised her daughter by herself, and while her chirpy offspring eventually left the USA for Australia, the pair spoke on the phone almost every day.

“I was incredibly close to my mother,” Ms Terraneo said.

“She was the biggest personality in the room, no matter what room you were in. She had the most beautiful smile, and loved to laugh.”

Ms Terraneo’s mother, Jude.

A hospital administration worker before retirement, Jude’s favourite phrase was “if you’re not worth a laugh, you’re not worth much”.

“Every time I pictured my wedding, it was my mother who would walk me down the aisle,” Ms Terraneo said.

“I absolutely needed my mother to be at my wedding.”

She had made frequent visits to mother in the US after the diagnosis, and then had to arrange a wedding.

The couple initially set a September date, before doctors advised events should be held sooner.

The couple organised a wedding at Lake Como, Italy, in June, as Mr Terraneo has Italian heritage.

Jude attended and revelled in the celebrations.

“For her to see that symbol of passing me to him was incredible, and I’ll remember it my whole life,” Ms Terraneo said.

“I always say ‘Ludo loves me like my mother loves me’.”

Kaila Terraneo will be walking on Sunday in memory of her late mum, Jude. Picture: John Appleyard

Jude died in August aged 63. Ms Terraneo was her carer for her final six weeks.

The 28-year-old is participating in the Pancare Foundation’s Walk For Hope at Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park, on Sunday to help people affected by cancer.

Ms Terraneo still grieves, but wants to share coping mechanisms.

“Sometimes I write to my mother in a journal, and often I find answers she would be saying to me,” he said.

“That’s been really powerful.”

Walk for Hope registrations open at 7am on Sunday. The event starts at 9am.

Funds raised will provide patient support services and research into pancreatic cancer.