Thomson mum Carly Rawson shares shock cancer diagnosis

A mother “never could have imagined” she’d be diagnosed with cancer after seeing her GP for heavy bruising and fatigue.

Carly Rawson worries about her family’s future. Picture: Colin Maier

A Victorian mother and accomplished writer’s life has been turned upside down by a shock cancer diagnosis.

Carly Rawson’s nightmare began when she noticed bad bruising on her body and started feeling exhausted.

The Thomson woman presented to her GP on May 14 and said she “never could have imagined” the truth behind her symptoms.

The 45-year-old was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia – a deadly blood cancer that destroys healthy blood cells in the bone marrow.

Ms Rawson started chemotherapy immediately but said the prognosis was poor.

Up until her diagnosis, Ms Rawson was completing studies in education and enjoying family life with husband Dave Reidy and seven-year-old son Gene.

“When I started studying we knew it would be tough for six years, but knew when I finished it would be worth it because we would have dual income,” Ms Rawson said.

“I was just three months away (from finishing) when the diagnosis came.”

“I’ts just a lot for a 7-year-old”: Ms Rawson says the gravity of her diagnosis has begun to sink in for her child. Picture: Colin Maier

Ms Rawson said the family’s pain was compounded by financial stress, as she had to stop part-time work to undergo treatment and her husband had to cut back his hours.

She said while the family’s income plummeted, medical bills stacked up.

But the community stepped up, with Mr Reidy’s sister, Nell Reidy, launching an online fundraiser that raised $42,000 in a few days.

“What that has meant for us as a family and for my son, who might not have a mum, is peace of mind and it’s hard to have the energy to deal with the health stuff and the emotional stuff when you are absolutely terrified of your bills,” Ms Rawson said.

“It just gives Dave that peace of mind so that he can be with and support me and our son.”

Carly’s husband Dave Reidy. Picture: Colin Maier

Ms Rawson said her son had started accept the family’s new reality.

“He’s an only child who’s spent a lot of time listening to adult conversation, he’s also watched his grandmother go through cancer … initially he showed a lot of reluctance to engage with it but he’s turned a corner more recently,” she said.

“I’m just not ready to explain to him how dire it is, he doesn’t need to know until it’s inevitable.”

Ms Rawson said she was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the community.

“We are a young family who were just starting to get up on our feet and to see that so many people have related to that and taken the time to think about us has been so touching,” she said.

But Ms Rawson has had a large number of blood donations since her diagnosis, and urged people to donate blood.

“Since I’ve been here, I have had to have countless blood transfusions,” she said.

“Twice a day, I receive a bag of a stranger’s blood, so I really urge everyone to donate blood, and thank those who do so regularly”.

Support Ms Rawon and her family here.

Originally published as Thomson mum Carly Rawson shares shock cancer diagnosis