Fiona Rynott’s breast cancer fight: I want to walk my son to kindy

Fiona Rynott was in Perth for a friend’s wedding five years ago when her world was shattered. Today, she’s not sure how much time she has left. READ HER STORY

EXCLUSIVE: Fiona Rynott was in Perth for a friend’s wedding five years ago when her world was shattered.

The mother of three was rushed to emergency with debilitating abdominal pain but worse was to come — doctors found she had breast cancer that had already metastised to her liver.

Today, Fiona is 39 and the cancer is now at Stage Four. It’s now in her brain and she’s not sure how much time she has left.

But she has a goal — to walk youngest son Zac to his first day of school in February and, in the same month, be around to celebrate her 40th birthday.

“I’ve reached milestones I never thought I’d see and I’m doing my best but it’s been a hard five years,” she told Saturday Extra.

Fiona Rynott with her husband Tristan, daughter Emily, son Zac and stepdaughter Charlotte.

“It’s really hard and I have my days — but our everyday life is the same as other people’s — I still work full-time and getting three kids ready for school in the morning … you should see our house at 7.30am.

“There’s nothing I can do for myself now though. The treatment’s not working and I’m running out of options but I want to share my story and help raise awareness and funds for more research — because that’s the only way to discover more treatments and give people more time.”

Fiona with Zac and Emily.

She has been steadied by the love and support of four-year-old son Zac, six-year-old daughter Emily, 14-year-old stepdaughter Charlotte and husband Tristan.

“They are what’s kept me going, if I’m honest,” she said.

“I have to get out of bed in the morning, I have to get them to school — we have to keep going.”

Zac was just eight weeks old when she received the news. At first doctors thought a lump in her chest was mastitis.

Making memories has been her priority, including enjoying a nine-month family trip around Australia.

“You’re like any other mum — I had what they thought was mastitis with both of my kids and who knows if it was,” she said.

“That’s why early detection is so important. We need to think about it, we need to talk about it and women have to check their breasts in the shower. If we had caught mine at stage one who knows, maybe things would be different.”

It was November 2018 when doctors found 30 cancer lesions on her liver, with the primary source in her breast.

Zac was only eight weeks old when Fiona was first diagnosed.

“The doctor was talking and talking about what type of cancer it was and what my options would be, but I couldn’t hear anything,” she said.

“I just sat there in shock. All I could think about was our children.”

With so much more to live out with her family, Fiona decided she “didn’t have time for cancer” and threw herself into various treatments in order to make as many memories as possible with her loved ones.

Despite side effects including hair loss and debilitating fatigue, Fiona has continued to work full-time at Downer Group and has been promoted to an executive assistant position.

Fiona Rynott and her husband Tristan.

Fiona undergoing treatment.

Fiona undergoing treatment for stage four cancer.

She cashed in her super and her family spent nine months doing a lap of Australia. She has written letters and made treasure boxes for her children and hopes helping people understand the importance of early detection will be the legacy that outlives her.

“One after the other, the treatments have stopped working and the cancer has kept spreading,” she said.

“It’s in my brain now and I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel with treatment options.”

Speaking to Saturday Extra between bouts of radiation on her brain, she is incredibly grounded and as strong as she can be. She has to be, for her family.

Fiona Tristan on their trip.

Fiona Rynott with daughter Emily.

Fiona and her Emily.

“I just want to be there to walk Zac to his first day of school next year,” she said.

Fiona is the face of Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s annual Tax Appeal campaign.

She hopes her journey will inspire Australians to make a tax-deductible donation that will help give people like her more time with their loved ones and, with the ACRF providing grants that allow scientists to supercharge their research through next-generation technology, your tax-deductible donation could lead to a breakthrough that saves lives.

In 2021, a $1.5 million grant was made to establish the exciting ACRF Molecular Theranostics Laboratory at the Centenary Institute in Sydney, where researchers will explore new approaches that could provide more time to people like Fiona with advanced cancers.

“Theranostics has proven to be at least 29 per cent more effective than standard therapy — this approach represents an exciting advancement in cancer research,” said ACRF CEO Kerry Strydom.

“The ACRF Molecular Theranostics Laboratory will undoubtedly produce some amazing outcomes for cancer patients and it wouldn’t have been possible without donations.

“I urge Australians to dig deep and make a tax-deductible donation to our tax appeal campaign.

“Your contribution can help give more precious time for someone like Fiona, and 100 per cent of your donations go directly to cancer research as we continue to strive for our vision of a world without cancer – because people like Fiona, deserve a future with their loved ones.”

To donate, visit acrf.com.au

Originally published as Fiona Rynott’s breast cancer fight: I want to walk my son to kindy