Sydney mum-of-two dead at 34 after ‘1 in 10 million’ diagnosis

A Sydney mother-of-two has tragically died after being struck down with a bad back that eventually led to a “1 in 10 million” diagnosis.

A young mother has died at the age of 34 – just a year after a niggling back pain was diagnosed as a “one in 10 million” cancer.

Melinda Kolodynski had developed a dull ache in her back that she initially put down to period pain last year.

Over the next months, the pain worsened, until it got so bad one night her husband David called an ambulance.

After a series of CT scans, doctors discovered Melinda had an ultra-rare angiosarcoma, a cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels.

In Melinda’s case, it had developed in her pelvis, something she said doctors called a “one-in-10-million case”.

Melinda’s diagnosis was terminal, but the mum said she “wasn’t willing to accept” it, bravely seeking alternative treatments overseas.

But sadly she lost her battle for “more time” and tragically passed away in Sydney on Thursday – just nine months after being diagnosed.

Sydney woman Melinda Kolodynski has died from an ultra-rare ‘one-in-10-million’ cancer. Picture: GoFundMe

She leaves behind her husband and their two boys Maximus, seven, and three-year-old Corey.

Her devastated mother, Tracey McClure, made the heartbreaking announcement on a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds to help Melinda get onto a groundbreaking clinical trial.

“It is with a broken heart and immense sadness that I advise that my beautiful girl lost her battle and is now resting in peace with her past friends and family,” she wrote.

“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your donations and words of support. Rest in eternal love my gorgeous and courageous girl – Mumma loves you forever and always.”

Her mother revealed the 34-year-old had died on GoFundMe. Picture: Instagram/MelMole

She leaves behind two boys, Maximus, seven, and three-year-old Corey. Picture: Instagram/MelMole

Before her death, Melinda opened up about the highs and lows of her cancer battle on social media, describing the cancer as a “hideous disease”.

“Cancer has metastasised to my liver and is quite progressed, my oncologist talks of a ‘prognosis’ that I’m quite frankly just not willing to accept,” she wrote on her last Instagram post, dated March 9.

“So once again we spend a couple of days with our heads in the pillow, tears streaming down our faces.

“But it’s time to get up dust off and soldier on because there is a fight to be had and I’m not done here.”

She documented the highs and lows of her battle with the ‘hideous disease’. Picture: Instagram/MelMole

In an earlier post, she described a unique feeling of anxiety she experiences while waiting for the results of a CT scan, dubbing it “scanxiety”.

“It’s a real thing. As I sit here and wait for my updated CT scan this week, I find it hard to believe that I’ve been on this horrendous journey for 8 months,” she said.

“Literally waking up like Groundhog Day, sometimes for a few moments forgetting my reality and in those moments everything is perfection but I’m swiftly reminded of the burden that I carry.”

Tributes have already begun pouring in for the mum, with many stating they were “devastated” to hear of her passing.

“Fly high Angel, your boys will be well taken care of,” one wrote.

“Sending love to your family Mel – you were incredible to know,” another added.