Sunshine Coast man Thomas Feldman loses cancer battle

A grieving Queensland mother has shared the heartbreak of losing the love of her life less than a month after their miracle cancer baby was born – saying he used the last of his strength to hold her hand in hospital.

Thomas and Tarsha Feldman. Picture - contributed.

A grieving Sunshine Coast woman has shared the heartbreak of losing the love of her life less than a month after their miracle cancer baby was born – saying he used the last of his strength to hold her hand in hospital.

Tarsha and Thomas Feldman, both 31, met when they were just 19 years old working in the deli at their local Woolworths.

What followed was a 10-year fairytale romance cut abruptly short.

“Thomas is the love of my life. I say is and not was because my love for him is still enduring even though he has passed,” Mrs Feldman said.

“That’s the thing when someone dies … you don’t stop loving them they are just no longer here to receive your love.

“He was my first experience of healthy love. I knew he loved me as much as I loved him and he always made me feel safe.”

Thomas Feldman. Picture - contributed.

In January 2020 Mr Feldman, a software engineer, was diagnosed with brain cancer and given eight to 10 years to live. In June 2022 he was cleared of the cancer and the Buderim couple were married.

They made a pact and vowed to each other that if the cancer ever returned they didn’t want to know how long they would have left together.

Mrs Feldman’s best friend and her maid of honour, Courtney Robertson, said the couple had a relationship many were envious of – like something from a fairytale.

She said every day they were together was like a real life romantic comedy.

“They were just so in love, all the way to the very end,” Ms Robertson said.

“Even towards the end when he was bedbound he was using all of his energy to reach out to her and hold her hand.

“Doctors told him not to and said it was about the same as running a 200m sprint for him. But he wanted to hold her close always.”

Thomas and Tarsha Feldman at their wedding. Picture - contributed.

Before the deadly cancer returned the couple were gifted a miracle – their beautiful baby girl Lucy.

“Doctors said because of his cancer treatment and her PCOS they’d never be able to conceive naturally,” Ms Robertson said.

“It was honestly a miracle and complete surprise when Tarsha fell pregnant.

“A dream come true.”

In November 2023, when Mrs Feldman was 16 weeks pregnant, the cancer returned.

Thomas and Tarsha Feldman dancing at their wedding. Picture - contributed.

Mr Feldman was now fighting multiple brain tumours, all more aggressive than before.

On May 8, 2024, their beautiful miracle baby Lucy Feldman was born.

On May 12, the little family celebrated their first and only Mother’s Day together.

Then on May 16, Mr Feldman was admitted to the palliative ward at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and later moved to Dove House at Caloundra.

He tragically died, surrounded by his loving wife and four-week-old daughter, on June 11, 2024.

Thomas, Tarsha, and Lucy Feldman. Picture - contributed.

“We fought with everything we had. We tried chemo again and fought to get into clinical trials,” Mrs Feldman said.

“Thomas would have gone through anything if it meant getting to spend more time with me and his child but it wasn’t meant to be.

“You know when you found your person and he was my person and I was his.

“I am grateful for the 10 years we had together but wish we had longer.”

Ms Robertson said it’s been an incredibly difficult month for her best friend – but her love for her late husband and new daughter is getting her through.

Thomas and Tarsha Feldman. Picture - contributed.

“Tom was a happy go lucky, funny, lovely, and generous man. He cared about everyone but always put his wife first. He loved Tarsha, and then Tarsha and Lucy, more than anything,” Ms Robertson said.

“Lucy is a reminder to be strong and of everything good Tom was.

“She’s all she has left of him.

“She’s handling it all with incredible grace.”

Mr Feldman’s dying wish was to leave earth knowing the love of his life would be buried next to him one day.

Thomas and Lucy Feldman. Picture - contributed.

“He wanted Tarsha to know how much he loved her and baby Lucy,” Ms Robertson said.

“They bought a double pot for him to be buried in at the Caloundra cemetery.

“It was the last spot left so now that cemetery is full pending Tarsha.”

Mrs Feldman has since moved to Brisbane to live with her family and raise their daughter. You can support her here.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast man Thomas Feldman loses cancer battle