On arrival at her doctor’s office, the 32-year-old Australian Hannah Thomas was met with an unexpected cancer diagnosis in 2022 after a routine blood test. These tests revealed that she had T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This rare form of cancer affects the blood and bone marrow. This devastating upheaval occurred shortly after Hannah and her partner, Simon, married in the spring of 2023. It piled unnecessary emotional stress on an already emotional time in her life.
In an effort to fight the disease, Hannah briefly went to a specialized hospital in Singapore to receive treatment. That’s where she enrolled in a clinical trial that provided her with a ray of hope. Hannah and Simon became Singapore residents for five months. As for Abigail—during that period, she underwent the most aggressive chemotherapy regimen available five days a week for two months. Together they faced the emotional and physical challenges that come from living abroad. In the meantime, Hannah celebrated Christmas, New Year’s and her 32nd birthday—all while connected to the hospital.
After finishing treatment and a later bone marrow transplant, Hannah got great news. A year later, subsequent tests showed that cancer was absent from her body. This journey was not an easy path. Here are Ms.
Everything changed for Hannah during a routine visit to her haematologist. There, she and Simon found out for the first time that CAR T-cell therapy was a promising option. In Australia, you can receive cutting-edge treatment for the more prevalent B-cell types of ALL. Yet it still is not available as a standard treatment for T-cell ALL. This surprising discovery underscored the lack of effective treatments that existed in their mother country.
To illustrate this amazing program, Dianne Mehmet, whose son Jordan went through the same arduous journey with cancer, gave her story as a cautionary tale. In 2013, Jordan was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. This rare and aggressive cancerous tumor attacks the bones and soft tissue. After three years of extensive treatment, comprising radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, Jordan returned home after what felt like an eternity. He moved to Melbourne in October 2016. Tragically, he died just three months later at age 22.
Dianne’s experience with Jordan inspired her to pursue experimental therapies abroad. She told him that she wished to give him hope in his fight against cancer.
“I didn’t want Jordan to think for one more minute, ‘What am I going to do?’ and have it hanging over his head.” – Dianne
She reflected on the emotional toll such journeys take on families:
“If you have to travel overseas for treatment, your life is disrupted in so many ways. And it’s not just you, it’s the impact on your family [and] your friends.” – Dianne
Dianne noted the additional challenges families face when navigating foreign healthcare systems:
“You’re living in a place where you don’t speak the language, you’re totally out of your comfort zone. You can’t have all your support there.” – Dianne
Dianne’s determination to provide Jordan with time and hope persisted throughout his illness:
“He was happy, and he always had hope.” – Dianne
Simon Thomas, reflecting Dianne’s feelings, as he stayed emotionally and financially supportive of his beloved wife Hannah during her battle with cancer. He emphasized the singular focus he had during this difficult time:
“With Ewing sarcoma, most people do not live past five years … but I just was hell-bent on trying to give him time.” – Dianne
He added that his ultimate goal was to ensure Hannah’s recovery:
“What made it simple for me was having a single purpose … to look after Hannah, make sure she was comfortable and got the treatment that she needed.” – Simon
Hannah for recognizing the complicated realities of their circumstance. She reflected on her feelings of guilt amid their struggles:
“And ultimately to get her better and bring her back.” – Simon
Hannah’s and Dianne’s stories are increasingly common among Australians. Thousands more are increasingly turning to international care due to a lack of domestic healthcare options. Dr. Michael Bonning, a medical expert from Australia, praised the incredible standard of healthcare in Australia while recognizing it was not universal.
“Though it’s hard not to feel a bit guilty. And I think it’s only natural to wonder if you’re worthy of all that.” – Hannah
Hannah’s and Dianne’s experiences testify to the struggles most families must endure while fighting cancer. They wrestle with confusing and difficult healthcare choices and emotional devastation. Providing timely equitable solutions. Their stories reflect resilience and a strong desire for hope in the face of uncertainty.
“We have a world-class health system in Australia, but it can’t do everything for everyone at all times,” – Dr. Michael Bonning
He cautioned about the potential risks when seeking treatment overseas:
“When you go overseas, you open yourself up to other challenges [such as] language barriers. Sometimes we also see the standards of care are not the same as we would expect here.” – Dr. Michael Bonning
The journeys of Hannah Thomas and Dianne Mehmet underscore the challenges many families face when battling cancer. As they navigate complex healthcare decisions and emotional turmoil, their stories reflect both resilience and the desire for hope amidst uncertainty.
