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At 28 years old, Carina Camilleri’s world has been turned upside down after being diagnosed with a ‘rare’ and deadly form of cancer.
The mum-of-three from NSW started experiencing ‘flu’ symptoms along with pain in her nose and teeth three days after giving birth to her third son, though she was misdiagnosed with ‘sinus issues’ after seeking treatment.
But MRI and CT scans later detected a tumour in her maxillary sinus (near the nose), leaving a ‘shattered’ Carina completely numb and uncertain about the future.
After surgery and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with stage four NUT midline carcinoma – an extremely rare and aggressive cancer that can grow anywhere in the body.
Mum-of-three Carina Camilleri (pictured), from New South Wales, was given the shock of her life after being diagnosed with stage four NUT midline carcinoma – an extremely rare cancer that can grow anywhere in the body
Doctors told Carina her cancer is ‘so rare’ they are working with physicians and experts worldwide to find the best possible treatment for her
‘I just felt numb, my heart shattered into a million pieces,’ she told 7News.
‘All I remember is falling to the floor and just thinking of my three boys and my family. It was soul crushing, no words anyone deserves to hear.’
At the time her newborn was only nine weeks old.
Doctors told Carina her cancer is ‘so rare’ they are working with physicians and experts worldwide to find the best possible treatment for her.
Carina has been undergoing two doses of immunotherapy along with two doses of chemotherapy every three weeks to fight the cancer and prevent it from spreading. But the treatment is expensive costing a minimum of $13,000 per dose and isn’t subsided
Carina has been undergoing two doses of immunotherapy along with two doses of chemotherapy every three weeks to fight the cancer and prevent it from spreading.
But the treatment is expensive costing a minimum of $13,000 per dose and isn’t subsidised.
She’ll need at least six treatments and possibly more depending how the successful the previous doses are.
Due to the shocking diagnosis, Justin has needed to take time off work and downsize his business to care for Carina and their three young children.
Knowing the pain the family is going through, Carina’s sister Charlene Galea created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of treatment while raising awareness for the cancer
Knowing the pain the family is going through, Carina’s sister Charlene Galea created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of treatment while raising awareness for the cancer.
After just one week, 670 generous donations have been made and $116,000 has been raised.
More than anything, Carina is putting her family first and is facing this tough time full of ‘faith, optimism and complete courage’.
According to the GoFundMe page description, Carina is ‘determined’ to fight against the disease and be there for her family, husband and children.
By sharing her story she hopes to raise awareness for the cancer in hope for more research to be done.
If you would like to support Carina, you can visit to GoFundMe page here.
Source: DailyMail
