Suraya Jenkins thought her back pain was from the after-effects of having a caesarean… then she learned the cause was much more sinister
A mother of two was diagnosed with stage four cancer just weeks after giving birth to her second child.
Suraya Jenkins, from the New South Wales regional city of Armidale, has cancer in both lungs, her brain and her bones.
The 36-year-old was diagnosed with shock shortly after giving birth to baby Wren with her partner Shannon. The couple also have an older son, Reef, who is two.
Mrs Jenkins suffered from back pain after giving birth to Wren, which she initially thought was due to the caesarean section, but then a local doctor discovered fluid in her lungs.
She attributed other recent health complaints to being in the third trimester.
She underwent further tests and was diagnosed with cancer in early July, when Baby Wren was only five weeks old.
“It happened so fast,” says her cousin Jemah Schmidt, who is a GoFundMe for Mrs. Jenkins, said 9News.
‘It is incomprehensible that her world is turned upside down in an instant.
Mother of two Suraya Jenkins (pictured) was diagnosed with stage four cancer just weeks after giving birth to her second child
Suraya Jenkins is pictured with her two-year-old son Reef and her newborn baby Wren
“That’s when you should put all your love, attention and joy into welcoming this new child.”
The specialists treating Mrs Jenkins have not yet been able to determine where the cancer originated, but she has now started chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
“These therapies will be ongoing and may have some unpleasant side effects,” Ms. Schmidt, 35, wrote on the fundraising page.
She said all funds raised will go “directly to helping this incredible family through their most difficult times.”
This includes medical bills, travel expenses to doctors in Armadale, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour hospitals, household expenses, supplements, recovery programs, mobility aids and breast milk.
Mrs Jenkins, a former travel agent who until recently worked in early childhood education, is unable to breastfeed due to her treatment.
Instead, the milk is provided by the charity Mothers Milk Bank, but because the family lives in a rural area, it costs her $850 a week to have the milk delivered to her.
Mrs Jenkins is pictured with her partner Shannon and their children Reef and Wren
The young mother is undergoing further tests to see what other medications she can take to help her in her fight against cancer.
“Right now we believe it is treatable, we remain hopeful,” Schmidt said.
Local federal MP Barnaby Joyce shared a link to her fundraiser, saying: “Suraya, you are in our prayers.”
Ms Jenkins said she was “honoured” by all the support and had already raised $46,000 by Wednesday afternoon.