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Young Mum's Cancer Fight: A Painless Lump, Rare Diagnosis
10 Jan
Summary
- A 22-year-old mother discovered a painless lump, leading to a rare cancer diagnosis.
- She juggled studies, work, and children before symptoms became undeniable.
- Relocation to Melbourne was necessary for specialized cancer treatment.
At 22, Aidyn Clements, a mother of two in Burnie, Tasmania, initially attributed her overwhelming exhaustion to her demanding life. However, a painless, golf-ball-sized lump discovered in her collarbone in 2022 prompted urgent medical attention. Despite no sharp pain, her instincts and her fiancé's concerns spurred a swift GP visit and scans.
Doctors suspected soft tissue sarcoma, but further tests in Melbourne revealed a rare and aggressive form of Ewing sarcoma in her chest wall. This diagnosis, typically affecting younger individuals and bone, presented a unique challenge. Due to a lack of specialists in Tasmania, Aidyn and her family relocated to Melbourne for her treatment.
Her intensive treatment involved 14 chemotherapy cycles over 12 months and major surgery. The Sony Foundation's You Can Stay program provided vital accommodation, easing the burden during her 275 nights in Melbourne. Now 26, Aidyn is in remission, has welcomed a third child, and advocates for trusting one's body, having learned to truly live after her survival.
