By Dewi Sherry
At 31 years of age, mother of three Taegan Bellingham is in the fight of her life.
In June, just two days before their first family trip to Thailand, the Hoppers Crossing family received “the shock of their lives”.
Taegan was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
“We’ve got three children, I was working full-time and studying a double diploma. As a mum you take on the world so at no stage did I think I was sick,” Taegan said.
Three weeks before she was diagnosed, on Mother’s Day, Taegan donated her healthy blood. Only weeks later, she was told the leukaemia had entered her bloodstream.
“It baffles me that in that three weeks, I went from being a donor and donating viable blood, to finding out I had leukemia. I just never thought it would happen,” she said.
Taegan has blood tests twice a week. At the moment she’s neutropenic (low white blood cells) and has no immunity. It is too dangerous for her to go outside, let alone into the community.
For the past three and a half months, she has only spent a couple of weeks at home – the rest in hospitals receiving treatment.
“It was only two days between the time of being diagnosed to the time of starting treatment. It’s so acute and fast acting, that if the doctors don’t start treatment straight away … I don’t even want to think about what could have happened,” she said.
Taegan is mother to three children, Kavanna, 11, Harlen, 9 and Sereiah, 5. And even though he now works two jobs, her husband Oliver has been by her side every step of the way.
Her eldest daughter has taken on the role of ‘mum’ and tried to look after her siblings and help her father.
“No 11-year-old should have to take on such a big role. We appreciate it so much but it shouldn’t have to be this way,” Taegan said.
“My youngest is quite funny.
“Her biggest issue was that mummy was losing her hair and was worried she was going to lose hers too.
“My husband has been amazing, he’s held everything together. We have our moments when we cry together but he’s my rock.”
Taegan has now geared herself up for the possibility of having a stem cell transplant. Taegan’s twin brother has been matched with her and will be the donor.
Oliver has now set up a GoFundMe page, hoping to achieve $50,000 to help with Taegan’s medical expenses.
So far they have raised just over $20,000.
On October 21, at the Grandstar reception centre in Altona, the family is holding a fundraiser for Taegan and another woman who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. A further fundraising event will be held in December.
To assist and donate, visit www.gofundme.com/taegans-leukaemia-battle
