Fit Aussie mum, 39, given shock bowel cancer diagnosis after ignoring a common symptom - now she's fighting for time with her two young daughters
It came just weeks after she started experiencing bloating and stomach pain she thought was from eating too much pizza.
Tahnee Driver, a 39-year-old aged care wellness coach and devoted mum-of-two from the Mornington Peninsula was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in June and now faces a lifetime of chemotherapy in a race to spend as much time as she can with her daughters Zahlia, 8, and Harmony, 6.
'It's come as such a shock,' she told FEMAIL.
Once both of her daughters were at school, Tahnee had finally started feeling like she'd got a bit of her life back.
'I was focusing on me and trying to be the best version of myself being active, playing basketball, walking, weights and doing all the good stuff. I was feeling really good,' she said.
But what Tahnee thought was the result of her clean eating and new fitness regime was actually a sign something far more sinister was brewing inside her body.
The health scare began in January when Tahnee started experiencing sudden bloating and stomach pain after a few meals.
She chalked it up to rich foods, thinking it might be too much onion or dairy.
But things took a terrifying turn after a night out at a food market when she became violently ill and couldn't keep anything down.
'I was bedridden for three days vomiting, but I honestly thought it was just a bug or food poisoning,' she said.
However, by day four she was getting rather worried so decided to call an ambulance to her home.
Paramedics agreed that it was likely a stomach bug and told her to carry on resting, but as her vomiting continued for another three days, Tahnee knew something really wasn't right.
She drove herself to her GP, exhausted, dehydrated and delirious.
'They called an ambulance for me immediately and took me to the hospital. I honestly thought it was just going to be a 10 minute doctor's trip to get some Gaviscon or something.'
That night, following a battery of tests and an MRI scan, Tahnee received the news that would change her life forever: a tumour the size of a tennis ball had been found in her abdomen.
Just two days later, she was rushed into surgery.
Doctors had initially hoped the tumour could be removed and Tahnee could begin recovery. But when surgeons opened her up, they were faced with a heartbreaking discovery.
'My cancer was quite aggressive, and had already spread to my stomach lining, lymph nodes, pelvis, and liver.'
While no one said the word 'terminal' at first, it was during a follow-up appointment two weeks later with an oncologist that the full truth hit.
'They told me that it's incurable, and chemo is going to treat it, but only for a certain amount of time,' Tahnee said.
In the room with her was her ex-husband Dave – who she says has been 'very supportive' through the entire ordeal – and her loving sister Chloe.
However, telling her young daughters was one of the hardest parts.
She wasn't sure when, or how, to have the conversation. But one morning, while preparing breakfast, she turned to Zahlia and said, 'Me and your Dad have something to tell you.'
'She just looked at me and said "do you have cancer?"' Tahnee recalled. 'I was speechless.'
Zahlia had likely overheard conversations, but her intuition softened the blow.
And, as if by divine timing, a knock at the door interrupted them - a postman delivering a surprise parcel from the cancer charity Mummy's Wish, full of comforting teddies and books for her girls.
'It was exactly what we needed in that moment,' Tahnee said. 'A tiny piece of light in a very dark time.'
Tahnee is due to start chemotherapy on August 8, and while doctors have made it clear the treatment won't cure her, it may help slow the cancer and give her more time with her children.
She's hoping to return to light work between her chemo sessions, just 'to stay sane,' and has been surrounded by support from her mum, sister and her tribe of close friends, who've organised a dinner plan to help take the pressure off.
As for 'bucket-list' things she wants to tick off, Tahnee has booked in a skydive on September 6 and hopes to meet Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes to shake his hand - with her sister Chloe making it happen.
In October, Tahnee turns 40 and her dream is to take Zahlia and Harmony on a family cruise to New Zealand.
A simple wish, filled with memories she wants to make while she still has the chance.
Despite everything, Tahnee is determined to break the mould and prove the doctors wrong.
In fighting spirit, she's even made a conscious decision not to Google anything about her condition.
'This is my story, and this is my fight. Just because someone else hasn't quite got there, I'm planning to get all the way to the end.'
Her one wish now is to raise awareness for other women to take control of their health too and to act when something doesn't feel right.
'I wish that when I was there having my Pap smear (months before), I could have gotten tested for this as well.
'I dismissed my symptoms. I thought I was just bloated from pizza, but I want my story to help others catch it sooner.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
5 minutes ago
- The Independent
The serious diseases caused by toxic chemicals in your food and water
A new report, 'The Invisible Tsunami,' warns that toxicity from chemicals is the 'most underrated threat facing humanity,' with risks to health and the planet 'widely underestimated.' The report reveals that over 3,600 synthetic chemicals, including dangerous PFAS, are present in human bodies globally, with PFAS found in almost everyone tested. Strong links have been established between chemical exposure and severe health issues, including escalating cancer rates, declining fertility, obesity, and neurological disorders, with pesticide use potentially rivalling smoking's impact on cancer. The production of persistent chemicals has led to widespread contamination, breaching a 'safe planetary boundary,' with PFAS found globally in rainwater and human blood. Researchers are calling for urgent, coordinated international action and better standardisation to manage synthetic chemicals, stating the current approach is 'inadequate' and 'misunderstood.'
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bodybuilder diagnosed with bowel cancer wants earlier screening
A bodybuilder who was told he might die before he turned 40 after his bowel cancer was missed has said the screening age for the disease must be 2022, Mat Dean, then 39, trained hard for a bodybuilding show but behind the image of perfection, he was seriously unwell."I looked great, I felt great at that time. But little did I know I had a cancerous tumour inside me that was going to try and kill me," said Mat, from has since had multiple surgeries after cancer spread to his bladder and liver but said he was "fortunate" he was "here to tell the tale". The Welsh government said it followed national guidance on screening. Mat's symptoms started the year before when he would have sporadic, severe stomach pain and find some blood when he had been to the was examined by a GP who said it was probably due to a small tear caused by lifting weights and sent him home. By the following year the symptoms returned and when he lost a stone while on an all-inclusive holiday, it was the concerning trigger to get checked again."I had read up on bowel conditions - things it could be like Crohn's, IBS, there's a list of things and cancer is on your list but not at 39 years old" said time Mat, who was a landscape gardener before his illness meant he could no longer work, was sent for a scan which quickly revealed a large tumour in his bowel that had also spread to his liver. "I cried when I was first told and then I just sat there like 'is this really happening'?"Telling his partner Holly was one of the most difficult moments, who was at home with their five-month-old daughter Willow when he got the diagnosis."In the beginning I think I was in denial, I didn't want anyone knowing, I didn't want it to be gossip," recalled Holly."Anger I felt too - it was a really whirlwind time with a new baby." Mat's initial surgery had to be changed because the cancer had spread to his February 2023 he underwent a second, major surgery to remove the tumour and his bladder, leaving him with two stoma bags, one linked to his bowel and one to his bladder."I was in a world of hurt and I have never seen so many tubes and machines in all my life. I didn't even realise the human body could handle so many things sewn into it but it kept me alive." Earlier this year he had surgery to reverse the stoma bag linked to his bowel but the other remains, something Mat admits he struggled with, particularly on a recent holiday where people stared as he sat by the pool."I was always the guy with the top off in the garden - quite proud of my shape. It's taken a long time for me to take my top off and expose them."But this is the card I have been dealt, I have got to learn to live with it. The bag is a part of me." The latest figures from Public Health Wales show 241 under-54s were diagnosed with bowel cancer, also called colorectal cancer, in 2021, out of a total of 2,654 across all ages.A report in a medical journal at the end of last year found that rates in younger people were rising - something Mat's surgeon, Martyn Evans from Swansea Bay health board has noticed."I've been a consultant for nearly 13 years now and when I look back to my training I have to say it was rare to see a patients under 50 with colorectal cancer. "Worldwide there is a phenomenon that colorectal cancer in the under 50s is getting more common."It's a phenomenon that we don't really understand but it's a worrying concern because what we do know is that when patients who are younger present, often they are presenting at a later stage of disease than those who are older." Mat, who also had to have a tumour in his liver removed, has been cancer free for two years and will be closely monitored for the next he is now looking to the future after proposing to Holly and planning a wedding in 2027."Nobody should go through what I have been through if they just keep a check on their health and their bowels - it can be easily missed," said Mat."I would have died within the year if they'd done nothing... so the thought of being able to get a test earlier which is readily available, I think that's key."In Wales, everyone 50 or over automatically receives at-home bowel screening Welsh government said: "We follow the independent, expert advice of the UK National Screening Committee which recommends routine bowel screening for men and women between the ages of 50 and 74."
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
From dizzy spells to fainting and skin that bruises easily – Dr Zoe answers YOUR health concerns
IT'S a sobering thought that some cancers can advance quietly in the body until they have reached a late stage. This is frequently what we see with liver cancer, which is often diagnosed too late. Last week, researchers projected cases of this disease worldwide could double, to 1.52million by 2050. But crucially, three in five cases could be prevented, the Lancet Commission on Liver Cancer said. You can reduce your risk of the condition by cutting down on alcohol, quitting smoking and, if you are carrying excess body fat, getting support to lose weight healthily. Some risk factors can't be changed – being over the age of 60, being male or having a family history of the disease all increase your chances. So it's important to focus on what we can change. While early symptoms can be rare, unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, and yellowing of the skin or eyes – jaundice – are all potential red flags. Here's a selection of what readers asked me this week . . . FEARS OVER FAINTING 4 Q) CAN the NHS offer me any help with fainting? Since I was a teenager I have had episodes in response to blood tests, smear tests or examinations and other random events involving my body. Now I am worried about pregnancy and childbirth in the future, with all the procedures. What happens if I spend the entire time fainting? No one will know what to do with me. I'm sure this would be discussed with a team of doctors at the time, but is there anything I can do to prepare? A) It sounds to me as though you are describing an issue that is rooted in your psychology but leads to a physiological response. Therefore, the best approach may be psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy. 'Vasovagal syncope' is the most common reason that people faint. The classic stereotype is in the black-and-white movie where a woman sees a mouse and throws her hand to her forehead before fainting. But in real life, we can have the same response triggered by things that are painful, overwhelm us emotionally or that we fear, such as needles or examinations/procedures. So past experiences can make you more likely to experience this response. These can overstimulate the vagus nerve, which regulates heart rate and blood pressure. Heart rate and blood vessels widen, particularly in your legs, leading to a sudden decrease in blood pressure. Then, less blood reaches your brain, resulting in a temporary reduction in oxygen supply, which causes you to faint. It's clever, really. Fainting causes our body to collapse, and that loss of gravity means more blood can get to the brain. Some theories suggest fainting has evolutionary roots, possibly acting as a way to avoid immediate physical harm by making an individual appear more submissive. My advice would be to self-refer to NHS talking therapies to see what type of help would be available to you – most likely cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) initially. Because some of your triggers involve medical procedures, gradual exposure therapy might help. It's a good idea to deal with this now, so when the time comes, you will have alleviated your fears. But do bear in mind the NHS has perinatal mental health services too. Why do I keep losing my balance? 4 Q) OVER the past few months, I notice that I lose my balance when walking. I am a 75-year-old male and take a few medicines for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, which I have sent you a list of. Could any of these cause the balance issue? A) Yes, it is possible your medication is causing dizziness, especially the blood pressure medications and Gliclazide. It's important to always keep an eye on blood pressure. Sometimes, as people get older, especially if they lose weight, their blood pressure can start to get lower over time and sometimes BP medications need to be stopped. Gliclazide is a diabetes medication which can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – a major cause of dizziness, faintness and balance loss. You can become more sensitive to these side effects as you age, especially if you have missed meals or are eating less than before. Another factor in your case is polypharmacy, defined as the regular use of five or more medications at the same time. The combination of several drugs increases the risk of side effects and interactions. I would advise you to ask your GP surgery for a review of all your medications – a GP or pharmacist can evaluate whether any can be reduced, swapped, or spaced out. Also, get your blood pressure checked – including a lying/standing test to see how your blood pressure responds to you standing up – and a diabetes test if you haven't had them done recently. It's worth asking about doing some blood glucose tests at home to check for low blood sugar episodes. If your symptoms persist you may require a further balance assessment – your doctor might refer you to a falls clinic, physiotherapist, or neurologist if needed. Q) I BELIEVE my skin has become very thin, as I bruise and bleed very easily. I am an 83-year-old male. My current medication is nifedipine and levothyroxine, and has been for years. Would taking collagen powder help my skin? A) Skin thinning and easy bruising are quite common with age, especially after 80, and it can be influenced by a natural reduction in collagen and elastin in the skin. However, it is important to always see your GP to be checked for other causes of bruising and easy bleeding before assuming it is just down to thin skin. Your medications – nifedipine (a calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure) and levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement) – are not typically known to thin the skin or cause easy bruising directly. If you get the all-clear from your doctor regarding the bruising and bleeding then it might be worth trialling a collagen supplement. There still isn't what we would say robust evidence to support collagen supplements yet, but studies have shown collagen peptides can modestly improve skin thickness, elasticity, and hydration in older adults. They have other health benefits too, such as supporting the health of joints and bones. However, results vary and the improvements may be modest and take at least two to three months of daily use to show noticeable effects. Not all collagen supplements are the same either. Look for hydrolysed collagen peptides or collagen hydrolysate – these are better absorbed. A dose of 5-10 grams per day is commonly used in studies. Vitamin C helps with collagen synthesis, so either choose a collagen supplement with added vitamin C or ensure you're getting enough through your diet (citrus, berries, etc). Make sure you have a healthy, varied diet too. While collagen powder won't reverse the ageing process, it may offer mild benefits to your skin's strength and hydration, and could be worth trying, especially since it's generally safe. But do keep a note of whether it's helping, and if not, it might be worth stopping so as not to waste money. Cook to slim faster HOME cooking could help you lose weight twice as fast as eating shop-bought meals, according to a study. Research by University College London found that slimmers lost more weight even if the foods were matched for calories, fat and sugar. For example, participants eating porridge and home-made spaghetti bolognese slimmed faster than those who ate shop-bought oat bars and pasta ready meals. People on the balanced but processed diet lost 1.05 per cent of their body weight in two months, while those eating similar but non-processed versions lost 2.06 per cent in the same time. The difference was equal to eating 170 fewer calories per day so could lead to more weight loss over a longer period. The results suggest the way foods are processed makes them less healthy, even when they look like normal meals. We rely heavily on ultra-processed foods, which mak up around two thirds of our daily diet. They include most packaged foods such as crisps, chocolate, ready meals, biscuits and breakfast cereals. Minimally processed foods are those that have to be made such as pasta, rice and milk. Unprocessed foods include fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish and eggs. Senior study author Professor Rachel Batterham said: 'The best advice to people would be to moderate overall energy intake and limit intake of salt, sugar and saturated fat, while prioritising high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, pulses and nuts.' Care after jabs is vital FAT jabs are not a 'quick fix' and patients must be followed-up for at least a year to keep the weight off, warns The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. With more than 1.5million Brits thought to be taking weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, most are on private prescriptions and many do not receive help with diet and exercise alongside it. Studies suggest people start regaining weight within two months of stopping the jabs and often put it all back on within two years. Professor Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer at Nice, said: 'Successful weight management doesn't end when medication stops or when someone completes a behavioural programme. 'The transition period after treatment is crucial. People need structured support to maintain the positive changes they've made. This new standard makes sure services provide that vital continuity of care.' The standard issued to UK medical clinics tells them how to look after patients taking weight loss injections. They must get action plans for staying healthy at home and at work, have regular check-ins and have community support available. Dr Rebecca Payne, head of standards at Nice, said: 'Weight management is a long-term journey, not a short-term fix. 'The evidence is clear that advice and support for maintaining weight after stopping medicines can help prevent weight regain.'
