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Luci battles new fight on World Cancer Day

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For most of us, today is just another day, but for those affected by cancer, it is a particularly poignant date on the calendar.

It is World Cancer Day (Thursday 4th February), an international day aimed at raising awareness, improving education and ultimately making access to life-saving cancer treatment and care, equal for all.

For West Wallsend mother-of-two Luci Mackersey the day has a significance a little closer to home this year.

Today Luci is undertaking surgery for a secondary tumour near her lower spine.

Having already survived breast cancer and a full mastectomy in February 2020, the 33-year-old learned earlier this week that a new battle was beginning.

“On Monday I came up to the hospital,” Luci told her family and friends. 

“That morning my legs felt like jelly. I have pain in my left leg, we all just thought it was sciatica, as this has been going on for just over a month.

“[Until] I got a CT scan done that night (Monday 1st February). 

“[It] turns out I’ve got cancer on my tail spine. ..It’s putting pressure on my nerves.

“I will need to get surgery done to ease the pressure.”

Oncologists at the Calvary Mater Newcastle have opted to remove the tumour on Luci’s spine instead.

Her operation was scheduled for 5pm.

“I’m just waiting now,” Luci told the Newcastle Weekly earlier.

“I’m feeling tired, but that’s what being in hospital normally feels like.”

When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2020, Luci was 33-weeks pregnant with her second daughter.

In a bid to save both of their lives doctors at the John Hunter Hospital delivered baby Ada by cesarian on 5 February that year.

Luci began chemotherapy treatment three weeks later, while Ada remained in hospital.

At the time Luci recalled feeling “brave on the outside” yet terrified things wouldn’t have a happy ending.

But they did.

Ada arrived home, smothered in attention from dad Tim and three-year-old sister Zoe, as well as grandparents just a stones-throw away.

Life appeared to be getting back on track.

While COVID-19 complicated the little family’s plans in March, forcing a shutdown from the outside world; losing her hair, attending treatments on her own, and cancelling Zoe’s swimming lessons appeared to be the worst of the aftershocks.

“We were just lucky that government support kept [Zoe]’s spot at childcare and our mortgage repayments were deferred too,” Luci said at the time.

By September 2020 Luci had completed her radiation and only had one final check booked in January to show her body was cancer-free.

That was until Monday when her world once again turned upside down.

On the eve of Ada’s first birthday celebrations, Luci’s family is now facing another battle.

In what her family is calling “a whirlwind 48 hours..[that] again won’t be an easy road”, the wait continues.

Yet despite still feeling shock and disappointment at the diagnosis delivered just days ago, Luci says she is determined to stay positive.

“I’ll get through this,” she said.

“With the support of my family and friends.”

Luci’s family have set up a GoFundMe page to help the young family cover ongoing costs. 

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