Real Life

New mum’s bowel cancer fight

The Matamata woman was diagnosed with bowel cancer when she was 28 weeks pregnant.

Samantha McPherson was diagnosed was just 26 years old – and 28 weeks pregnant with her first child – when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer.

The tumour had caused a serious blood infection, and the only way to treat the young Matamata woman was to deliver her baby early.

The cancer was so advanced, Samantha had just two weeks between diagnosis, delivering her son, Lachlan, and her first round of chemotherapy and radiation.

Her partner, Nick Clasper, has set up a Givealittle page to help raise some money for his family.

“Samantha is currently undergoing chemotherapy everyday and radiation treatment five days a week,” Nick wrote on the fundraising site. “This is the first part of her journey.”

Nick shared the next step for his partner is surgery to remove the tumour, and her uterus, meaning she will not be able to have any other children. Samantha will also be given a permanent colostomy bag.

“All that is also then followed by a second round of chemotherapy that will take place over the following four months.”

The couple’s baby will remain in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit for 12 weeks before he can go home.

“Samantha saved her son and her son saved her – we just want this treatment to be a success so her little boy can have his mum forever,” Nick wrote.

“We as a family have a very long road ahead…[Samantha] is taking one day at a time and staying strong for her little boy.”

To support the family, click here.

Related stories