A young mum has been dealt another crushing blow weeks after being told she had cervical cancer when her baby girl was just 10 days old.
Taylor Johnston and her husband Jesse, both 29, were over the moon when they welcomed daughter Billie into the world on May 19 after a three-and-a-half-year battle trying to conceive and several rounds of IVF.
The Melbourne couple’s world came crashing down days later when Taylor was told she had cervical cancer.
But more devastating news was to come which has left Ms Johnston’s future uncertain and left her in a desperate fight for her life.
PET scans recently revealed she also has a rare bone marrow cancer which has spread, with doctors unable to find where the cancer has grown from.
Ms Johnston has been forced to spend weeks in hospital away from her baby girl as she begins a gruelling first round of chemotherapy, and it will be at least another fortnight before she can finally go home.
Taylor Johnston welcomed Billie Mae into the world after a 25-hour labour and emergency C-section
Taylor and her husband Jesse (pictured together) were delighted to become pregnant after trying three-and-a-half years to conceive
‘Hers is such a rare case that doctors haven’t actually found the primary cancer,’ her husband told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We had to stop all the waiting around for tests and just begin treatment because we don’t know how much time we’ve got.’
He has taken time off work to care for Billie and his wife.
While cervical cancer can be effectively treated when detected early, many forms of bone marrow cancer are aggressive and have no cure.
Due to the rare nature of Ms Johnston’s cancer, doctors won’t be able to give a prognosis on her chances of survival until 4-5 months of chemotherapy.
Ms Johnston had no idea anything was wrong during her pregnancy until the midwife noticed polyps (projecting growths of tissue) on her cervix during the 25-hour labour.
She required an emergency C-section and blood transfusion.
The biopsy results brought devastating news 10 days later.
‘It was hard news to take,’ Mr Johnston recalled.
‘Having a newborn baby was hard enough, let alone cancer. We went through a lot of shock the first few days which turned to emotional.’
The shock diagnosis was followed by weeks of extensive hospital appointments, MRIs, PET scans and the dreaded unknown until tests revealed worse news last week.
Taylor was diagnosed with cervical cancer when baby Billie was 10-days-old
Taylor (pictured in hospital) recently found out she also has a rare form of bone marrow cancer
Ms Johnston remains in hospital as she begins chemotherapy.
‘Taylor is shattered about being separated from Billie and feels like she’s missing out on that bond,’ Mr Johnston said.
‘I’m not working at the moment as I’m looking after Billie and preparing for when Taylor comes home, when I’ll be taking care of both of them at the same time.’
‘The one positive thing is that Billie has settled into a routine.’
The family is stuck in limbo until they find out how the cancer responds to chemotherapy.
‘It would be almost easier if we knew what the outlook was,’ Mr Johnston said.
Despite weeks of unknown ahead of them, the Johnstons are trying to stay positive.
‘It’s been overwhelming and a struggle with a lot to take on but Taylor has always had a positive mindset,’ her husband said.
‘Although it’s extremely hard, all we can do is stay positive and cross our fingers for the best.’
‘The only thing now is hope that Taylor’s body responds to the chemo. We would love for her to lead a healthy life or at least give her as much time as possible.’
Jesse and Taylor Johnston (pictured on their wedding day in March 2022) have been together for 12 years
Taylor Johnston is finding it hard being separated from her miracle baby Billie
Ms Johnston wanted to share her story to encourage other women to get regular check-ups and go to the doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
The couple spent two-and-half years trying to conceive naturally before undergoing several rounds of IVF.
‘It was amazing moment to find out we were expecting as it had been a massive journey to get there,’ Mr Johnston said.
‘Taylor had a really good pregnancy. She had morning sickness the first trimester. The second was cruisy and there were no signs to suggest anything was wrong in the final months.’
‘Taylor has been good with her pap smear check-ups so we were shocked that nothing was picked up.’
Taylor and Jesse Johnston were excited about the future until their world turned upside down six weeks ago
Jesse has taken time off work to look after his wife and baby daughter Billie (pictured)
Mr Johnston’s sister Lani has set up an online fundraiser to help the family in the challenging months ahead.
‘Jesse is unable to work. Taylor is unable to be the mother she wants to be to her newborn baby. She is unable to have her baby by her side overnight whilst she goes through chemotherapy. Any mother’s worst nightmare,’ the page states.
‘This family need you. They need your help and support. It’s time that we help and give back to these two that have given to so many of us in our community.’
The family are grateful for the overwhelming support received with almost $45,000 already raised.
‘We knew our friends would rally behind us but to have complete strangers give support has been mindblowing,’ Mr Johnson said.
His sister added: ‘The support has help keep Taylor’s spirits up.’
Brave Taylor (pictured in hospital) has been left sore and bruised after her first round of chemotherapy this week
Taylor and Jesse Johnston (pictured) are trying to remain positive, despite her uncertain future
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