Supporting Carol Tyrrell, a loving mother, nanna, sister, daughter, aunty

The last 6 weeks have been life changing for my beautiful mother, Carol, as well as our family, especially my brother Jason and my son Bailey.

6 weeks ago Mum was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer called squamous cell carcinoma in the top part of her nasal cavity, which she initially thought was just hay fever, Mum was referred to 3 different ears, nose + throat specialists within a 2 week timeframe, and she learnt from Dr Leo Pang, Head + Neck Cancer specialist @ Royal North Shore in the cancer unit that tragically she would have to lose her right eye, half her nose, and her lymph nodes to ensure the cancer was removed, and to also ensure the cancer wouldn't spread to her brain nor her other eye, where there was a very strong chance she would go permanently blind and potentially lose her life within months.

On Friday 10th April my Mum under went a 15 hour operation to remove the cancer. It was so hard leaving her side that morning watching her being wheeled in to theatre. So many things were going through my mind, I was so nervous for her; 9 years earlier Mum underwent open heart surgery so I know she is a strong woman and a fighter, and 6 years ago Mum had to go back in and have a pace maker fitted, so I suppose I was worried her heart wouldn't cope under such a long operation.

At 636pm I received a phone call, my heart dropped, I knew it was Leo Pang, he had promised me that he would call me as soon as he finished his part of the operation removing the cancer from Mum. He told me Mum was a fighter and the removal of the cancer was a success, he said it was more difficult than he had anticipated as the cancer had progressed further back in her nasal cavity. He also told me he had removed mums eye, part of her nose and her lymph nodes. He told me she was in for such a long road to recovery, but the most important part for him is knowing that she will hopefully be cancer free. He advised me that Rowan Gillies, Mums plastic surgeon would be in theatre with her until approx 11pm/midnight, stitching mum back up. Because of the large mass removed from Mum's face, she had to have a 'flap' stitched in to her face. A vein was taken from her right thigh, as well as a muscle and skin as an interim measure before she commences radiation therapy, and then her face can be reconstructed. I called theatre @ 1137pm and Mum was officially transferred to ICU, it was such a relief and was one of the best moments of my life knowing that my mum was safe and pulled through this crazy long operation.

I feel like I owe so much to Leo Pang and Rowan Gillies, they are such wonderfully talented truly beautiful people.

Visiting mum in ICU was not easy, but I had prepared myself for that moment. Mum was so happy and relieved to see me, as was I. I spent hours with her chatting about my boys, and random pop culture stuff, I took her a bag of all of her favourite foods, mags and drinks, knowing she wouldn't eat anything for days but just wanted to make her happy. Mum got on so well with all of the nurses they knew everything about her, and everything about me! Typical mum!

On Monday 20 Apr I was able to take mum home, she couldn't wait to see her cat Tabbatha. I was so glad she was able to sleep a night in her own bed.

We know it's still a very long road to recovery, Mum's radiation therapy starts in 3 weeks, 5 days a week for 6 weeks, and she will also have a small dose of chemo once a week for 6 weeks. We just really hope she will be told she is cancer free in a few months. Rowan Gillies has advised he can give mum a prosthesis eye once she has completed her treatment, however the cost is in excess of $15,000.

Thank you so much for your love and support, it means so much to my brother Jason + I, and of course our Mum.

We would love your support and anything you can help with would be so greatly appreciated, as Mum has had to retire because of this.

Thank you so much, Sarah x