Ballarat mum's brave cancer battle

DESPITE her current battle, the thought of dying is not at the forefront of Belinda Skewes’ mind.The 36-year-old mother of four was diagnosed with Metastatic Cancer of unknown primary late last year – an advanced form of cancer that spreads throughout the body without a known origin. But this hasn’t stopped her from living a positive life.“I don’t even think about it (death),” Belinda said.“It’s not that I’m scared of it and it’s not that I’m in denial. All my energy goes into the kids.“I’m not afraid to die but I just don’t think it is a possibility. When you start to feel like that, half your fight dies.”Her optimism keeps her strong, as do her children – Baylee, 11, Ryan, 8, Ashleigh, 2, and William, 1 – and her loving husband Nathan who are behind her every step of the way. And although her current life expectancy is three to four years, Belinda believes she can fight for much longer.“I have moments where if I think about it too much it is overwhelming,” she said.“There are days when I think, this isn’t fair, but at the end of the day that doesn’t get me anywhere.“The doctors said in a best case scenario I’d have three to four years but I don’t believe that.”The cancer was identified in December last year after a CT scan was conducted on Belinda’s neck and upper spine.After being advised of cancer in her spine, Belinda was sent for more tests.Only a couple of days later, the Brown Hill resident was admitted back to hospital where she was told she had an aggressive form of cancer which had spread to her breast, left ovary, ribs and legs.“The week I got diagnosed, whatever bothered me an hour before the diagnosis seemed incredibly petty,” Belinda said.“It sounds really silly but a lot of things in this cancer have been positive things.“We’ve had so many people donate their time, food and money and the amount of resources available you don’t usually realise.”Belinda has been undergoing six weeks of chemotherapy to date. Last week she was admitted to Gandarra Palliative Care Unit, and tomorrow she will find out what stage the cancer is at. Afterwards, the doctors will determine the next course of action.Belinda’s husband Nathan Skewes has given up his job at Wilsons Fruit and Vegetables to act as a full-time carer while his wife undergoes treatment.“We feel really blessed and really loved,” Nathan said.“I always knew the world was filled with beautiful people but now I really know.”Wilsons Fruit and Vegetables will be holding a fundraising trivia night on Friday to raise support for the Skewes family. The event will be held at the Wendouree Tennis Centre and hosted by Trivia with a Twist.Tickets cost $15 and a raffle will be held during the night.Wilsons is currently seeking product items or vouchers from Ballarat businesses to aid the raffle and games on the night.For more information, contact Mandi on 0448 023 546 or Heath on 0422 142 351.