Two single mums were fit and active when they were diagnosed with colon cancer. Despite the shock, they find strength in their daily chats and unwavering optimism. Waikato besties Jackie Robertson and Becki Ross always have plenty to chat about on the phone most days.
Both are single mums and career women in their forties, who love being physically active. They’re witty, determined and optimistic – and they also have stage four colon cancer . “When Bex and I were diagnosed, we were both such fit, strong, active women, so it was a real shock,” says Jackie, 46, a mum to 12-year-old Zac, who is nonverbal autistic.
“But I totally believe in the power of the mind and the minute you give in to something, you accept it. I told Bex, ‘We’re not going to be a statistic!’” The duo first met through the rowing community in 2010, however, it wasn’t until a mutual friend of Becki mentioned Jackie was also going through colon cancer treatment that they reconnected in January. “I reached out to Jackie and we’ve been in touch almost daily since,” says Becki, 43, who’s a mum to Maddi, 16, and Jackson, 15.
“We’re bright and bubbly, and laugh about a lot, but deep down, we’re terrified of the unknown. It’s a really scary situation at our age and being on our own with children. We can share our fears and know the other gets it.
” Part of the pair’s struggle is the gruelling chemotherapy , which causes side effects including exhaustion, thinning hair, sore cr.
