Connie Johnson has opened up about talking to her children about her battle with terminal cancer and how their conversations have changed from ‘there’s still options’ to ‘mummy’s going to die.’
Ms Johnson, who is in the final stages of breast and liver cancer, told The Age this week she is hopes to live long enough to see her youngest son turn 10 at the end of September.
‘I would be very surprised if I was still around at Christmas. I’m just hoping against hope that I’m still around for Hammie’s birthday on September 26,’ the 40-year-old said she told her children, Willoughby, 12, and Hamilton.
Canberra mother Connie Johnson has opened up about discussing cancer with her two sons, and how their conversations have changed from ‘there’s still options’ to ‘mummy’s going to die’ (pictured with her husband Mike and sons Willoughby and Hamilton)
Ms Johnson, who is in the final stages of breast and liver cancer, said this week she is hopes to live long enough to see her youngest son turn 10 at the end of September (pictured with Willoughby)
Connie Johnson (pictured) shared the heartbreaking reality of her life in hospice care in a post Tuesday, as she nears the end of her fight against terminal cancer
Although she has been open with her family about her life-long battle with cancer, Ms Johnson said discussions with her children have changed since she was admitted to a hospice in Canberra in July.
‘The conversation has had to change from, “We’re still working, there’s still options” to “There’s no options left and we have to come to terms with the fact mummy’s going to die”.’
Ms Johnson said Willoughby told her to keep fundraising for her charity Love Your Sister and drafted a business plan for her.
‘And he’s very much focused on that side of things, where he feels he is doing things he can help, whereas Hammie has gone into himself a bit. It’s very difficult for both of them to cope,’ she said.
She said Hamilton often comes to visit her in her hospice room, which has been decorated with family photos and balloons.
Her oldest son, Willoughby, has stayed the night on several occasions, she told The Age.
The 40-year-old’s condition was dire when she was admitted to Clare Holland House but has since become stable.
Ms Johnson said that although the hospice has brought her some peace, she wants to die at her family’s Canberra home.
On Tuesday, the sister of actor Samuel Johnson described how she has been ‘mourning the loss of my bodily function’ in a post made to the Love Your Sister page Tuesday.
The 40-year-old’s condition was dire when she was admitted to Clare Holland House but has since become stable (pictured with her sons)
The mother-of-two revealed that while she can no longer walk and finds breathing difficult, she has been doing her best to ‘find the positives’.
‘I can’t walk anymore. Breathing has become difficult with the swelling of the liver. Sitting up is difficult with the swollen abdomen,’ she wrote.
Ms Johnson even revealed that eating had become ‘a bit of a chore’ and had left her feeling ‘cheated out’ of such everyday experiences.
But ever the optimist, she pointed out all the things that she was still lucky enough to have.
‘I still have my mind, there’s no cancer there. I still have my hands and arms for hugging my children,’ Ms Johnson wrote.
‘I still have eyesight for seeing my friends, I still have my hearing for lovely conversations and music.’
She finished off her note by stating how she ‘celebrated’ these moments and despite her battle with breast and liver cancer still managed to be ‘wonderfully happy’.
The sister of actor Samuel Johnson (pictured together) described how she has been ‘mourning the loss of my bodily function’ since moving into hospice care
The mother-of-two revealed in the Love Your Sister post that she can no longer walk and finds breathing difficult, but has been doing her best to ‘find the positives’
The post drew an overwhelmingly show of support, with more than 64,000 reactions and thousands of comments.
People praised Ms Johnson for her honesty and for sharing her story with others around the world.
‘I am so amazed at your positivity and courage. I don’t think you will ever know what a huge inspiration you are to so many people,’ one person wrote.
Another added: ‘Thank you for reminding us no matter how hard life is we still have the simple things.’
Ever the optimist, Ms Johnson pointed out all the things that she was still lucky enough to have, including ‘arms for hugging my kids’ and ‘eyesight for seeing my friends’
Ms Johnson and her brother (pictured together) have been vigorously campaigning to raise funds and awareness to beat cancer following her diagnosis four years ago
Her letter comes just days after the brave mum ‘broke out of hospice’ to take part in a fundraiser for the Hearts As Big As Yours campaign.
Ms Johnson attended the art project in Canberra on Sunday, sporting a pink beanie and big smile as she took to Instagram.
‘About to break out of the hospice now. I’m on my way. Can’t wait to see Marie and all the villagers. See you there soon,’ she wrote.
The venture was founded by Sydney artist Marie Ramos and involves collecting fingerprints shaped like love hearts.
Ms Johnson and her brother have been vigorously campaigning to raise funds and awareness to beat cancer following her diagnosis four years ago.
The Gold-Logie winning actor rode around Australia on a unicycle in 2013, raising $1.6 million for breast cancer awareness and research.
Her post came just days after the brave mum ‘broke out of hospice’ to take part in a fundraiser for the Hearts As Big As Yours campaign
Ms Johnson decided to end all treatment earlier this year, having gone through a double mastectomy and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation
While this year the pair’s Big Heart Project, where five cent pieces were made into a giant heart, raised more than $2 million.
Ms Johnson decided to end all treatment earlier this year, having gone through a double mastectomy and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.
She had previously suffered bone cancer at age 11 and a tumour in her womb at 22, before she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
‘That’s 10 to 11 years of cancer treatment in a 40-year lifespan and I guess my organs are just saying, ‘No more. No more’,’ Connie told The Canberra Times.
The Love Your Sister social media accounts document her brave journey and her brother’s never-ending support.
The mum-of-two had previously suffered bone cancer at age 11 and a tumour in her womb at 22, before she was diagnosed with breast cancer