Julie Carne and her family rocked by discovery of tumour in visa x-ray

A ‘fit and healthy’ mother of two undergoing a routine x-ray for a visa application was given the devastating diagnosis of a tumour that was discovered in her chest.

UK-born Julie Carne, 41, was applying for permanent residency in New Zealand when she underwent the medical exam and found an ominous shadow in the results.

The active mother is now scrambling to arrange medical treatment for the condition while she waits to find out if its cancerous.

However her surgery will not be covered by public healthcare in New Zealand, despite Ms Carne living there with fiancé Tom  and her daughters since 2019.

But she insists she’s not bitter – and she says she’s grateful the visa x-ray caught the possible cancer in time.

‘If I hadn’t undergone the medical checks I’d never have known about the tumour at an early stage,’ she said.

‘I’d have had no reason for the x-ray unless I went for residency.’

Julie Carne (pictured) was in the process of applying for a permanent visa to live in New Zealand when she had to undertake the routine medical examine

Ms Carne was initially on a partner of a worker visa while her fiance had a work visa as an anaesthetic technician.

When her visa elapsed she needed to make an application for residency which involved the medical checks.

She said the moment she received her x-ray results was almost too much. 

‘I was overcome. The fear was crippling. I’m a mother of two young girls and the thought of not being here for them was unbearable. It still is,’ she told Stuff.co.nz.

The only way to find whether the tumour is cancerous is to remove it in surgery as it cannot be biopsied.

Staff shortages at Wellington Hospital meant Julie’s surgeries have been so far delayed.

Julie Carne was looking to join her fiancé Tom, an anaesthetic technician, (pictured) in living in New Zealand for the rest of their lives after falling in love with the country

Then when she looked like getting into a postponed surgery she learned her visa status bars her from receiving it in a publicly-funded hospital. 

‘We’re not exactly sure what the reason is, and it’s not something we are angry about,’ she said.’We don’t wish to make a point about the health system or politics.’

The family was informed the necessary surgery would cost $40,000. 

Julie can’t go back to the UK for the surgery either as that would see her sent straight to the bottom of any waiting list for the surgery. 

But family and friends have raised more than $32,000 on a Givealittle page.

‘It’s hard being here with no family, to be honest,’ she said.

‘But the kindness and support we’ve received really has been overwhelming. We are so, so grateful and it has made us more sure than ever that this is our home.

‘This is where we want our girls to grow.’