A terminally ill mother who penned a heart-wrenching letter to her two young sons she won’t see grow up has moved into palliative care.
Mother-of-two Sara Chivers, from Melbourne, was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in March, nine years after she beat brain cancer.
As her condition deteriorates, the 34-year-old mother – whose tumour hasn’t shrunk despite undergoing surgery – has been left struggling to walk or talk.
Speaking to The New Daily via email, Ms Chivers made a heartbreaking admission: ‘I don’t really know how much time I have left.
Sara Chivers and her 20-month-old son Alfie have both been diagnosed with brain cancer
The mother previously wrote a heart-wrenching letter to Alfie, his older brother Hugh (right) and her loving husband Leigh
‘Each day brings new challenges. First, it was just some physical weakness, then it impacted my ability to walk or care for the boys,’ she said.
‘Now, the most devastating impact is my speech and energy to even think clearly are being taken away from me.’
And just months after she was told her brain cancer had returned, her 20-month-old son Alfie was diagnosed with the same disease in September this year.
The 34-year-old mother has since moved into the same palliative care centre, where her youngest son – who can no longer walk or talk – is being treated.
The family are building memories together – as the mother and son battle the same disease
Dealing with another blow, the parents were told that for little Alfie to survive, he needed to undergo three months of high-dose of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Mrs Chivers is now doing everything she can to save her son’s life and create as many memories with her family as she can before her time runs out.
And despite her battle, Mrs Chivers said she has remained positive for her family.
‘It’s about trying to get out of bed each day, putting one foot in front of the other so that I can spend time with my boys,’ she said.
She admitted she was ‘terrified’ about dying but she wanted to raise awareness about the disease in an effort to find a cure for her son Alfie.
Mrs Chivers is now doing everything she can to save her son’s life and create as many memories with her family as she can before her time runs out
Her latest interview comes after she penned a heartbreaking letter, supplied to the New Daily, to Alfie and his brother Hugh, aged three, about the kind of woman she is and her hope for their futures.
‘I won’t be around to see you grow up. It’s a hard thing to say and even harder to face,’ her letter begins.
‘I know your Dad, and our village of family and friends, will keep me alive for you as much as they can, but there are some things I want you to hear from me.’
Mrs Chivers goes on to explain that her favourite perfume is Michael Kors, favourite meal is spaghetti bolognese and favourite season is winter.
‘Don’t be afraid of expressing your emotions. I will never tire of hearing ‘I love you’ from Leigh, you boys, my family, friends,’ she continues.
‘Pay attention to study but know there is so much more to school life than textbooks. Play team sports. Try a musical instrument. Learn a language.’
Alfie (pictured with his mother) was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after Mrs Chivers found out the cancer she had beaten eight years ago had returned
Mrs Chivers then challenges her boys to ‘love hard’, be brave in their convictions and always fall back on their family when the going gets tough.
‘Be kind to your Dad. It won’t be easy for him raising you alone, but every decision he makes will be with your best interests at heart,’ she wrote.
‘He is an exceptional father and role model. Don’t let him doubt himself or the wonderful job he will do shaping you into the men I dream of you growing up to be.
‘There will come a time when he wants to find happiness again with a new partner. Accept and embrace his choice, and know she will be a positive female influence in your lives too.
‘I have absolute faith that he will make the right decision, for him and you both, and I hope she enriches your lives as much as you’ve all enriched mine.’
Her emotional letter finishes with a few words to her loving husband Leigh, reading: ‘He is my companion, my rock, my everything. It was always him. Always will be.’
‘He is my companion, my rock, my everything. It was always him. Always will be,’ Sara writes in the letter, describing her husband Leigh (pictured)
Mrs Chivers has undergone surgery on the largest tumour, which has helped with her mobility and will improve her quality of life as she fights for Alfie
Mrs Chivers has undergone surgery on the largest tumour, which has helped with her mobility and will improve her quality of life as she fights for Alfie.
The resilient toddler has had three separate surgeries to remove the fluid from his brain and give him a fighting chance at beating the devastating disease.
Survival rates for brain cancer have not improved in the last three decades.
Mrs Chivers’ sister Stephanie has set up a fundraising page for those hoping to help with the Chivers family’s costly battle against cancer.
For those wanting to financially support brain cancer research in Australia, Mrs Chivers recommends donating to Cure Brain Cancer or Carries Beanies 4 Cancer.