'I don't know how much time I have': Terminally ill mother, 34, whose letter to her young sons broke hearts around the country moves into palliative care

  • Terminally ill mother-of-two Sara Chivers has moved into palliative care
  • She was diagnosed with a brain tumour, nine years after she beat brain cancer
  • Just months later, her 20-month-old son Alfie was diagnosed with brain cancer
  • The inspirational mother penned a heart-wrenching letter to her two sons
  • She is now fighting to save Alfie's life and spend valuable time with her family

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.

Melbourne mum-of-two Sara Chivers has died 10 months after being diagnosed with terminal brain tumours, in the palliative care centre where her young son Alfie is being treated for brain cancer

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

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.

Sara spent her final months on earth campaigning for awareness and funds to help find a cure for her son's illness 

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.

In the heartbreaking letter she wrote to her sons, Sara urged the boys to 'love hard' and to be kind to their father Leigh

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 has had three separate surgeries to remove fluid from his brain to help him fight the cancer 

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)

'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)

For those wanting to financially support brain cancer research in Australia, Sara recommends donating to Cure Brain Cancer or Carries Beanies 4 Cancer .

 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

DEAR HUGH AND ALFIE,

I won't be around to see you grow up. It's a hard thing to say and even harder to face. You will have to hear from others the little things that made me me: my perfume of choice is Michael Kors, my favourite meal is spaghetti bolognese, winter is my preferred season. I wish I was a better cook. I'm a keeper of mementos – tiny hospital name tags, the poem Leigh wrote for my 21st birthday, first baby clothes.

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.

Don't be afraid of expressing your emotions. I will never tire of hearing 'I love you' from Leigh, you boys, my family, friends.

Love hard. As they say, it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. That's how I feel about you both. Heartbroken doesn't come close to describing the pain I feel at not being in your lives in the future, but I would never change or forego the time we have spent together and the immense joy you have brought me. You are without a doubt my proudest accomplishments.

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.

Always try your best; I could never ask any more of you. Never fear failure – you will learn more from mistakes than successes. There's never anything more certain than change so embrace it. Don't be afraid to try new things. Travel as much as possible – it will shape who you are.

Be brave in your convictions and believe in yourself. Never tease or ridicule someone because they're different to you. You will be a better person by surrounding yourself with people who will challenge your views and beliefs.

I can never emphasise enough the importance of good table manners. Remember to say please and thank you. Address your friends' parents by Mrs, Ms or Mr unless told otherwise. Make your bed when you stay at other people's houses, and always offer to clear their table and do the dishes.

You will have friends for a season, friends for a reason, friends for life. It won't take too long to work out which ones fall into which category.

Family comes first. We will always be there for you to fall back on regardless of any mistakes or bad choices, and will help you through tough times and to celebrate life's wins.

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. 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.

Your Dad is the most admirable, courageous man I have ever known. He is my companion, my rock, my everything. He has shown true grit in the face of our adversities, and without him beside me I would have crumbled.

I will be forever grateful for the time we spent together, the memories we created, the love we shared. It was always him. Always will be.

Love,

Mum

Source: The New Daily

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