Brave cancer battle 'I'M FIGHTING THIS FOR MY DAUGHTER'

Hamilton mum Karen reveals what she's learnt from her second struggle with the deadly disease

Friends and family are Karen Pratt's “village people” – the team she knows will be there to raise her 11-year-old daughter Brooke if she can't. And she thinks that's a pretty good worst-case scenario as she battles cancer once more.

"The second time around, I'm learning not to be too proud to ask for and accept help," the 49-year-old solo mum tells Woman's Day. “This is something you shouldn't have to deal with alone. The only way to get through this for me has been to focus on today and graciously accept all offers.” The Hamilton teacher is incredibly optimistic and proud that she's far healthier now than when she was first diagnosed with cancer in 2019.

Fortunately, history seems to be repeating and she's responding well to treatment.

It was in December 2018 that Karen went to her doctor after struggling to swallow. She went back again the following January 2019 with the same complaint, plus a dull pain in her breastbone. She had tests and was given medication, with no improvement.

In March, experiencing severe pain, Karen went to Tokoroa Hospital and had more tests, but was soon sent home. The next day, she went to the emergency department of Waikato Hospital, where she spent six days.

Finally, in April, she received the life-changing news that she had a partially obstructing malignant tumour of the lower oesophagus, the gastro-oesophageal junction and the proximal stomach.