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"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
On Jaz's 20th birthday in February, she learned her three-year-old daughter, Liv, had cancer.
Jaz noticed Liv’s stomach was unusually swollen and firm on one side during swimming on the Wednesday, and by the Saturday Liv had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Wilms tumour.
"I was vomiting, crying, and couldn't think straight after the doctors told me," Jaz said.
"It was awful. I can't really explain that feeling unless you've been through it yourself.
“When you're told your child has cancer, your mind immediately goes to the worst possible outcome. You think, "Oh my God, my child is going to die."
Stage 4 Wilms tumour is an advanced form of childhood kidney cancer in which the cancer has spread beyond the kidney to other parts of the body.
Liv underwent a nearly 10-hour surgery where the team removed her left kidney and adrenal gland. The tumour was wrapped around a major blood vessel, which made the surgery more complicated than initially expected.
“Handing her over for surgery was one of the hardest things I've ever done,” Jaz said.
“You have to kiss your child goodbye and trust someone else with their life. I sat in the family room all day and didn't leave the hospital. When I finally saw her afterwards, I just cried. I was so relieved she was okay.”
Liv commenced chemotherapy at Queensland Children’s Hospital once a week, which then moved to fortnightly and now every three weeks. She receives check-ups and dressing changes at Gold Coast University Hospital.
“She's honestly incredible,” Jaz said.
“The nurses always comment on how much energy she has. Sometimes she's had days of treatment and she's still running around playing as if nothing happened.”
Jaz describes Liv as her entire world.
“She’s genuinely my best friend,” she said.
“I had her when I was 16 so we grew up together in a lot of ways. She’s changed my perspective so much on life.”
Despite the challenges Jaz and Liv have faced this year, they are still one happy little family. Jaz’s family and friends have also been there every step of the way.
“We make sure every day is happy for Livvy,” Jaz said.
“We don't let cancer become our identity; it’s a bump in the road. It's not our entire life.
“If you dwell on it constantly, your child feels that too. We want Livvy to have as normal a life as possible.
“She's still running around, making us laugh, being cheeky and being herself. That's what matters."
Thankfully her treatment has progressed well, with just two cycles remaining.
If the scans are clear, Liv will be finished and able to do regular activities again such as swimming once her central line is out.
“One thing I've learned from this experience is that unless you've been in a situation, you really can't understand it,” Jaz said.
“A lot of things that seemed important before just aren't anymore. Not because I think life is ending tomorrow, but because you realise how quickly life can change.”
