About me:
My name is Lauren Rayner, I am turning 36 this year. I have a beautiful and caring husband - Jason, and 3 gorgeous young children - Belle (7), and twins Flynn and Otis (5).
I was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine carcinoma (stage 4, grade 3) in September last year (2024) which is considered a rare type of cancer - partly due to it being neuroendocrine cancer but also partly due to it being grade 3 carcinoma which is more aggressive and rare then other types of neuroendocrine cancers. My primary tumour started in my bowel, I unfortunately had multiple lymph node tumors involved in my neck which were protruding and pushing on my trachea and vocal cords. I had another lot of multiple lymph node tumors that were wrapped around my abdominal aorta and a small tumour spot in my lung.
I live in beautiful Tasmania, on the north-west coast with my family and I have been an oncology registered nurse for approx. 12 years which definitely has it's positives and negatives for when you get slapped in the face with this diagnosis. I have always cared for people going through their cancer journey and what that looks like. This included caring for my own dad who sadly lost is battle with pancreatic cancer in 2021. I have been with patients and their families right through grueling treatments, transplants, remission, relapses and end of life care but it is obviously nothing like being the cancer patient yourself.
The possibility of dying is so very confronting but I am determined to get as much quality time out of my life with my young children and my husband. I refuse to let my children grow up without a mother especially while they are so young.
Given that stage 4 cancer means that there is no stage 5 and that for rare cancer's there is limited successful treatment options in Australia; I immediately went to Peter Mac thinking they would have a clinical trial for me, which they didn't but they also told me the average life expectancy for my stage and type of cancer is 14 months, This was just heart breaking to hear and I refuse to accept this.
I commenced on the appropriate eviQ and TGA approved first line treatment pathway for my type of cancer which was carboplatin and etopisode chemotherapies. I had the allowed 6 cycles of this treatment which helped keep my tumors at bay, it didn't shrink any of my tumors but they did not grow at all either. I could only have the allowed 6 cycles of this treatment and then I commenced on second line treatment of FOLFOX chemotherapy. I had approx. 4 cycles of this and while I was having this it was mostly keeping my tumors at the same size however they would grow larger in between cycles and then shrink back down to their previous size after chemotherapy. At a PET scan after approx 3 cycles of FOLFOX it indicated that I had a small growth in the size of my tumors.
Due to my increasing abdominal and back pain which meant I was most likely at very increased risk of bleeding out internally from my abdominal tumors eroding through my abdominal aorta - my oncologist recommended that I write the letters I'd been wanting to write to my children sooner rather then later and get my affairs in order and complete my medical 'goals of care plan'.
This all terrified me mainly for my children, I could not leave them without a mother.
That's when my husband and I decided that we would go over to Germany for treatment. I had cared previously for a man who had been to a clinic in Germany and he had lived another 5 good years at 'end stage' after going there and I was determined to get ANY extra amount of time with my husband and kids.
So with the biggest thanks to our family and friends they managed to raise enough money to get me over to Germany for treatment. I have since returned back home and have had a recent PET scan which shows that all my tumors have completely shrunk down to nothing. Now I know my cancer is stage 4 cancer but if I can get multiple more years with my family I will do ANYTHING.
I have managed to access 3/4 of my treatment that I had in Germany, here in Australia but because it is approved here in Australia for other cancers but not for MY type of cancer it is not funded with the PBS which means we have to pay for treatments privately and also I have been lucky enough for one drug company to grant us compassionate stock.
I also still have to fly to Germany again for more targeted injections every 6 months which has already cost us an absolute fortune even with all the amazing fundraising our family and friends and even complete strangers have done for us. How can you put a price on someones life? We are so truly grateful for everyone that has helped us so far.
$54.12
Kelly Graves
$2k
Anonymous
You're crushing it! Sending positive vibes and much love to you and your family xx
$54.12
Michael Johnson
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family! Wishing you all the best Lauren!
$54.12
Timtam Richards
$43.60
Dixon Family
Thinking of you and your family and wishing you all the very best with your goals.
$53.52
Katy Rogers Photography
Thank you for all the care you have given others. Cheering you on!
$38.33
Mary Ritchie
wishing you continued strength and love Lauren
$52.92
Helen Sheehy
You have offered so much good to the world. May you now benefit yourself you beautiful soul.
$263.75
Anonymous
$106.12
Charlie And Alison Stubbs
Lauren, your story moved us so much and we simply hope that you have many years with your family.
$106.12
H
All the best to you & the family getting on top of this fight
$22.58
Anonymous
$22.58
Anonymous
$54.12
Anonymous
$54.12
Anja Boot
💗💗💗
$54.12
Michelle Mcguire
I am so sorry you are going through this. I hope you get as much time as possible here with your beautiful family. Thank you for being one of the people that cared for my dad on his cancer journey. Xx
$54.12
Yvonne Geale
Hope you can get as many extra years as possible.
$54.12
Debbie Grubb
Sending big hugs you’ve got this Lauren !xx
$54.12
Emily
$38.33
Denise Cropley
Thinking of you Sharon and your beautiful family Love Denise
$54.12
Dannielle Thirlwell
You have got this!! Go kick that cancers butt.
$22.58
Andrea Bonner
$38.33
Mel Mcgee
❤️
$106.12
Catriona Muscat
$11.65
Erin
$101.08
Jade Stephens
Sending you all my love, strength and blessings for a full recovery, Lauren. You’ve got this! X
$11.65
Sally Mcniece
Power to you. If the gov won’t fun it, we will ♥️
$106.12
Sophie, Charlie And Frankie
$106.12
Anonymous
$54.12
Natalie Sydes ♥️
Best wishes Lauren ♥️
$22.58
Kayla Wall
From another Tasmanian nurse and mum with 2 young kids I cannot fathom how you feel. All the best in your journey sister.
$54.12
Warrick & Erin
$22.58
Claire Pollard
$50
Anonymous
$106.12
Wayne Lindsay
$106.12
Beth Murfet
$54.12
Karen
I dont know you but i read your story and Im believing a full recovery for you.
$54.12
Hannah Collings-andrews
Stay strong Lauren. You clearly have such a resilient spirit. May you get to share many more years with your family and may they be good ones.
$37.49
Anonymous
$106.12
Anonymous
$54.12
Jane Munro
From one x oncology nurse to another…we’ve got your back sister …stay strong… you’ve got this xx
$38.33
Anonymous
$54.12
Kirby Gerke
Sending you all the strength and healing vibes! You’ve got this! X
$54.12
Sandra Mccall
Thinking of you xx
$106.12
Mandy Charleston
Sending hugs 🤗
$54.12
Chelsea And Chris Duncan
Best wishes from Chris and Chelsea Duncan, Devonport
$52.92
Gemma Wyllie
$38.33
Anonymous
$38.33
Anonymous
$54.12
Sarah
$103.72
Anonymous
Sending love and healing xx❤️🙏✨
$54.12
Tania
Your strength is amazing..Sending much love and best wishes for your ongoing treatment journey x
$27.81
Belinda Smith
Good luck and I will have you on my thoughts.
$101.08
Jessica Yates
Hi Lauren. As a mum and a palliative care nurse I see how important funding for rare cancers is and I hope that one day the financial burden is at the very least taken away. I wish you many more days/months/years of quality life and happiness with your kids and family 😊💕 Thank you to Rare Cancers Australia for sharing Lauren’s fundraising page 👍
$20
Calista Cresswell
$500
Peter & Jenny Sherriff
$54.12
Brooke Jarvis
You are amazing Loz an inspiration to us all! You got this and we are with you every step of the way x
$17.16
Karen Little
Dear Lauren, This message comes with caring thoughts on your difficult journey. Take care and all the best from Rob and Karen Little x
$10.02k
Anonymous
May every extra day you have with your children and husband be full of joy and love ❤️
$22.58
Jenna
I'm so sorry for what you're going through, but have no doubt you'll get through this xx
$106.12
Sarah
You are one strong woman Laureen! Such an inspiration to your precious young family, friends, strangers and to future patients. Keep shining your beautiful light Laureen x
$263.75
Paul Austin
$85.48
Louise Suner
$54.12
Alison Beswick
$54.12
Gaynor Ellingsen
$158.25
Steph Halliday
Love you beauty 💕
$54.12
Natalie Potter
Sending all of our love to you and your family 💙
$103.72
Vanessa Raynor
You’ve got this - keep fighting xx
$54.12
Anonymous
$520
Phil & Marie Pearn
Stay strong xx
$520
Mclaughlin Family
$54.12
Katie Mckenna
Your bravery & determination is so powerful. ✨ Stay strong, thinking of you & your family & sending you lots of positivity xx
$54.12
Elizabeth Matthewson
I hope you can access all the treatments you need, wishing you well xx
$37.49
Rebecca Mccarthy
Stay strong and all the best with your treatment Lauren. From one nurse and mother to another ❤️❤️
$11.65
Anonymous
$106.12
Hugh And Kylie Burdon
$54.12
Sommer Jeffrey
Your fight 💪 is absolutely inspirational Loz ❤️
$54.12
Calvin Burry
$38.33
Anonymous
$95
Phil & Sharon Mann
$100
Lisa & Woody
Love you babe x
$412.40
Amy And Sean
You got this, Lozzie! ❤️
$54.12
Alarna Fraser Maney
$54.12
Carolyn Roberts
Sending love Lauren from all the Roberts family! ❤️❤️❤️
$54.12
Lauren Roberts
$54.12
Loz Pitchford
$38.33
Nina Eberhardt
$38.33
Matthew Bright
$101.08
Lynda Mccluskey
Sending you love and strength x x
$54.12
Stacy Seen
Our prayers, thoughts and positive vibes are with you xox
$54.12
Georgie Orlando
$100
Cara Oglesby
You got this Lauz. 🩷
$106.12
Meegan Woodhouse
Love you guys 🤍
$54.12
Anonymous
$50
The Viney Family
$106.12
C Amos
$263.75
Ian Lester Painting
$38.33
Anonymous
$520
The Gleeson's
Thinking of you and wishing you and your family well as you recover.
$38.33
Anonymous
$106.12
Wendy And David Cameron
$500
Anonymous
$22.58
Andrea Harding
$38.33
Dru
Praying for you every day, dear Lauren, and sending big hugs and healing blessings to you and your beautiful family 🫂❤️🩹😇
$54.12
Jenny Rodman
Thinking of you and your beautiful family 💛xx
$54.12
Nicky Seen
You are amazing beautiful Lauren 💗🥰
$54.12
Gemma Casey
Always in my thoughts Loz ❤️ Keep fighting beautiful lady ❤️
$43.60
Caitlyn B
$106.12
Kerry Mal Lee
$54.12
Sally Smith
$101.08
Bianca Perkins
You’re the greatest example of strength and sunshine I know Lauren xx
$200
J,s,p Mastromonaco
$54.12
Michelle Martin
Stay strong
$101.08
Ashlee Smith
$55.27
Michael Burns
$54.12
Andrea Wickham
$54.12
Holly Grosbridge
$17.16
Anonymous
$98.80
Mandy Glann
$250
Georgie Savage
$211
Elfriede Arbesser-rastburg
$54.12
Sarah Jackson
Lauren you amaze me with your strength every day. You are amazing and such an inspiration. You and your family deserve the world. Xxx thinking of you ♥️
$50
Danielle Rigby
You’re incredibly strong Lauren, keep fighting this awful disease xx
$54.12
Joanne Brown
$54.12
Anonymous
One mum to another
$106.12
Jodie And Pete Davies
$20
Anonymous
From another young mum of 3, I send all my thoughts and love to you. Keep fighting Lauren ❤️
$98.80
James & Lyn Blenkhorn
Keep fighting and thank you for what you do.
$22.58
Rebecca Pearson
$100
Megan Holland
$211
Andrew And Jessica Fooks
Thinking of you and the family. Stay strong, you have a lot of people behind you who care
$54.12
Daynah & Chris Glover
Always thinking of you wonderful woman, the world is a better place with Lauren Rayner in it 💗💗 xxx
$515.50
Best Group Tasmania
Sending all our love from the Best Plastering & Total Insulation team. 💗
$11.65
Anonymous
$54.12
Sue Jordan
$54.12
Sue Jordan
$106.12
Sharon And Kevin Smith
Hugs and best wishes! You’ve got this girlfriend 😘
$22.58
Tammy Stuart-mitchell
$158.25
Erin Mahoney
❤️❤️❤️
$54.12
Lewis Perkins
$50
Gabs
Love you Lozzy xx
$22.58
Chloe Holmes
$22.58
Amie Jones
$54.12
Tracy Cox
$38.33
Anonymous
$211
Jess & Henry Xxx
$54.12
Anonymous
Lauren your warmth and compassionate spirit has touched so many, I hope you get many more years with your beautiful family xoxo
$54.12
Gelinda Dell
Hi Lauren, I’m a friend of your Mum and Dad from way back in the Hagley footy days. I watched you grow up along side my daughter. My donation is not much in the big scheme of things but I hope it helps you to access more treatment on your journey to living. Much love G 😊💖
$54.12
Angela Malis
$38.33
Anonymous
Best wishes to you and your family.
$54.12
Anonymous
$22.58
Emily Rataj
$54.12
Sam Hall
$52.92
Yujin Lee
Sending you and family support from rural Victoria.
$54.12
Vanessa Sharman
Wow - soooo heartbreakingly hard - I wish you and your family all the best - from one Nurse to another 🥰
$54.12
Sonia Berry
Best wishes from an ex Mersey Oncology nurse. 🥰
$50
Lisa Fagan
$50
Anita Rataj
$27.81
Anonymous
$54.12
Anne And Mark Elliott
$106.12
Linda Evans
$106.12
H
BIG love
$106.12
Anna Woodcock
Keep fighting Lozzi 😘
$54.12
Jenny Borlini
Good luck gorgeous girl
$101.08
Miles Barnard
$54.12
Michelle Bryan
$263.75
Jacqui Langmaid
$54.12
Jenna Goninon
💗
$50
Anonymous
$22.58
Anonymous
$22.58
Brooke Knowles
$54.12
Jodie Huett
You’re incredible Lauren! ❤️❤️
$22.58
Anonymous
$54.12
Anonymous
$54.12
Denise Symmons
$107.15
Meg, Friend Of Liv's
Sending love and prayers for best quality and so much time with your family and loved ones. ❤️
$54.12
Kathy Birchall
Sending all our love and strength to you Lauren xx
$27.81
Anonymous
$106.12
Neece & Rod
$106.12
Janine Phillips
$35
Stephanie Lee
You’re such an inspiration Lauren. Sending all our love xx
$50
Kristy Lockwood
You are a beautiful inspiration Lauren and I send you strength and love always x
$22.58
Anonymous
$106.12
Samara Sheehan
Sending you so much strength x You have helped so many families with such compassion in your career, it’s only natural we all want to return the gratitude and love to you and your beautiful family xx
$54.12
Jacinta Morgan
$106.12
Tessa H
$50
Anonymous
All the best Lauren
$38.33
Anonymous
$38.33
Sarah Hiller
All the very best!
$54.12
Louise Hedge
$50
Bobby Gray
$3.02k
Rowan Alexander
$106.12
Anonymous
$50
Erin Ashwood
Wishing you all the luck in the world 💕 We used to do swimming with Mandy and you were always so lovely and kind ☺️
$50
Laura Sheppard
$54.12
Anonymous
$22.58
Anonymous
$43.60
Ashlee Barnett
$106.12
Emma Palin
Thinking of you xx
$54.12
Anonymous
$22.58
Lara
$22.58
Anonymous
$101.08
Anonymous
$20
Anonymous
$54.12
Anonymous
$50
Jemima Hamer
$54.12
Traci Griffiths
$54.12
Elise Davey
$38.33
Anonymous
$10
Anonymous
I don't know you personally, but as a mother I know how much this battle must mean to you. You've got this - there is no strength like a mother fighting for more time with her babies.
$101.08
Ping Wang
Thinking of you Lauren!
$54.12
Shane Ellings
I don't know you Lauren but I just wanted to wish you all the best and pray you get the time with your family that you deserve.
$35
Elena Stoyanova
$22.58
Chelsea Eden
$54.12
Michelle Bear
$106.12
Carly Mclelland
Love you beaut x
$54.12
Kim Arney
$54.12
Jenna Ireland
Wishing you many more years with your beautiful family xxx
$54.12
Toyne Howell
Love and best wishes ❤️
$52.92
Steph Crawford
Sending all the Mumma strength in the world to you Lauren. Thank you for your nursing service to the Tasmanian community and I sincerely wish you all the very best with your treatment. From one nurse and Mummy to another, you are AMAZING XX
$50
Kirsty Tuener
$100
Taihlaura Page
Keep fighting beautiful 🩷
$22.58
Sharon Flood
My very best wishes for many more years with your family Lauren.
$150
Shayla Herman
$101.08
Karen Butterworth
Lauren your village will always be there for you 🩷
$54.12
Ildiko Borzak
$38.33
Sarah Sykes
$106.12
Paula Mance
$54.12
Brooke Holden
All our love, The Holden's
$54.12
Angelique Sullivan
$103.72
Jack & Corinna Lester
$54.12
Mel Menger
$22.58
Donna Gillam
$11.65
Anonymous
$300
David & Louisa Patmore 😘😘
$33.15
Anonymous
I pray you get many more years with your children.
$54.12
Anita And Stigz Vonstieglitz
$54.12
Cheryl Jones
Thoughts and prayers are with you 😍
$22.58
Emma Oakley
$54.12
Brooke Okeefe
🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 thinking of you, Lauren xxx
$106.12
Donna Allen
Lauren, I remember you from when Mum was going through treatment. I am saddened to hear you are now going through this journey yourself. I hope this treatment continues to bring you great results 🤍
$54.12
Bron Allen
Best wishes Lauren xx
$100
Kirby Williams
So much love to you Lauren and you beautiful family 🩷 I am Jess Harvey’s friend. You and your family were so kind to me. I too am on a cancer journey. You keep kicking its butt!!
$211
Leanne Howell
Love you Loz ❤️
$54.12
Christina Rowlands
Thank you for the wonderful work you do at the Mersey oncology unit. You all hold a special place in my heart for the care and compassion shown to my siblings during their diagnosis and treatment. I’m so sorry this is happening to you. I hope that you have a long, long time yet to enjoy with your beautiful family. Sending love x
$54.12
Kristy Borlini
Love you my beautiful friend 💕💕
$54.12
Anonymous
$54.12
Anon A Mouse
🩷💙🩷🤍
$50
Madaya Doran
Madaya & Kyle Smith
$101.08
Dannielle Collins
$106.12
Whitney Banfield
You’ve got this Lauren 💪🏻
$54.12
Anonymous
Love you beautiful 😍
$211
Beth Mccauley
Always thinking of you and your family Lauren. You are an amazing person. All of the very best. ❤️
$22.58
Mel N
$54.12
Lj
$106.12
Lee And Sally
With love. Sally and Lee
$38.33
Verna French
$54.12
Anonymous
In memory of our beautiful Karen
$54.12
Emma Cooney
$54.12
Anonymous
$200
Koby Smith
$27.81
Anonymous
$20
Sally Bryant
You're a real rockstar lozz ❤️
$106.12
Rosalie Bingley
You may not remember me Lauren but I think of you often.x
$37.49
Tracey
$101.08
Kate Hoban
Always thinking of you and your family, Lauren. xx
$200
Howe Family
Love you loz. Keep fighting darling.
$22.10
Emily B
Thinking of you Lauren, all the best xxx
$38.33
Anonymous
$54.12
Anonymous
$106.12
Katie Radunz
Sending love and strength 💕
$38.33
D Young
$22.58
Melayne
$22.58
Anonymous
$106.12
Anonymous
$106.12
Anonymous
😘😘😘😘😘
$54.12
Anne & Greg Close
You got this pet 🩷
$20
Anonymous
$100
Ree Madden
You got this xxx
$54.12
Annie And Shaun Barker
$54.12
Jen Francis
$52.92
Anonymous
$38.33
Anonymous
Stay Strong xxx
$158.25
Amanda Briggs
Sending you all the love in the world 💖
$106.12
Em Hudson
Love you babe xxx
$54.12
Stacey Neville
Thinking of you Lauren 🩷
$54.12
Theresa Little
You've got this Lauren ❤️ sending so much love and strength to you and your beautiful family x
$100
Brooke Dertesi
You've got this Lauren 😍 x
$106.12
Graham Baker
You got this Lauren thinking of you guys
$54.12
Karen Barber
Good luck Lauren.❤️
$211
Mahoney
$54.12
Janelle
Hi Lauren, we don't know each other but I wanted to help in some small way. Thinking of you and your family xxx
$500
Rbd Electrical
Wishing you and your family all the very best Lauren 🫶🏻
$770
Anonymous
$54.12
Robin D.
🤞♥️
$54.12
Lily Beer
Good luck beautiful girl, thinking of you and sending hugs from Perth !
$35
Cassi Devries
I don't know you Lauren but from one young mum of 3 to another, my heart goes out to you! Your strength and determination are going to carry you through this, keep fighting 💪
$54.12
Emily Howell
$50
Jenna Briggs
Sending love ❤️
$64.67
Victoria Jackson
$22.58
Anonymous
$54.12
Kim Gower
Wishing you all the very best Lauren xxx
$38.33
Heidi Kirkcaldy
$520
Leigh Jordan
$100
Cheryl Sutcliffe
Wishing you the future you and your family are hoping for xx
$106.12
Dee
Stay strong Lauren!! X
$106.12
Sarah & Mark Cowen
Thinking of you Lauren 👊💪🏽💖
$54.12
Lani Stevens
Sending love xx
$22.58
Mitchell Hudson
go get em soldier! Amanda said you’d love that message!
$50
Lauren Hart
You're very loved Lotti x
$22.58
Ang Mantach
Liv's obvious love ❤️ of you and your beautiful smile made me want to help.
$6.13
Lauren Guinane
$54.12
Erin Webb
xxx
$50
Emma Jessup
$35
Alice Freeman
$50
In Rememberence Of My My Beautiful Sister Karen
$50
Emily Roberts
$50
Anonymous
$300
Leah And John Arnott
You’ve got this, sending love 💕
$22.58
Kate Cooper
Sending you all the love in the world Lauren. 🖤
$64.67
Zara Sutton
❤️❤️
$250
Malcolm And Faye Gardner
🩷🩷🩷
$54.12
Felicity Ross
Thinking of you and your family Lauren. Hope this helps Flick
$54.12
Natalie Szabo
$263.75
Andrea Hicks
❤️
$106.12
Anita Smith
$106.12
Debbie Mohr
$38.33
Judy Mcculla
$50
Megan Patience
You are incredible ❤️
$54.12
Tara Sheehan
You have got this Girl 😘😘😘
$200
Peter & Patsy Allen
😘😘😘😘😘
$50
Molly Mance
$263.75
Angela Manion
$54.12
Abbey Arkless
$106.12
Maurice And Sharlene Richards
You have got this Lauren, stay positive .
$33.15
James Weltsch
$250
Richard And Kate Vines
With our best wishes, stay strong.
I wish you and your family all the best xx