Life-saving surgery
checks it was found. If I had not had that check I would not have known until it was too late, probably in a couple of years,’’ Carne said.
‘‘The surgeons have been able to remove it in its entirety. Moving to New Zealand has absolutely saved my life. Without that medical I would have been a goner,’’ she said.
More than 600 people donated money so Carne could have the surgery. Only a fraction, maybe two dozen, of those donors were known to the family.
Carne began to cry when asked what she would like to say to the donors. ‘‘They have saved my life . . . It is incredible . . . I have never known anything like it.
‘‘Originally I was told it was probably lung cancer. I spent a long time imagining leaving my babies and Tom having to be a single dad. It was a terrifying feeling. The relief I feel now is incredible,’’ she said.
St Luke’s Church in Havelock North came through with a large donation, as did the Havelock North New World and the Rodney Green Foundation.
Three weeks after her surgery the family was granted residency. Carne and Blanning plan to get married next year.