Lindsey Cartwright was going for her usual swim when she felt something was very wrong.<\/p>\n
The 48-year-old from Queensland, who is a former professional swimmer, was forced to hop out of the water after doing a few laps after experiencing extreme discomfort around her stomach region. <\/p>\n
She felt awful and described it not so much like a pain but more of a strange discomfort and pressure.<\/p>\n
The mother-of-one trusted her gut and booked herself to see a GP who then referred her to get an ultrasound.<\/p>\n
It was in this moment in February 2025 that her biggest fear would become a reality \u2013 she had cancer. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe lady who did the ultrasound looked at me and when I got home I told my husband \u2018I know there\u2019s something really wrong because of the look in this lady\u2019s eyes\u2019,\u201d Lindsey told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said, \u2018I can tell you it\u2019s not your ovaries\u2019 as (having endometriosis) it was something I immediately thought it was related to.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe told me calmly a radiologist would write up the report and I would receive a call from my GP.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsey was later sent to emergency where further testing revealed she had a tumour in her abdomen that was 15cm by 10cm by 9cm in size.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember I was having lunch with a girlfriend celebrating her birthday and I got a call from one of three specialists (on my case) saying, \u2018Lindsey we\u2019ve decided the best course of action is for you to have surgery tomorrow at 9am\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tumour was located in her abdominal cavity and required a team of surgeons to make a 20cm vertical incision from her breast bone to belly button in order to remove the tumour. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a photo of me after the surgery smiling and looking happy and that\u2019s because it was the best outcome that could ever have been predicted,\u201d Lindsey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were able to remove it \u2013 it had very defined margins.\u201d<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until two weeks after surgery she was given the full diagnosis. <\/p>\n
She had liposarcoma \u2013 a rare, malignant cancer that develops in fat cells, most commonly found in the deep soft tissues of the limbs (like the thighs) or the abdomen. It primarily affects adults between 50 and 65 years old.<\/p>\n
Lindsey was 47 years old at the time. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very scary and intense. I actually didn\u2019t Google it for a long time,\u201d she said, adding she wasn\u2019t ready to face it. <\/p>\n
Lindsey is now required to have a six month MRI for the next two years \u2013 she\u2019s already had two and said thankfully everything is completely clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve felt so much love and support throughout this process that it\u2019s what has helped dull the fear,\u201d the Queenslander said.<\/p>\n
However, one of the hardest parts was when her 14-year-old daughter turned to her and asked her a \u201cconfronting\u201d question.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually didn\u2019t say the cancer word to her, she\u2019s a very emotional girl. But one day she looked at me said \u2018I just want to know are you going to be OK because I am not ready for you to die\u2019,\u201d an emotional Lindsey told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember looking at her and just saying \u2018I love you so much\u2019. Cause I really didn\u2019t have an answer at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsey said coming out the other end cancer free has given her a new lease on life. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs cliche as it sounds, it\u2019s another chance at life and how I spend my days has been a theme I\u2019ve focused on past year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsey has wasted no time experiencing life to the fullest having just returned from a eight-day hike in Peru.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, she said her initial reaction was one of absolute terror when her husband bought her the trip for her birthday.<\/p>\n
She was worried if her abdominal muscles were still working let alone if they could handle eight days hiking at altitude.<\/p>\n
But her friend and GirlsTrek<\/a> tour guide Lisa encouraged her to take her recovery and training a step at a time.<\/p>\n GirlsTrek domestic and international women\u2019s hiking trips are small groups of up to 12 people, with the majority of travellers 40 and older.<\/p>\n \u201cI had to make sure my core would turn on because it was full open stomach surgery, so all those muscles were stripped away \u2013 I had no muscle tone,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n However, slowly but surely she rebuilt her strength and endurance before embarking on the trek with the help of friend Lisa.<\/p>\n \u201cThe experience was just so much more than a hike,\u201d she said, adding she met so many wonderful women along the way. <\/p>\n \u201cI was overwhelmed. I was so proud of myself \u2026 at how far I had come and what I\u2019ve achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n Read related topics:Brisbane<\/a>Google<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lindsey Cartwright was going for her usual swim when she felt something was very wrong. The 48-year-old 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