When 36-year-old Tanya Mannella started experiencing stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and weight loss, doctors told her it was just ‘girl problems’ but the issues persisted and her health got worse.
Tanya, from Florida, soon had a high fever and had to have surgery as her appendix had perforated and was causing her to become septic, leaving her in hospital for two weeks.
She initially thought it was a rough patch in her health, but a colonoscopy revealed that Tanya had stage four colon cancer at the age of 27.
In 2012, Tanya underwent eight hours of gruelling surgery to remove the cancer from her body, which included; one foot of her colon, one hernia, one ovary and a fallopian tube, as well as part of her rectum. She also had chemotherapy.
Then, in 2017, Tanya received devastating news once again, as her cancer returned and she was put through another surgery to have more of her colon removed, a total hysterectomy and had a reversible ostomy put in place.
Tanya couldn’t face going through chemo again and so was placed into home hospice care and given six months to two years to live.
But in June 2019, Tanya celebrated two years of life after cancer and doctors have now labelled her a miracle.
And she puts it down to one surprising factor – her love of Disney.
Tanya dresses up as Disney characters, and says it has kept her ‘young at heart’ and made her a more positive person.
Now that she’s cancer-free, Tanya loves doing Disney cosplay.
‘Chemo was the single worst thing I have ever experienced,’ she explained.
‘This was the main reason for me opting out the second time. I was constantly nauseous and fatigued.
‘I knew chemotherapy was not an option. I only had six months to live and did not wish to spend them feeling horrible.
‘I would much rather spend that little time that I had left enjoying life with family and friends and at Disney. I have never looked back at my decision, as it was mine alone to make.’
In autumn 2017, Tanya had her ostomy reversed, which took some months to adjust to, and she was in a wheelchair for the best part of a year due to her weakened state.
She has also followed a vegetarian and largely plant-based diet since 2000 and doctors believe this could be key to her survival.
Having a stoma bag proved to be quite difficult for Tanya, who said it would often burst. She also developed an allergic reaction to the tape around the bag.
When she had it removed, Tanya was forced to wear adult diapers, which she says left her feeling ‘humilated’.
But now Tanya shares her story of survival to help others get through theirs and encourages them to think of the things they love, in the same way that she adores Disney.
Tanya has been to Disney World around 100 times but staying in the castle is a dream of hers that is still on the bucket list.
Tanya and her husband Chuck are currently looking to move to Orlando so that they can spend as much time as possible at their happy place.
‘I love the magic of Disney,’ said Tanya.
It’s a feeling that embodies you and you cannot help but smile.
‘Playing dress up and having a young at heart mentality help in this aspect.
‘I will not say that it is easy, because it is not. But, focusing on doing something that I love (such as Disney, Disneybounding [a term used by cosplayers] and cosplay) helps me to remain positive.
‘Disney and fancy dress have always held a soft spot in my heart. The fact that I can combine the two is even better.
‘Seeing what I can create and who I can become through fashion and fantasy allows me escape the day-to-day struggle of living with cancer.’
As for her favourite Disney film?
It’s Tangled, because it makes her feel happy.
‘Happiness makes you stronger, it helps you heal,’ she adds.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/01/woman-given-six-months-live-survives-says-love-disney-12327777/?ITO=squid
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