Miss World Australia finalist's heartbreaking cancer journey
A Miss World Australia finalist has shared the warning signs she ignored before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 27, and admitted she thought her life was over.
Tirah Ciampa, from Tasmania's north west, began experiencing unusual symptoms last year, and admitted she should've taken them more seriously instead of dismissing them as common ailments.
Writing on Facebook, she said, "It felt like I had been punched in the back."
"I was constantly laying on the floor at work and going to physio. I thought I had hurt myself at the gym or maybe just slouching at my desk."
Tirah said her heart rate would spike and she would suffer cramps randomly, prompting her to book more doctors appointments.
"I've been in and out of the doctors since November last year trying to work out what was happening," she explained.
"I had a cardiologist looking after me but it wasn't until February when I was booked in for an abdominal ultrasound and that's when I saw the huge mass."
Doctors found a 15cm x 15cm tumour inside Tirah's pancreas, which had already overtaken most of the organ.
After receiving the devastating diagnosis, Tirah thought her life was over and started getting her affairs in order.
Speaking candidly to The Sunday Tasmanian, she said, "I was writing letters to my loved ones, sorting out my superannuation, clearing out my laptop and spring cleaning."
"I wanted to make sure my funeral would be paid for, that it would be an easy mess to clean up. I was getting ready to be gone."
Since recovering from her surgery, Tirah began the gruelling process of extensive physiotherapy, and is now preparing to compete at the Miss World Australia national finals on the Gold Coast in August.
Her health scare has prompted her to raise awareness for the condition, as she has urged others not to ignore mysterious symptoms.
"Listen to your body! Especially women who put every weird feeling down to their menstrual cycle or hormones," she said.
"Your body is a temple; it's all we have to live in this beautiful world. Don't take it for granted."
Image credits: Instagram