Christmas for the Bennett family has always been a joyful occasion, but this year central Queensland mum Jodee is dreading the holiday.
Seven months ago her son Angus was diagnosed with leukaemia, with the 18-year-old having gone through several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy since.
The family is split in two while he undergoes treatment — the children's father having left their home in Gracemere to care for Angus in Brisbane.
"It kills you; it's numbing," Ms Bennett said, reflecting on the time apart.
"It's emotional for all of us."
It is unclear when Angus can return to the family home so amid a cost-of-living crisis the Bennetts are scraping together enough money to at least be in one place for the Christmas period.
Experience not uncommon
According to the National Rural Health Alliance, the family's experience was not uncommon for rural and regional families with loved ones requiring health care in capital cities.
"It really places a considerable emotional and social cost on the family and the community," chief executive officer Susanne Tegen said.
"It places a lot of extra stress. The accommodation, the travel and the fuel — everything is more expensive."
Ms Tegen said grassroots solutions were needed to provide some of the care available in cities at a local level.
A frightening diagnosis
On doctor's orders, Ms Bennett took her son for testing in Rockhampton when he noticed blood in his urine.
"Driving to the hospital, I knew that this was going to change our lives forever," Ms Bennett said.
"They sent the bloods to Brisbane and the doctor came back and said my son had leukaemia.
"He rolled over and said, 'Mum, I don't want to die. I'm 18 years old.'
"How do you respond to that? It just scared me so much.
"I just want to erase that day from my memory forever."
Angus went into remission during the past two weeks and Ms Bennett said she was inspired by her son's strength.
"He laughs all the time … he's always smiling. I just think, 'Why can't I be that strong?'.
"The first couple of weeks were hell, but he's obviously just got up and thought, 'Nah, it's not going to beat me. I'm 18, Mum. I've got to get home'.
"Him and his dad are working on a boat and all he wants to do is get that bloody boat in the water."
Ms Bennett said despite the Leukaemia Foundation providing a unit in Brisbane, the family was under extreme financial pressure to run two households at once.
An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family of eight be together for Christmas.
