In 2006, Tamron Little was a typical 21-year-old, focused on finishing school and planning her future. Cancer was not part of that plan. Her world shifted when she became pregnant, and a routine four-month ultrasound revealed more than just the sex of her baby—it showed a fibroid tumor. Though initially told it was common, the tumor persisted after her healthy son was born in January 2007, continuing to grow despite medication.
A Devastating Diagnosis and a Search for Answers
Four months postpartum, doctors recommended surgical removal. Waking from that surgery, Tamron received a life-altering diagnosis: peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The prognosis was devastating. "The hospital called in grief counselors," she recalls. Her doctor told her she likely had only 18 months to live.
Online research offered little hope. The disease primarily affected older men with industrial or military backgrounds; Tamron, a young mother, represented less than 5% of cases. Her initial oncologist had no treatment plan, focusing instead on palliative care. Feeling dismissed, Tamron reached a breaking point. "I got up and told him, ‘If you can’t help me, I’ll find the help I need.’"
The Fight for a Lifesaving Treatment
A pivotal moment came through a prayer list at her mother's job. A co-worker mentioned a specialist who treated her exact condition. Remarkably, this doctor was in her own city—a fact her first oncologist had never uncovered. He was one of only two doctors in Canada at the time performing a specific, aggressive surgery called HIPEC (cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
The procedure involved removing all visible tumors and bathing her abdomen in heated chemotherapy. The risks were severe, including potential kidney disease and infertility. "I didn’t care," Tamron states. "If it could get rid of the cancer... I was ready to do it." The grueling 12-hour surgery in 2007 marked the start of an arduous year-long recovery.
Defying Statistics and Embracing a New Purpose
The results were extraordinary. Follow-up scans showed no evidence of disease. She not only reached the 18-month mark but blew past it. In a stunning turn, she later became pregnant with her second son, despite being told she likely couldn't have more children. She went on to have two more children, with each passing year cementing her status as a "miracle patient." Now, 18 years post-surgery, her eldest son—the baby she feared she wouldn't see grow up—is heading to college.
Her journey taught her critical lessons in patient advocacy. "Doctors know a lot, but they don’t have all the answers," she says. She learned to push for tests, seek multiple opinions, and trust her instincts. "‘Probably’ isn’t enough when it’s your life on the line. You are your best advocate."
Today, Tamron channels her experience into helping others. She is an author, speaker, and works with The Mesothelioma Center to advocate for patients. She uses her platform to spread a message of persistence and hope. "Cancer changed my life, but it didn’t end it," she says. "I’m living proof that statistics don’t always get the final say."
