Cancer mum starts treatment

Mrs Elsmore had to give birth on December 2, nine weeks before term. Photo / Facebook

A Kiwi couple who married after a grim cancer diagnosis have arrived in Australia for treatment, while friends care for their newborn son.

Gisborne couple Charlie and Shawn Elsmore married in the Auckland City Hospital chapel late last month - just two weeks after Charlie, 38, found out she had late-stage metastatic melanoma at 30 weeks of pregnancy. The aggressive cancer has spread to her organs.

Mrs Elsmore had to give birth on December 2, nine weeks before term, to prevent the spread of cancer to her baby Ryder and allow her to fly to Australia for immediate treatment after a small tumour was found on her brain.

Baby Ryder. Photo / Facebook

Last week, tests revealed that there were small traces of the melanoma on the placenta, which meant there was a risk that Ryder - who is still in neonatal intensive care - may have absorbed the cancer.

However, Ryder was cleared two days later and the couple are now focussing on Mrs Elsmore's treatment at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

"Shawn and I have been told that Ryder is going from strength to strength and will be with us again in no time," Mrs Elsmore posted on a Facebook page set up to keep friends and family up to date with their journey.

The wedding service for Shawn Elsmore and Charlie Nicholson was held in the Auckland City Hospital chapel where Charlie was being cared for. Photo / Michael Craig

Mrs Elsmore began the early stages of treatment this week, and the couple are settling in for a long stay in the city.

Friends and family were with Ryder in hospital, as he was unable to travel yet.

"Due to that we have begun to look for a little flat so we can be ready for when bub arrives and Shawn is starting to look around for work.

Shawn and Charlie Elsmore know they face tough times as they battle her spreading cancer, but they made sure their wedding was a time of joy. Photo / Michael Craig

"Of course we miss our little Wainui beach pad and the life we had created there, however we strive forward to create a new life here together with our little Dangermouse."

Mr Elsmore said it was a hard decision whether he stayed with his newborn son or accompanied his sick wife to Australia for her treatment.

The couple also thanked her friends and the public who are following her journey, with close to $25,000 raised for the family on Givealitte.