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An Australian influencer has gone viral for her life-affirming post, which came just a week before she tragically passed away from cancer.
Natalie Fornasier, 28, had been diagnosed with stage III metastatic melanoma after having first been told she had the disease when she was 20.
According to an obituary, she passed away on January 14.
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Her diagnosis first came eight years ago after Natalie noticed a mole on her toe. After getting it checked out she was told the devastating news that it had spread.
In an update to followers back in July last year, she revealed the heartbreaking news that her cancer had become terminal, leaving her just months to live.
Since receiving the terminal diagnosis, Natalie had spent much of her life raising awareness and reminding her 35,000 followers not to let life pass them by in a heartbreaking update about her palliative care.
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Taking to Instagram, she described the period of her life as ‘brutal’ and wrote a lengthy post in which she grieved over her tragically short life.
She wrote: “The last four months have been brutal. At the end of July, I received the news that my cancer was now terminal and had months left to live. The conversations I've had to have, the plans I've had to make, the places my thoughts have gone and are still going - none of it is natural. It's painful.
“I've cried myself hoarse about the fear of death. I've screamed for the children I would never have, growing old, my friends, the life I was supposed to live,” she said, adding that ‘everything’ felt wrong.
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“I've fallen into oblivion crying for (husband) Alexander, the heartbreak, and the love I would be leaving - for the life we were supposed to have. I've cried for my family.”
Alongside an image of a beautiful bouquet she’d been given while in hospital, she reminded others to enjoy the time that they have.
"It's one minute at a time for me right now - and I'm so thankful that, that is still a possibility If my time here has taught me anything - it's that time moves like a river,” she wrote.
In the caption, she added: “You're unable to see the beginning or the end but you can feel it - so you better make the most of it.”
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The heartbreaking post would be Natalie’s final Instagram post and was uploaded on December 21. It had been her fourth week in palliative care.
The influencer continued her heartfelt post, saying she was grateful for her body, which was continuing to weaken.
She also thanked the doctors and nurses who had supported her and husband Alexander.
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Natalie’s spouse had previously been providing care for his wife after she underwent surgery in a bid to stop the cancer spreading.
A GoFundMe has now raised over AUS $110,000 for Natalie’s loved ones.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Katherine Sidnell