Tonight, we heard Tessa’s story for the first time.
When Tessa James was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she was only 23 years old.
An aspiring Australian actress hoping to break into the Hollywood scene, James says she was a girl “without a story” cruising through life without the characteristic hardships by which many young actors define themselves.
“My life’s really great,” she said at the time. “I don’t have a story.”
Now, Tessa James has a story – not one she ever would have chosen, but one she’s faced with courage and humility all the same.
Tonight, Tessa spoke to Sunday Night about her struggles with her diagnosis and treatment. These are the five most moving revelations from that emotional interview.
1. Tessa and her father were diagnosed with similar cancers at around the same time.
Tessa had only been in L.A. for a few weeks when she started feeling unwell. She knew she wasn’t herself. Then she noticed a large lump on her neck above her collarbone.
Her parents recognised the implications almost immediately. They are, after all, experts in the field, with Tessa’s dad also fighting a potentially fatal cancer at the time.
Tessa told her parents not to be overdramatic, but agreed to return to the Gold Coast for tests.
In a devastating turn, a biopsy confirmed their worst fears – Tessa was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a similar disease to the non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with which her father was suffering.
It was something she never thought would happen to her.
Tessa has shared her story on social media. (Post continues after gallery)
Tessa James on Instagram.
2. Tessa’s husband Nate Miles described her as tougher than a footballer.
Husband Nate Miles was with Tessa every step of the way throughout her treatment.
“I don’t wish it on anyone, but we are stronger because of what has happened,” Nate says.
When asked what he thinks about his wife’s courage and strength, the respect in his voice is clear.
“Football players are very tough humans – but I think she might take the cake,” he said with pride.
3. Tessa spoke about what it’s really like to have chemotherapy, and the depression that followed.
“She goes in as Tessa, but she doesn’t go out Tessa.”
That’s how Nate describes Tessa’s experience with chemotherapy, a gruelling treatment that left Tessa feeling “indescribable.”
“You can’t describe the feeling because it’s beyond feeling sick or nauseous,” she says of the feeling after chemo.
Chemotherapy was, Tessa says, a positive experience overall, but occasionally the depression would creep in.
“It was weird. Most of the time, I would go in there and it was a really fun environment, but a couple of times, something just came over me and I just felt sick. I felt really, really unwell. I was frightened,” she says.
“I had a panic attack and I remember calling my dad and saying, ‘I want to die. I don’t want to do this. I’m not strong enough, this isn’t worth it. There’s got to be another way.'”
Her dad’s advice?
“You need to treat the chemo as your friend. It’s there to make you better.”
4. Tessa’s bravery in the face of losing her hair.
After more than six rounds of chemo, Tessa discovered she had to lose her hair – her last tie to the glamorous Hollywood identity she was cultivating before her diagnosis.
“She was amazing, she just took it on,” Nate says of Tessa’s reaction to the news.
Tessa, however, admits, “It scared the shit out of me. It made it real, even more so that what it already was. This isn’t going to be as quick-fix as I thought.”
5. The confirmation that Tessa is now cancer-free.
“I’m fine. I’m totally fine. I’m done and dusted,” she says of her cancer status.
While Tessa’s dad still has one more treatment to go, he says everything has been “so far, so good,” and the family hopes that his chemo will have the same success it has had for Tessa.
“Now Dad and I have a little club,” Tessa jokes. “It’s brought us closer. It’s brought everybody closer.”
6. Nate and Tessa revealed they would like to have children one day.
“It made us as a whole really understand a lot more where we want to be,” Nate says of the experience.
When asked if that includes children, Nate answered, “Of course.”
“If it’s meant to be, it will be,” Tessa says of having kids, although she acknowledges that might not be a simple proposition.
“I have huge dreams. Probably too big. Just to work, a working actress, would be amazing.”
7. The cast of Home and Away sent Tessa messages of love and support.
Tessa teared up when confronted by messages of support from her Home and Away coworkers.
Most notably, Chris Hemsworth called her a “huge inspiration” with “far too much talent to go unnoticed.”
“There’s plenty of success coming your way soon,” Hemsworth assured an emotional Tessa.
After all she’s been through, we can only hope he’s right.
For more pictures of Tessa and her journey, click through the gallery below.
Tessa James on Instagram.
Did you watch Tessa on Sunday Night tonight?
Read more about Tessa and her journey:
Tessa James on the devastating choice between cancer treatment or having children.
Tessa James’ partner has made a touching tribute for her birthday.
Top Comments
I had to re-read these comments posted because I couldn't believe people could be so callous! Yes there are people all over the world suffering from cancer everyday, however this isnt an excuse to belittle Tessa just because she is a celebrity. She is an extremely brave young lady who overcame a horrible time in her life and has come out the other end positive and smiling, regardless of who she is that is an amazing feat. Is this what the world has come to that we are bullying cancer survivors now?!?
Who cares? It was a curable cancer and she had the necessary treatment for it.
Oh,That's right-she's so "brave".
Why is there a need to tell the world about it?
Oh, that's right- because she is so tough.
Every time I read a magazine or the news,its all I read about- all these heroic cancer survivors.
What about the ones that didn't make it? The teenagers and the young children being told they have terminal cancer,yet still smiling? How about we spare a thought for them- THEY ARE BRAVE AND TRULY AN INSPIRATION!!
I guess you may not know of any of these young children and teenagers who suffered and fought,yet still were smiing- I DO!
But all I am is a callous bitch, who bullies cancer survivors!!
Call me what you want.
In order to be offended, I would first have to value your opinion, ....which I don't!.
This is a conversation, and I am entitled to my opinion.
I dont believe the reason she went on 60 minutes is to take anything away from these young children and teenagers who are suffering, it isnt a competition of who knows more cancer survivors but since you seem to be trying to prove something, I currently know 6 women suffering from cancer, yet I hold nothing against a beautiful young woman telling her story. Regardless of age, gender or status, fighting cancer is something that should be celebrated.
It was a curable cancer! So what?
Anyone would think that she cured herself from a Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme- a very aggressive and lethal brain cancer!
Moved or annoyed?
How was it annoying?
Annoyed!
Just how she is made to look a "hero" and she is so tough and brave for going through chemo......"tougher than a footballer".
When you have cancer you do what you have to do. Some are luckier than others. I don't know why his has to be sensationalized.
Thousands of people are battling cancer and going through chemo as we speak and they don't get all of this attention.
Just looking for sympathy and attention seeking is all I can see. I don't know why it had to be the story of the night for "Sunday Night".
Not moving at all. Sorry to rain on her parade.
if it was you or I who had been through chemo for cancer, we would not be on "Sunday Night".
Just attention seeking is all I can see.
I disagree. Ordinary people who have battled extraordinary illnesses are commonly featured on these types of programs.