Tessa James is facing the biggest battle of her life after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but the actress is determined to keep living life on her own terms.
The 23 year-old Australian star braved the waves on Sunday for a paddle boarding session, uploading a photo of herself manoeuvering across the water on an oversized board.
The pair married in 2012, with Tessa moving Stateside to pursue her acting career after wedding to her NRL player and Gold Coast Titans co-captain partner, Nate Miles.
The popular TV personality revealed she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, earlier this year, and returned to Australia for treatment.
Since then she has been living life to the fullest, enjoying beachside breaks with Nate as well as spending time with her mother Charis and sister Candy.
Her latest post shows she is determined not to let her diagnosis interfere with her enjoyment of life,
 Smiling and laughing, she battles the elements as she tries to stay upright on the board.
The former Home and Away actress is no stranger to beachside glam thanks to her stint in Summer Bay, but wearing a bright printed bikini and wielding a paddle, the Melbourne-born star proved her real-life surf skills are just as impressive.
Nate and Tessa have just returned from a trip in Byron Bay where they spent some time together to come to terms with Tessa’s diagnosis.
The actress flew back to her Gold Coast home from LA last month, where she has been pursuing her career, to be with the ones she loves.
The TV favourite has been flooded with good wishes and support from fans and friends since announcing her diagnosis.
She recently posted images of herself enjoying girl’s night out with her close friends – Gold Coast Titans WAGs Greg Bird’s girlfriend Becky Rochow; Beau Falloon’s other half Elise Abood and Tessa’s other mate Sarah Dines.
Channel 7 also took to social media last month to show their former employee she was in their thoughts.
‘Tessa is a much valued and loved member of the Home and Away family. She has a wonderful approach to life,’ a Seven spokeswoman said at the time.
‘She has always been health conscious and is full of spirit. She will tackle the next six months with great determination and we wish her all the best for a speedy recovery and send all our love.’
In a statement, representatives for the performer said she will be undergoing chemotherapy over the next few months to combat the illness.
She thanked her supporters with a post on Instsagram in September, writing, ‘Thank you for all your love, support and prayers during this time. It has simply been overwhelming. I can’t thank you enough. All my love.’
