Little fighter battles back to school
The first day of school is always emotional for parents of first-time students, but the first day of the 2015 school year marked a very special occasion for Bobbie Jo and Anthony Ytting.
After more than 15 months of treatment for stage four neuroblastoma, seven-year-old Montana Ytting went off to Port Hedland Primary School with her five-year-old brother Lachlan in tow.
Anthony said Montana was determined not to miss the first day of school.
"We thought we should give her a week's break when she got home, but one of the first things she did was try her old school uniform on," he said.
By her daughter's side for rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and surgery, Bobbie Jo was overjoyed her "hero" was out of hospital and back at home with a good prognosis from doctors.
The first day of school marked a transition Lachlan was thrilled about - the family was finally back together at home in Port Hedland.
"It's about getting back to normal life, washing and cooking," Bobbie Jo said.
Montana, who is in remission, said she was excited to cook sausage rolls.
The family said they were grateful for the support of the Hedland community and businesses throughout Montana's treatment.
"Montana wants to say thank you to Port Hedland, thank you everyone for your support," Anthony said.
"We want to thank all the people of Port Hedland and all the local businesses that supported us through this."
Bobbie Jo said there were so many people and businesses to thank, it was hard to keep track.
"The support for Montana and our family was incredible," she said.
Montana was five years old when doctors at the Princess Margaret Hospital dropped a cancer diagnosis bombshell on the family.
In the months leading up to the 2013 diagnosis, doctors diagnosed Montana's sore hip as a variety of things, including growing pains.
The treatment that would follow was gut-wrenching for Bobbie Jo and Anthony.
Both said it was incredibly hard knowing in order to save their daughter they had to "poison her".
They had a strict policy that no one should be upset in front of their little fighter.
"Her lowest weight during the whole thing was 17.9kg and that was pretty scary, it was like hugging bones," Bobbie Jo said.
Bobbie Jo originally set up a Facebook page Miracle for Montana to allow family and friends to keep track of Montana's process while she was in Perth.
But Montana's story touched thousands of people, not just in the Pilbara but across the globe.
With more than 2200 followers, Bobbie Jo's posts provided unique insight into the challenges a child has to overcome in the fight against cancer.
