As many of you are following my personal journey on instagram @jemhow you will already know my story.
in January 2021, the day I gave birth to our third baby, I was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer which had spread to my lungs, pelvic and pubic bones and lots of lymph nodes on chest and pelvic area.
I was gave a short prognosis of 3-15 months. I begin double chemotherapy 2 weeks later with a new born baby, a one year old and a four year old along with my loving supportive husband keeping my heart warm.
After only three rounds I was so poorly, so many serious allergic reactions and the cancer progressing aggressively I was sent home with no further treatment options and told to get my affairs in order. I will never forget the words, it’s reasonable to expect one year. Very soon after this my family and friends decided to get another opinion for me, they began amazing fundraising and had me on my way to an alternative treatment centre in Mexico on the 1st June 21.
I responded amazing to the alternative treatments and was doing very well until a follow up scan showed progression on my pubic bones. My doctors here then sent me for 20 rounds of high dose Radiotherapy. This was to reduce pain, not to cure or reduce cancer. Although the side effects from this are life long and brutal, it actually did reduce some of the pain.
I then started with care oncology London and began an alternative treatment plan with them and went through various testing. They encouraged me to find. Doctor who would try a different chemotherapy drug with me. Many months went by and I finally got approved to try a new chemotherapy by my doctors here in Northern Ireland on the NHS.
I have been on this chemotherapy weekly since end June 2022. The latest scan showed the cancer has progressed in regards to growing aggressively however there is no new sites of disease. Which is positive in its own way.
Every day since 1st June 2021 I have not missed my Mexico hope4cancer protocol nor my care oncology London protocol since I began it.
It is a miracle itself that I am still alive and doing “so well”.
I have all of my wonderful family, friends and followers to thank for that. You have all gave me the gift of time. Time, more time, is all I ever asked for.
People ask me almost daily why I am still working, why did I open this boutique, why am I still trying so hard? The reason is I am still me, I am still a wife a mummy and I am still me regardless of my diagnosis or prognosis.
I am almost 2 years diagnosed “terminal”
I am doing a very intense alternative protocol with Mexico and London and it costs a lot of money. The fundraising money already has got me this far and gave me this much longer by purchasing all the machines,equipment and medication this far. But it won’t last forever and I want to be able to fund my life to live longer as well as make memories with my children - as many days away and trips as I physically and financially can make happen for them together as a family.
so, no matter what you purchase from me, £3 or £300, please know you are helping this mummy prolong her life and every supplement, and medication I take is thanks to the fundraising and support you all show my small business.
love always,
jemma xxx
