One last fight!!

My Aunt Gemay van Jaarsveld, residing in South - Africa, was diagnosed with breast cancer (Her2 positive 3+) in January 2020. She went for the necessary surgery and reconstruction to remove cancer. Six weeks after the surgery, she started with Chemo, radiation, and a chemo block over 13 months.

She underwent a pet scan in February 2021, and primary (secondary) lung cancer was already discovered at stage 3D. Her left lung was urgently removed to stop cancer from spreading to the rest of her body and the right lung. She was in ICU for 3 weeks, and 4 weeks after the surgery, she again had to start with weekly chemo. She had to do 18 more weekly chemo sessions that were more aggressive (Platinum). Apart from all, she still had to do a weekly blood test and regular CT and Muga scans.

In August, we as a family were informed that the cancer was back and now in her right lung (only the lung) – we need to start all over again for the 3rd time … it’s such an emotional experience for all of us.

It's difficult for her and the grandchildren because she used to play with them and pick them up and can’t do that anymore – the children thought if Ouma's hair grew back, she would be healthy and OK – they don’t always understand which makes it difficult for all of us not only for her.

Once again, as a family are on an emotional roller coaster. The Oncologist, Dr Naicker suggested a chemo tablet for life (her last option) and sent the necessary motivation to the medical aid. We waited 3 weeks and only received feedback on the 21st of September 2022 that the cost of the tablet is R64 000 per month and that the medical aid will only pay 50%. We would have to pay the additional R32 000 upfront per month for her to start on the tablet Xalkori 250mg twice daily as soon as possible. This tablet is perfect and dries cancer from the inside out – so we would like to try this to ensure that she still has some time with us.

Any help will be greatly appreciated to help her fight her ONE LAST FIGHT!!!!!