Support for Sheila in her Continued Cancer Battle

My name is Nicole Greenfield Lee, I’m writing this on behalf of my incredible, brave and selfless mum, Sheila.

 

In December of 2019, after a long series of misdiagnoses and treatments recommended by several doctors, our family’s world was turned upside down with my mum’s diagnosis of a very rare form of T1 anal cancer.

 

Immediately that Christmas Eve, she had to start with aggressive chemotherapy, though we had no idea at the time how long treatment would go on for, nor that a global pandemic was soon approaching. With all the stress that Covid-19 brought to everyone, it’s safe to say it added a huge layer of complexity and trauma to what was already a harrowing medical journey. It was heartbreaking for us to watch my mum walk into every session alone in the hospital, knowing the restrictions would prevent us from being there for her in her most challenging moments. With my mum’s immune system at an all-time low from the chemo, to which was soon added a concurrent course of harsh radiotherapy, the fear of her contracting the virus was all too real.

 

Our fears were confirmed not once, but twice. Mum contracted Covid-19 firstly through the hospital when undergoing a lung biopsy to check for cancer spread in that region, and then again almost a year later, due to exposure once again through the hospital, which was of course overflowing with those already suffering from the virus.

 

In April of 2020, tests seemed to show that Mum’s cancer had spread to her lungs, which precipitated the harsh course of radiotherapy on top of the chemotherapy I mentioned earlier. Although the radiotherapy wreaked real havoc with Mum’s body, as anyone who has had to undergo such treatment could attest, she bravely undertook all 58 sessions like a champion. In August 2020, scans and biopsies seemed to indicate that both the lungs and the original anal cancer were both now clear, and at this point we truly believed the nightmare could be over.

 

After a short period of remission and baited breath, Mum went back for her three month check-up. To the family’s great sadness, scans and a very painful fine needle biopsy indicated that the cancer was not gone, but had actually spread. It was now in the lymph nodes in the groin area, a notoriously complicated area to treat and one that can spread dangerously quickly. During the biopsy, Mum also unfortunately contracted an antibiotic-resistant pelvic infection, leaving her right leg and groin region swollen, stiff and painful.

 

By December 2020, a new suspicious mass was discovered in the same area, though the pelvic infection and the fact that Mum had also tested positive for Covid-19 at this point made for serious complications in analysing and diagnosing the mass. Because of this discovery, a further 15 infusions of chemotherapy were recommended and had to be started rapidly in January of 2021. After so much previous treatment, Mum’s body was struggling to recover enough after each chemo session to be well enough for the next. Then, after contracting a skin infection in her swollen right leg, her medical team made the decision that systemic chemo had to be discontinued that June. Further scans in July 2021 were inconclusive, and as recovery after each session was no longer possible, Mum’s team began looking into other treatment options.

 

It was at this juncture that, with advice and help from the excellent team at the Mater hospital in Dublin, it was decided that immunotherapy - a much newer type of cancer treatment that helps your own immune system fight cancer - was worth trying. With the hope that comes from having another option to try, Mum threw herself into this new treatment approach, making any and all lifestyle changes to try and make the immunotherapy as effective as possible. As well as this, to try and alleviate her still very swollen and painful right leg, Mum underwent an operation in August 2021 to insert a 14cm stent that would hopefully widen a major vein and help to drain some fluid. This at first appeared partially successful, as the swelling did reduce somewhat. However, after receiving her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination to try and secure at least some immunity against the virus that was still running rampant in Ireland, Mum’s leg became extremely swollen and painful once more. As so little is known about the effects of the vaccine in cancer patients - specifically in those undergoing this newer immunotherapy - medical professionals suggested this may have happened as an adverse effect of the vaccine.

 

Now, after eight months of immunotherapy, it has become very clear that the treatment is not working. The lymph nodes in Mum’s upper leg are hugely enlarged, extremely painful, and there is almost no drainage and fluid flow in the right leg, which is twice its normal size.

 

After investigating all possible options, and with the input and support of our medical team, we have come to the decision that seeking treatment in America is the most promising step forward. Based in the US, the Mayo Clinic medical centre offers a new and cutting-edge operation that isn’t available here in Ireland, which has the potential to offer Mum the relief she so deserves. The planned procedure would aim to remove the affected lymph nodes in the groin area whilst simultaneously attempting to reconstruct the lymphatic system, with the expertise of a specialised plastic surgeon. Going through with the operation will mean staying in America for three weeks, then hopefully flying home with a fluid drain in place. Once back, the team in Ireland would be able to help with her full recovery.

 

As such, our family is hoping to raise funding to help with the cost of the procedure, as this is Mum's best hope. Any additional money raised will go directly to cancer research.

 

Sending great love to all those who have visited this page, and who have supported our family over the last two and a half years through this journey. We won't ever be able to express our gratitude enough.

 

Nicole