Support Alex in her battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Hi, my name is Alex, and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 33.

I received the devastating news in July 2024. What I thought was a back injury turned out to be cancer that had spread to my spine. After being turned away from A&E with a prescription for diazepam, my GP eventually ordered an x-ray. The results were concerning. A scan at the Royal Marsden showed further spread of the disease and revealed a shattered T5 vertebrae which meant there was a real and imminent risk of paralysis. I was rushed to St George’s Hospital for emergency surgery to stabilise my spine and remove the tumour - a surgery that very likely saved my ability to walk. I thank God every day it was found in time.

Oddly enough, St George’s was also the place I nearly died in my early twenties during a Myasthenic crisis. Coming back there, more than a decade later, felt like a full-circle moment. There was something strangely healing about it. As I lay in that hospital bed, I had plenty of time to reflect on what truly matters. My faith deepened, and moments of synchronicity unfolded around me. I felt held by unseen hands. I was sad, yes, but not scared. In a single moment my priorities had realigned and I chose to see the situation through the lens of love.

I missed my son, Thomas, with an ache I can't describe. We had summer plans - trips I’d promised him. A holiday to Crete with my then boyfriend (who still went without us...) Camping in Scotland. But cancer had other ideas.

I felt a lot of guilt about my actions in the years since my primary diagnosis in 2021. I had been so focused on “fixing” my body with various healing protocols, that I had often lost the ability to be present and simply enjoy 'being'. This stole a lot of joy in the time I spent with Thomas - I was usually physically present, but mentally and emotionally I was not there. I see now that a lot of that striving came from fear. Fear of cancer returning. Fear of death and dying. Fear of not being enough. Fear of leaving him alone in the world.

I silently vowed to myself that this would change and he would become my number one priority from now on.

But those years weren’t wasted time - yes I was distracted and often lived in my head, but I used them to:

~ heal deep trauma through therapy, meditation, faith and holistic practices

~ create a safe, cosy home for Thomas and me after leaving my abusive marriage

~ self-represent in court to secure a child arrangements order, so that if the worst should happen to me, he will be protected, loved, and safe in the UK

During that time, and still now, God placed many angels in human form along my path—friends, family, and often total strangers who showed up exactly the right time to hold and support me, their kindness like a guiding light in the dark. And I’m determined to pay that love forward in any way I can, to provide that light for others in their dark times too. I think that’s so much of what life is all about.

I don’t know how much time I have left, (the irony being none of us ever really do!) but what I do know is this:

~ I see it as my duty to live the best life I possibly can with this incredible opportunity to be alive on this planet at this time.

~ I’m going to make as many magical memories with Thomas and show him how incredibly beautiful life can be when you surrender to divine will.

~ I’m going to inspire and help others cultivate a zest for life and love that I only found when someone told me my time here may be cut short.

Thomas is my tether to the earth. He is my reason for being. He is my light in the dark. And he deserves the world in a world that has given him such a challenging start to his life - for what is written here is only a small part of the story.

Why We Need Your Help <3

For quite a while I thought I was going to have to fight the DWP at tribunal (again) to reinstate PIP because they threw me off shortly after the Stage 4 diagnosis following a telephone assessment. Thankfully this has been resolved after 6 months of stress and uncertainty.

However, my ability to generate income has still been greatly affected by the demanding nature of living with a chronic illness and being a solo parent. Thomas's Dad takes every opportunity to use his minimal child support contributions to coerce and control. And sadly, my relationship of 3 years just recently ended (and about which Thomas is completely devastated) so it's back to just us two again.

I’m now asking for help to:

~ Raise the funds to travel with Thomas through the UK and Europe to make incredible memories together

~ Access holistic treatments and therapies not available through the NHS

~ Reduce financial stress so I can take a sabbatical from work to focus on travel, home ed, health and healing

Any contribution—big or small—would mean the absolute world to us.

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What Comes Next – Follow Our Journey

With my health a little more stable this year and there being no imminent risk of paralysis, I’ve decided to take a leap of faith and travel the UK and Europe as much as I can with Thomas. I'll have to always be back each month for appointments and scans, but I feel like it's now or never.

I've asked work for a sabbatical. I've told the school he won't be coming back in September. It is terrifying and exciting in equal measures!

We’re chasing sunshine, soul-healing, and sacred moments together and I’d love to share the journey with you and the things we have learned on the way.

Follow our story on

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.gerrard1

TikTok - mindmedicineandmiracles

Instagram @awakenandheal333

I’ll be sharing:

~ Our adventures

~ The ups and downs of life with Stage 4 cancer

~ Moments of joy, faith, and laughter with Thomas

~ Spiritual insights and sacred places we travel to

~ My work in dismantling fear around cancer and reframing it as an initiation, not a death sentence

~ Collaborations with my soul family members as we create soul-led resources for those facing illness, trauma, or spiritual awakening

I also dream to one day host healing retreats for women—one day soon, if I’m still here!

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️Final Thoughts

If my story inspires even one person to stop waiting and start living, then I’ll know I’ve done something meaningful.

If you take one thing away from this story, let it be this:

Don’t wait until you're told you are dying to start living!

Life is weird and hard and beautiful, all at once, so squeeze joy out of every moment. Slow down. Laugh often. Forgive quickly.

And please—tell the people you love just how much they mean to you.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring.

If you can help us, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can’t donate, please share this with others or say a prayer for us.

With love and gratitude,

Alex xo