Amy and Joel's Wedding

In 2016 my cousin Amy was undergoing a routine scan during her pregnancy when the hospital discovered a dark shadow behind her womb. Following further investigations and tests, it was discovered that Amy had a rare tumour only seen in older, middle aged women. Amy was only 23 at the time and this came as a great shock, but such a miracle that the pregnancy scan found it. Amy underwent pioneering surgery during the later stages of her pregnancy that had not been attempted on a pregnant mother before. The surgery was a success and Amy’s experience was documented in a medical journal. She gave birth to beautiful Isla in January 2017 and has had regular check ups since then to check that the tumour has not returned. Throughout the 5 years, Amy’s partner Joel has been there to support her mentally, physically and financially. He has been an endearing Father to little Isla and they have all been so happy together.

During Lockdown for Covid19, Joel began suffering debilitating back pains and feeling very unwell. After many trips to his GP Joel was diagnosed with Arthritis. He was unable to work full time and after Lockdown also not able to join in normal family social gatherings and events. He was often bedridden and Amy began to think that there was something more to this than Arthritis. Amy began insisting that Joel was referred for further tests in hospital and despite being ignored and told that there were delays in NHS scans and treatments due to Covid19, she persisted and finally got Joel the MRI scan that he needed. Devastatingly, Joel was diagnosed with a very rare type of Leukaemia called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). Amy, Joel and their families were in shock and disbelief that Joel had been misdiagnosed and suddenly had to focus on Joel’s treatment and recovery.

Joel has since suffered with and fought off Septicaemia which placed him in critical care, been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis due to a reaction to his gruelling chemotherapy treatment at Cambridge Addenbrooks Hospital and now he has contracted Covid19 whilst being in there. This has meant him being moved to the Covid19 Ward and his crucial Chemotherapy treatment being postponed until he is Covid19 free.

During these dark times, Amy, Isla and their families have been unable to visit Joel due to him being in isolation. Amy has been trying to carry on a happy, magical, childhood for Isla and keep herself going despite Joel feeling very low and not having much fight at certain times.

Amy has found strength by setting up an Instagram page ‘amyclairewrites’ where she has channelled her most inner feeling and personal emotions and turmoil into written words that are heartfelt and so sad, yet inspirational and strong and guiding to anyone who reads them.

Amy and Joel need something positive and concrete to focus on, to continue that drive forward despite circumstances trying to pull them off course. I know that they would love to get married and cement their love for each other and this is one thing that is keeping them going.

I would therefore like to set up this GoFundMe account for Amy, Joel and Isla who are such a beautiful, strong, dedicated family who have endured more in the last few years of their young lives, that some of us will never have to in our whole lifetime.

I want them to know that our love and best wishes can make their wish can come true so that they can have a small, private family wedding. There is no one I know that deserves this more.

In the words of amyclairewrites - ‘We won’t be living in these dark days forever. The future is full of light and love, let’s keep walking towards that’