Help Jacinta's recovery, stage 4a stomach cancer
Donation protected
Hello, my name Is Jacinta and I'm going to tell you a bit about myself and my cancer journey so far.I will also tell you why I've set up this gofundme and what it will be used for.
Okay, so as I said, my name is Jacinta, I'm 40 years old and I live in a small area outside Virginia, co.Cavan.
In October 2022 I tested positive for covid 19, after a friend informed me she had it.
I had no symptoms but isolated myself because my mother has advanced COPD and is high risk, being on oxygen 24/7.
On day 2/3, not sure which, I wasn't feeling well, my stomach was upset.
Around mid afternoon I began to vomit, it scared me because it was completely black but I was after having a glass of coke, so presumed it was that.
It wasn't, it was blood and I realised that when I suddenly needed to go to the toilet and as I sat down, black blood gushed out of me, I remember feeling so scared and then blackness, I passed out...as I came round I was confused and didn't know what was happening.
I rang my Dad, who came down to my mobile straight away and as I walked out to speak to him, I started vomiting blood again.
He asked was I ok, did I need an ambulance and I replied, no ill be okay, but he insisted that I needed to be seen.
After a while negotiating with me, I agreed on the ambulance.
Ambulance arrived and I apologised to them for having to come out, not knowing how serious it really was.
I was assessed and brought to a covid ward, suspected bleeding stomach ulcer.
No tests carried out because I had tested positive for covid 19.
Spent over a week in hospital on pain medication and stuff to stop the bleeding.
Came home feeling great, awaiting an appointment for a scope and scan on my neck because I had enlarged lymph nodes.
In November 2022 I had my scope and after it the Doctor spoke to me and said they'd taken biopsies from 3 areas in my stomach.
Still thinking it was a stomach ulcer and a hernia I presumed it would just mean I'd need to change my diet and let it heal.
I was told to cut out spicy food, (don't eat spicy food anyway), cut out alcohol, (I didn't drink at the time or for a long time before hand) eat more fruits and vegetables and milky foods.
I instantly started eating only healthy foods and drinks, waiting for my scope results.
My appointment was sent out for the 1st of December 2022.
My sister drove me to the hospital and I went in by myself expecting a short chat about diet ect to heal my stomach.
I was called into the Dr's room, it was just him and myself so I thought nothing of it.
He began to speak about my scope and the biopsies taken, he then said I'm sorry but it's cancer.....I was dumbfounded...didn't know what to say..he then said, you need to have bloods taken and told me where to go, handed me a form and sent me on my way.
I was obviously in shock, went for bloods, the nurse greeted me and asked how are you today? I replied, not great, I've just been told I have stomach cancer...she asked was there anyone with me and I said my sister is outside in the car.
She took my bloods, talking to me the whole time, trying to reassure me.
As I came out, I was met by another nurse who apologised for not being in the room with me when the Dr spoke to me.
I left then and went out to my sister who I'd text because I was in shock. She was in shock too..
I then went home and had to tell my parents, they were so worried and upset, that was the worst bit, telling them and the rest of my family..
Then the appointments started coming in the post, appointments in Dublin and Cavan, sometimes maybe 3 in the one week, oncology appointments, ct scans, mri's, appointments with the gastric team, discussing treatments and planning for surgery.
I started chemotherapy, 4 rounds of FLOT and although I had some horrible side effects I got through it and even went to lanzarote for 4 days before the 4th round.
I paid for my flights and accommodation but my parents kindly gave me the spending money.
I was sick going but soldiered on and after the first day I was feeling well enough to go out on mobility scooter and see the island.
It was a great incentive to carry on with the treatment.
Came home feeling refreshed and completed the last round before surgery.
Surgery for total gastrectomy was arranged for April 2023 and I spent a week in a high dependency ward, getting physio to walk again and on a feeding tube, I still have the feeding tube now.
I was meant to go to a care home for respite after discharge but when I got there, I couldn't stay, it just wasn't for me, so I came home.
It was tough but I was happier being home, close to my Mam.
I was given a few weeks to get my strength back and try put some weight on, eating very small amounts and often and using the feeding tube over night, this was stressful, can't lie down flat, need to be in upright position to stop the feed going into my lungs. So I wasn't sleeping very much at night but was constantly napping during the day.
Eventually I was given a date for chemotherapy to start again and at the end of May I went back for the first round following the removal of my stomach.
I got up on the Monday morning to get ready, waited for the cancer society driver to pick me up and began the journey to the hospital.
I was nervous going this time.
Got there, was given the pre-meds and chemotherapy started. We had to stop a couple of times because I was feeling nauseous on and off but I got through the treatment and went home.
That evening I started to get sick, I took my anti sickness medication but didn't help at all, I was just vomiting constantly.
After a couple of days like that I wasn't able for anymore, my sister was advised by oncology to ring an ambulance, so she did.
The ambulance came along with another advanced paramedic who had a defibrillator incase my heart stopped.
I was worried when I heard this but too sick to say or do anything.
Got to the hospital and was given anti sickness injections repeatedly to no avail.
I continued to get sick.
Palliative care team were called in and obviously I panicked hearing that, I asked the nurse if I was dying and she said not if I have anything to do with it. She held my hand and reassured me it would be okay.
She made up a pump of medications to calm me down and settle the pain and sickness and this actually worked.
After a week I was discharged but my weight was down even more and I was very weak and tired. My potassium levels were dangerously low too, so I was drinking it 3 times a day.
I slowly started eating again and getting stronger by the day.
Fast forward to Tuesday 13th June, appointment with oncology and Palliative care.
We talked about getting back to chemotherapy in another couple of weeks, lowering the dose and making sure I don't get so sick again and I'm agreeable with that.
Then I seen palliative care, lovely man, great knowledge and understanding of my situation and very kind and actually listens to me.
He took me off some medications, stomach tablets and no stomach for example.
I then asked a question I've been asking from day one but was never given an answer.
I asked what stage my cancer was, he couldn't say because my file was sent back to another room, but he said to knock on the door and ask the nurse if she was still there.
I knocked and she answered, I then asked her the same question and she opened my file and showed me and said it was Stage 4a!! I almost hit the floor in absolute shock and all I could say was, "that's why no-one would tell me".
I could see my sister was shocked too.
I didn't know what to think and instantly I was annoyed that I wasn't told. What if I had wanted to get my affairs in order incase of the worst.
I came home and sat quietly thinking about it and came to the conclusion that it was best I hadn't been told because I might not have been as positive as I had been or I might have made bad decisions about my treatment, so I'm kind of glad I wasn't told but still slightly annoyed at the same time.
I'm going to continue on as I am, trying to stay positive and hopefully getting better as time goes on.
I have 3 more rounds of FLOT chemotherapy to go. Thyroid biopsy now postponed until July and waiting for appointments in the breast unit.
After hearing that my cancer was stage 4a I did a lot of thinking about a lot of things. One being, doing this. I never thought I'd be doing something like this, not in a million years but here I am asking for help.
I live in a mobile home in my parents garden and before I was sick I had been saving to do some repairs.
That money wasn't long going, on phone credit, appointments in Dublin every week, special foods and drinks and every day things. My weight has been dropping so even clothes that fit are a problem from one week to the next.
The repair list was growing and my savings were gone, so I ignored it and now it'd cost more to fix than it's worth so I decided to set up this gofundme to try trade in and upgrade the mobile before winter.
Something with oil heating so I'm not up keeping fires lit throughout the night.
I have some other things I'd like to do, recently bought a greenhouse and I'd like to try growing my own fruit and vegetables, something I've wanted to do for some time.
I would like to treat my little nieces and nephews to a day out, the zoo or something like that, picnic in the phoenix park like we used to do when we were kids.
Because I don't know what the future will bring I'd like to have a little something put away incase of the worst, I intend to be here for a long time yet, but you just don't know what's round the corner.
Not having to worry about money would be a huge weight off and I know I'm certainly not the only one who worries but I truly would appreciate any help.
If you can't donate or just don't want to that's more than understandable, I don't want to pressure anyone but I would appreciate if you could share this for me and I will post regular updates on my journey.
You can also see my videos on tiktok and Instagram, I've been making update videos for a while now.
Links below.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, I appreciate every, like, share and donation.
Organiser
Jacinta Farrelly
Organiser
County Cavan