Hi, my name is Karla an early in August 2023, Sam (my husband) and I, after trying for a long period, found out we were pregnant. However, this amazing news didn't last long as during our first scan we were told that our pregnancy was most likely a Molar Pregnancy. Molar Pregnancy is one of a group of rare conditions known as Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) in which there is an abnormal overgrowth of all or part of the placenta. The placental cells (call trophoblasts) do not grow as they should, and form a mass of abnormal cells in the uterus (womb). There are two type of molar pregnancies: complete and partial.

Finding out we were pregnant

Unfortunately, a complete molar pregnancy (like mine) cannot develop into a baby and in September, I had surgery to remove the molar tissue from the womb and finish the unviable pregnancy. We were told, if developed, I would have been 10 weeks and 5 days. Our loss brought so much pain physically and emotionally and unfortunately, that was only the beginning of what has been a life-changing event.

Diagnosis of Molar Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss

After surgery you often have follow-up appointments and tests for eight weeks to keep a very close eye on the levels of the pregnancy hormone called hCG in your blood and urine. This is done in a specialist centre given that GTD is a very rare disease (about 1 in 1000 pregnancies). During follow-up, in a small number of women the hCG levels in the blood stay high or go back up after surgery which indicates that abnormal cells are still present. A persistent growth is called invasive mole (chorioadenoma destruens) or Persistent Trophoblastic Disease (PTD). Growth can be either benign or malign. If malign the abnormal cells can spread to other tissues in the surrounding area and the rest of the body. A malignant or cancerous GTD is more commonly called Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN) and unfortunately in November 2023, after several tests, I was diagnosed with GTN. Treatment usually consists on cycles of chemotherapy every two weeks. I started my first cycle on December 1st, 2023 and will continue until my hCG result gets back to normal and remains like that for 6 weeks. On average, treatment lasts between 4-6 months.

Outside of hospital prior to full diagnosis

Diagnosis of GTN

Hospital Stay and beginning of chemotherapy

Completion of first cycle of chemotherapy

GTN has changed my life and our family in many different ways. We are working every day to cope with all what has happened these past months and has strengthened our wonderful marriage even more. We are learning how to live with this disease day-by-day, however we have started to be impacted financially for which we are asking for support to get through this difficult time. Although my treatment has been provided for free (through the UK's NHS/National Health Service at the Sheffield Trophoblastic Disease Centre/Weston Park Hospital, and which I'm very grateful to as the team has provided superb care). Unfortunately, I am not entitled to claim benefits as a cancer patient since we are not citizens and we have working visas. No one tells you about the different associated costs that involves undergoing treatment and all the changes and adjustments that need to happen in your daily life and which has started to add additional pressure into our already difficult lives. Therefore, we are kindly asking for your support to help us cover additional costs associated to living with this disease for the next months.

Care information package provided during chemotherapy

In addition to this, I have been granted permission by my medical team to travel to my homecountry, Mexico, to visit my parents as long as I am able to receive my chemo while there. My parents' age and their health condition won't allow them to travel long distances to visit me during this time, however prior to discovering our pregnancy and my diagnosis, I had already booked my trip for Xmas. With the help of a friend, I have found a hospital and medical team in Mexico City which has accepted to provide chemo while visiting so part of the funds will also be used for me to pay for a one week cycle of chemotherapy while in Mexico. I really hope I can travel since been away from family during this difficult time has been extremely challenging to my mental health and nothing would make me happier than been able to hug my parents and my sister. There is a chance my body won't be able to make the trip even if I want it to, if that's the case then we will use some of the funds to be able to pay to reschedule my flight and travel once my body gets stronger after treatment.

Finally, 10% of what is raised will be donated to a local charity in Nottingham who helps bereaved families through pregnancy loss and which has been wonderful to us and to many families affected by similar situations.

Thank you so much for all your support, both emotionally and financially, during this difficult time.

Karla and Sam