My Aunty...

If you knew my Aunty, you would know that she is a person who does not like to ask for help, but unfortunately, life has dealt her a difficult journey, and I (along with my sisters) am asking for help on her behalf.

She had been feeling unwell for some time and had known something was wrong, but after numerous tests and procedures nothing was found. Six months later, in February 2020, she presented to the local Emergency Department with a suspected kidney stone, and during a general CT scan, she was told she had much bigger problems than just a kidney stone. She was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer that had metastasised throughout her uterus and all up the right side around her organs.

Even though the diagnosis was dire, my Aunty always remained positive. She was sure she was going to get well again and make a full recovery. She endured three months of chemotherapy and had a full hysterectomy, which was then followed by a further three months of chemotherapy. During this time, she always remained positive and did a lot of alternative therapies, including Reiki. She finally got her cancer markers down to single figures from the initial high of 1070. (With ovarian cancer, the CA125 markers are supposed to be 35 or below).

It looked like she had beaten the odds and was finally in remission, however unfortunately last year while having a hernia operation, the biopsy found microscopic cancer cells, and since then things have gotten worse with her cancer markers continuing to climb. Because the cancer has reoccurred in such a short time, (less than 5 years since the initial diagnosis), the likelihood of a second chance of remission are slim.

It is because of this she is now trying new alternative therapies, as well as yet another round of chemotherapy, to try and help heal her body. She always says “my body created this cancer and my body will heal itself”. She often talks about how the cancer was a gift as it made her realise how loved she really is. The support she has received and continues to receive from her family has filled her heart with so much joy.

My Aunty is only 55 years old, and is truly one of the most giving and beautiful souls. She is an integral part of our family, which is why we would like to start a fundraiser to try and assist her with the upcoming expenses of this treatment. She currently travels 4 hours each way to chemotherapy, and the alternative treatment that is due to start next week is 10 hours away from where she lives. She believes that working with this integrated naturopath that has an oncology background, and a very high success rate with treatment, will give her the best opportunity to fight this cancer, again.

I know life is tough for a lot of people at the moment, particularly financially, but any donation would be greatly appreciated. Any funds raised will be used for travel, the treatment itself and accommodation, all of which is quite expensive. All she hopes for is to get better as her goal is to help other cancer patients navigate their way through their own cancer journey and to know that there is always hope out there.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.. xx

Lydia Hope