Jess' cancer journey and Compassion in Dying

On the 2nd February 2024 I was diagnosed with high-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. A cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The specifics of this cancer are rare and it has caused a 14cm mass in my chest with subsequent blood clots around my torso area. My cancer ward have only seen four cases of this type in the last year.

I had my first session of chemotherapy last Thursday so I expect my hair to start falling out pretty soon. I've decided to shave my head so I'm ahead of this before it happens and I'd like to raise some money in aid of the big head shave.

In the words of Fleabag

So I'm pretty devastated for what's about to happen. I have also always felt very lucky to have hair that I love. But I will learn to love my new hair when it eventually grows back, however it does.

The money I'm raising will go towards two things that are important to me and every donation will be halved equally :).

Firstly, I'd like to put some money towards a wig for myself. It will help my cancer journey so much to have a wig that I love and that I feel confident in. Secondly, I would like to donate some money to a charity I care very much about, Compassion in Dying.

Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I had been unwell for a while and I knew something wasn't right. It took three GPs, a physio, 111, pharmacy staff, urgent care, and eventually an A&E doctor to take me seriously. I had to advocate constantly for my own care (and still do). As I work for Compassion in Dying, I had the skills and knowledge to be able to do this and the support of our specialist nurse. The NHS is wonderful and they're currently saving my life, but it took a lot of speaking out on my part to get to where I am now, and I still have a long road ahead of me to recovery. I'd like to give money to Compassion in Dying so they can continue to support people, and give them the expert knowledge, skills and confidence to fight for their right care and treatment.

Any donation you can give, however big or small, will be so appreciated by my soon-to-be cold head and towards the amazing work Compassion in Dying do. Any money raised in excess of a wig will go towards other parts of my treatment, like transport to the hospital.

Thanks so much for reading <3

P.S. I will not be filming or taking photos of the shave as that’s a bit much for me currently. I may decide to post photos at a later date but I’m not promising anything. Thanks for understanding xx