Life saving surgery for mum of two young children
Donation protected
It was early 2017 and I was 28 weeks pregnant with my second child. All was going well, so I thought. After a day of niggling abdominal pain in work I contacted my gynaecologist who suggested I go to the maternity hospital to be checked. Following a scan I was rushed to surgery and awoke to be told we had a baby girl who was in the neonatal ICU, that I had advanced cancer (metastatic colo-rectal cancer that had spread to my liver, deemed inoperable) and that I had most of my colon removed.
The following hours, days and weeks are a blur. I was put on strong chemotherapy once my wounds healed and baby Lily stayed in the neonatal unit for 3 months. So our life was spent mostly at the hospital those early months of Lilys life. My son Luke was 3 at the time and my wonderful parents stepped in to help and try make life as normal for Luke as possible.
The past 2 years have been difficult, frequent medical appointments for both Lily and I, weekly chemotherapy for me. Days of sickness and dark moments when I felt I wasnt able to be the mom I want to be for my children. I want to be well again, living life to the full, as we did before I got sick. My husband and I are both marine biologists, love the sea, nature and travel. I dream of getting my health back again and sharing the good things in life with my beloved family and friends.
There is new treatment available for me in Holland, that is not available in Ireland. It would mean an end to weekly chemotherapy and may open the possibility of surgery to remove the tumours in my liver in the future. It may ultimately save my life.
The treatment is imminent (Summer 2019) and I am now appealing to those with big hearts to contribute to our fund to help cover the medical costs of the treatment in Holland.
The following hours, days and weeks are a blur. I was put on strong chemotherapy once my wounds healed and baby Lily stayed in the neonatal unit for 3 months. So our life was spent mostly at the hospital those early months of Lilys life. My son Luke was 3 at the time and my wonderful parents stepped in to help and try make life as normal for Luke as possible.
The past 2 years have been difficult, frequent medical appointments for both Lily and I, weekly chemotherapy for me. Days of sickness and dark moments when I felt I wasnt able to be the mom I want to be for my children. I want to be well again, living life to the full, as we did before I got sick. My husband and I are both marine biologists, love the sea, nature and travel. I dream of getting my health back again and sharing the good things in life with my beloved family and friends.
There is new treatment available for me in Holland, that is not available in Ireland. It would mean an end to weekly chemotherapy and may open the possibility of surgery to remove the tumours in my liver in the future. It may ultimately save my life.
The treatment is imminent (Summer 2019) and I am now appealing to those with big hearts to contribute to our fund to help cover the medical costs of the treatment in Holland.
Organizer
Michelle Cronin
Organizer
