Jade's Race for Life

On 11th April 2018, our world was turned upside down. Mum was given the devastating diagnosis of stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. She had no symptoms, apart from a swollen stomach that had only become apparent in the last week leading up to the diagnosis. Unbeknown to us, mum probably had cancer 8 months before this. It was a shock, a whirlwind of emotions. None of us knew what to say or do, it was mum that held it together for us and told us not to worry. She started her course of chemotherapy which significantly reduced the tumours in both her ovaries, so she was put on a maintainance drug. We were all so proud of her and her bravery. We thought this would be a fresh start and we could resume our normal lives, free of cancer. Soon after, a routine follow up showed mums CA125 levels shoot up. It was at this point where mum was given a choice: treatment that had a 20% success rate or a harder treatment which had a 60% success rate. Mum being the strong person she is, chose the harder option. Her new chemotherapy treatment started in the new year. Less than a week after the first one, we received another massive blow. The chemotherapy had caused mum to develop a serious heart condition, something that is a very rare side effect and something that her consultant has never seen before. It was very touch and go, but mum defied the odds. Her heart went from working at only 10% (a level at which others would go into cardiac arrest) to working at 55% just 2 weeks later. We started to get hopeful. Yet again, another massive blow. The consultant stated mum could no longer have any more treatment as it would’ve caused her heart to relapse. We were absolutely devastated and nothing could have ever prepared us for this news. Mum defied the doctors and lived longer than what they said she would. Her smile never once went from her face, and she never stopped laughing, even at the very end. I’m telling mums story as I want people to know that she is extraordinary. She never complained, never asked ‘why me’, never once let the cancer get the better of her. She danced, she sang, she kept us all smiling. Mum, I want you to know how proud we are of you. How incredibly strong and brave you are. How much of a miracle you are. How much of an inspiration you are. You are one in a million. I miss you every single second of every single day and that’ll never go away. You’re my light, my life, my world, my inspiration, my role model and my incredibly strong, beautiful mumma. I’m so proud of you. You kicked ass. I love you all the world and more. My absolute universe ❤️🌍