Most of you will know me already but if you don’t, Hi. I’m Hannah, I’m 41, and in December I got diagnosed with stage 4 thymic carcinoma. This would be tough to process for anyone, but since I’ve spent the last decade or more, focused on healing, fitness, eating right, nature, yoga, and wellness, this diagnosis has been the biggest shock of my life. It’s a super rare type of cancer, which is largely asymptomatic until very late stages and a prognosis which honestly doesn’t bear thinking about.
The tumour fills most of my left lung and creates excess fluid which fills my chest. I had to get an indwelling tube which empties the fluid and allows me to breathe.
Because of this it's no longer safe for me to swim, which is heartbreaking as being under water is one of the biggest passions in my life.
You can find out more about the diagnosis, here: thymic carcinoma
I can’t yet bring myself to face the standard treatment; heavy chemo, if that shrinks it enough, then I could become a possible candidate for a risky extensive thoracic surgery which would remove the whole lung, lining, and thymus, followed by radiation. This treatment has a low success rate. If I qualify for all steps and they’re completely successful, it’s about an overall 30% chance, but they aren’t sure, because it's so rare. I’m told I would still then be lucky to live until my 50th birthday, with recurrence highly likely. I’m not ruling out any treatment pathway but these odds to me don’t sound good enough for such a gruelling, painful and low probability of success. Before going ahead I need to explore any other option which is what I’m fundraising for.
There's a healing centre in Mexico which offers a raft of non-toxic treatments which support the immune system, some of which aren’t available in the UK.
You can find out more about the clinic, here: hope4cancerclinic
They offer a year of support, in clinic treatment for several weeks, with follow up visits and remote support included. The cost is around £37000, which I’m sad to say, I can’t cover. It honestly feels so vulnerable to be in a situation where I have to ask, but your help to pay for this would be a lifeline.
I’m not set on only doing holistic treatment, I love my life and I’m ready to do whatever works, I’m just determined to get better and I want to use every tool I can to heal. If I have to do chemo etc. I will, but in that case, I want to begin with the strongest immune system I can. Once I commence standard treatment it's unlikely I’ll be fit enough to travel, so I want to act on this now, to maximise my chances. If you can’t donate, please share. Your help and care is more appreciated than I can express.
I’m determined to heal, no matter how unlikely I’m told that may be. It feels very uncomfortable and out of character to ask for help in this way but if this is the start of becoming a new person - someone who doesn’t have cancer, then it’s worth the discomfort of transforming.
Thank you all for your help. It means everything to me.
Hannah