Chemotherapy is possibly one of the worst things anybody can endure, having to go through chemo for a second time is a whole other level. My incredible Mum (April Claire McGilligan) is getting ready to start her fourth set of chemotherapy since she was originally diagnosed in 2007. Throughout the next six months she will be put through 18 rounds of chemo and is destined to lose her hair. I am hoping to be able to help combat the mental side of her chemo by raising enough money for my mum to be able to purchase a made-to-order wig.

Many of you reading this may already have an idea of her journey so far and the fight that has been ongoing since 2007, but just how hard she has had to fight and well she has done so far may not be entirely clear. This year marks the 12th year since diagnosis so I wanted to highlight the fight she has endured so far.

My mums story :

In May 2007 at the age of 38 my mum was diagnosed with INVASIVE LOBULAR CARCINOMA. After a double mastectomy she was told that she had just 6 months left to live. The surgeons removed 5 tumors that were in her left breast but the cancer had already spread to 8 lymph nodes. She was blasted with 6 months of intravenous chemo and this was the first time my mum had to endure losing her hair. Through everything she had already been through this was the first time we saw her break down.

Immediately after finishing up with the chemo she went through 3 weeks of radiotherapy. This was administered every single day during the hour lunch break my mum received whilst continuing to carry on as a primary school teacher. The 6 month mark came out of nowhere and she continued to fight on every day.

Over the next 3 years she had 10 more surgeries for full reconstruction of her chest, involving infections and complications along the way. But things started to look up and she was placed on tamoxifen for next 5 years. (8 years since her first prognosis!!)

In 2013 a diagnosis came back of 5 tumors in her liver. She had previously been to the doctors multiple times but was diagnosed with ‘fatty liver’. Unfortunately this was the second time she had been misdiagnosed. She was given 18 months to live and received chemotherapy through tablet form for another 6 months as well as radiotherapy to her ovaries to shut them down and stop the production of estrogen - the original cause of her cancer. If only they had done this first..

Another diagnosis, another round of bad news. More tumors had been found in her ribs and spine resulting in monthly denosumab injections.

The cancer finally was declared as ‘stable’.

In February 2018 our worlds all came crashing down around us. My brother (her son) passed away unexpectedly at 25 years old.

Shortly after, more tumors were found in her liver as well as chest wall, lungs and esophagus. This was then the third round of chemotherapy my mum has had to endure. This seemed to work in most areas clearing majority of the tumors except from the ones in her liver.

Which brings us to now. May 2019 and my mum has been diagnosed with 2 more liver tumors, now a total of 11. Surgery is no longer an option. My mum is facing 18 sessions of chemotherapy over the next 6 months. This is her 4th time on chemo and the second time she will completely loose her hair.

To my mum, her hair is one of the main things that makes her feel like a woman. To her having no hair is an extra reminder every time she looks in the mirror that she has cancer. It crushes her confidence as it would most. Loosing her hair for a second time to her is even harder than the first. So hard in fact that she has chosen to wear the cold cap during her treatments. This is said to help reduce hair loss but many patients cant keep up with the side effects of extreme migraines.

There is not much i can immediately do from 4700 miles away but i will do everything in my power to keep her spirits up and keep her fighting. My mother has had to retire on medical grounds many years ago and to her, as to most people, the cost of this wig is a lot of money.

A made to order wig will cost around £700 or a hair loss system (similar to a weave), which is suitable a few months after she finishes her treatment, is £850. We are hoping to raise enough to allow her the option of which she wants.

Any donation will be appreciated more than you could imagine and especially appreciated by my mum and please share this page to help us raise all we can.

Thank you.