Annie’s Story

At the end of July 2018 I received the worst news I think anyone could ever receive. I found that I had cancer. Two weeks before this I was completely and utterly fine. I had no symptoms what so ever. I just couldn’t believe it. After 2 weeks of finding out, I was referred to a specialist hospital. A further two weeks after I was referred, on the 24th of August, I finally got the official diagnosis. I was diagnosed with a  Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour. The type of cancer I have is so rare that less than 12-15 people a year worldwide are diagnosed with it.

The cancer had started in my stomach and had spread to my liver, spleen and peritoneum meaning that my cancer was already stage 4.  The very next day after I received my diagnosis, on the 25th August, I started my chemotherapy. I had to have 6 cycles of intense chemotherapy. I was having 5 different types of chemo to try and shrink the tumour in my stomach as it was too big to operate on. It was measuring at 23.5cm big! 

I was spending more time in hospital than at home with my family. My mum was with me the whole time in hospital and my dad came to see me every day and brought my younger brothers with him when he could. The aim of the chemo was to shrink the tumour so it could be removed.

Unfortunately on the 19th October 2018 I received the most heart breaking and devastating news. I was told that my cancer was incurable meaning that I now had terminal cancer. My heart sank and every part of my body hurt. I’m 17 years old and I didn’t understand how this could happen to me. I didn’t understand why it was me or what I had done that was so bad that I deserved this. I had so many questions that nobody could answer. I was so confused and I had no idea how I was suppose to tell anyone this. 

Before I became unwell I was an active sporty 17 year old. I loved pretty much any sport! When I was younger I did dance and netball and then found a love for karate and rugby a bit later on. I love being part of a team because when a team is strong it feels like a second family. One of my strongest teams was my Karate group. Yes some of it was individual work but everyone always cheered each other on and helped out when they could. 

In fact, my Karate class, Shoten Kyodo Martial Arts, decided they wanted to do the race for life 2019. Race For Life 2019 will take place over two days in June, over 20 members of the club including instructors, students friends and family will walk 5 kilometres alongside me. 

The following day 11 members of the club will be putting themselves through a second day of racing, with 8 instructors and students running the 10 kilometre obstacle mud run, while early that morning 3 of the clubs youngest students will put themselves through a 5 kilometre race, through mud and obstacles. 

 All of this is to Raise as much money for a charity that has helped me fulfil my bucket list, Taylor Made Dreams, who enable children with life limiting illnesses achieve their dreams. 

Any donation is hugely appreciated and will help us karate kick cancer away for good!