Guyana Graphic is appealing to our readers to help fellow Guyanese Ms. Cheryl Headley-Frank who is battling cancer. Please visit her GoFundMe page and make your contribution.
This is Cheryl's story
"This journey started in 2004 when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I completed all the recommended treatments: Chemo and Radiotherapy. Also had my ovaries taken out due to the discovery, I was carrying the Brca Gene.
All was well until the year 2013 when I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. So then came the treatments again...
Chemo and Radiotherapy.
These treatments took a toll on my body and it seemed as though I was always at the doctors or hospital.
In 2018 I started having back pain and tiredness. The doctors did not think it was anything serious but after running tests, I was diagnosed with Metastatic Cancer of the Lungs from the Cervical Cancer.
I was given three types of harsh Chemos which were quite intolerable, and was hospitalised three times and also paid many visits to the A&E. After three of the planned six sessions of Chemo, they had to reduce this to two types of chemos as my body was not coping with the treatments. The good news was that the tumor had shrunk.
I finished Chemo in June 2019, had a CT Scan and it showed that the Tumor had stayed the same size.
After another visit to A&E in September 2019, because my body still was not feeling right, a doctor recommended I have the Cancer Marker Test done. The test results showed that the marker had increased from twenty-two to seventy-seven. A CT Scan was done which discovered the tumor had grown back to the pre-treatment size.
So the recommendations again were Chemo, but even harsher this time. The complete treatment entails Surgery to remove a chunk of the Tumor. T cells would then be put into the lab for three weeks to multiply before it was reintroduced into my body. Seven days before it was reintroduced into my body, I would have seven days of chemo back to back. This would completely shut down my immune system so that the therapy can work.
I would also have to have five days of growth hormones. I know that after the last set of treatments, my body would not be able to handle the intense treatments they are offering.
Every time I think about chemo I burst into tears. I've done my research into alternative treatments and I am asking for your financial help, which will enable me to receive alternative cancer therapies in Mexico.
I am a Wife, a Mother of three and a Grandma of two and I have lots to live for. I would love to see my grandchildren Kai and Keke grow up and would also like to grow old with my husband Aubrey. Me not being here would be devastating to the entire family. They need me here, fit and well.
I cannot do this on my own so I am soliciting your financial help to beat this Stage 4 Metastatic Lung and Back Cancer!
I plan to be in Mexico by the 30th October 2019. All fees must be paid before I leave so I am asking for your prompt generosity. My treatment would commence the following day for three weeks.
May God Bless all of you and please Share with Family and Friends. Ask them to share too."