The mother of three reveals how a tiny, harmless place on her back is the first sign of aggressive stage 4 cancer.
Gemma Allen, 42, was juggling full-time work, family life and raising three children when an appointment last October resulted in nine tumors found in her brain, including the size of a golf ball.
The ordeal came a few days after spending a weekend with her best friend when her husband found a small mark on her back. They see it as a place. But then it caused a strange feeling.
“I woke up and thought, “Who is touching my arm?” “But it’s my own hand-I just can’t feel it.” She told MailOnline.
The weird dowels and kids will be upgraded soon. She struggled to open her work, her fingers tangled, trying to lift her hair, and her sister (also her colleague) urged her to get examined.
Gemma called NHS 111 weeks after she couldn’t get a GP date and was told to go straight to A&E.
At the hospital, she underwent basic examinations and was almost sent home. But at the last minute, a doctor suggested a head scan “just to rule over anything sinister.”
Gemma Allen, 42, was juggling full-time work, family life and raising three children when an appointment last October resulted in the discovery of nine tumors. Take a photo with her three sons
The ordeal came a few days after spending a weekend with her best friend when her husband found a small mark on her back. They see it as a place. But then there was a strange feeling
Within five days, the scan showed the largest tumor growing again – less than 10mm in a week – she faced immediate surgery or permanent loss of mobility
Gemma and her husband Steve on wedding day
“When they came out and said, “You might want to pause the phone, I was actually in the waiting room of the phone. ” Then they told me: “We’ve found a lump in your brain. ”Just in the waiting room.
“My whole world was immediately turned upside down and I could breathe or think for a moment. Everything stopped.
Doctors initially suspected lung cancer after discovering a lung nodule, but when they biopsy the traces on her back (where her husband first noticed) they deduced it was melanoma, a form of skin cancer that actively spreads to her brain and lungs.
They confirmed that I had nine brain tumors. The largest is 35mm – the rest are small, but they are there.
Her neurological symptoms make sense because of the tumor’s position in the right hemisphere of the brain (controlling the left side of the body).
She immediately started treatment, first with targeted tablet therapy designed for cancer mutations.
The treatment works quickly – Within a few weeks, her feelings recovered and she could type again. But success is short-lived.
In April five months later, Gemma began to experience intense headaches and visual impairment.
In April five months later, Gemma began to experience intense headaches and visual impairment. Take a photo with her son
Her friends built a GoFundMe to help create gardens for Gemma during this difficult time
During the operation, place the electrodes in her brain and place sensors on her limbs to preserve movement
Since then, her progress has been slow – her legs have recovered faster than her arms. She now walks in frames and has to be very focused on every step
Within five days, the scan showed the largest tumor growing again – 10mm in less than a week – she had immediate surgery or permanent loss of mobility.
“They told me that if they weren’t working now, I would lose my left side forever. But even surgery has risks – it is wedged between the movement and sensory parts of my brain.
Overall, doctors found eight smaller brain tumors along with brain tumors—to bring the total to nine.
During the surgery, place the electrodes in her brain and place sensors on the limbs to prevent movement.
“When I woke up, I looked at my hand and couldn’t move it. I was scared, I would be in a wheelchair all my life.
Since then, her progress has been slow – her legs have recovered faster than her arms. She now walks with a frame and has to concentrate on every step.
“I used to run around behind my kids. Now, I have to focus on walking from room to room.
Gemma was told her cancer is incurable, but it could be manageable – a new immunotherapy therapy offers hope for prolonging her life.
Statistics show that 55% of people have lived in new treatment for six years, perhaps longer. But it’s early – no one really knows.
Her friends have already established GoFundMe During this difficult time, create a garden for Gemma.
Now, as she rebuilds her power, she is determined to live in the present and raise awareness that “small places” may be even worse.
“You will never think it will be you. I don’t. I was just a busy mom, living my life, and then suddenly, I had nine brain tumors.
