My name is Ross, and I never imagined that I would be writing something like this.
Just two months ago, I was a fit and healthy 43-year-old, living my life and looking forward to the future. I had no idea that everything I knew was about to change so suddenly.
After finding a lump on my neck and experiencing stomach pain, I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. By the time it was discovered, the cancer had already spread from my bowel to my liver, lymph nodes, lung and spleen.
The news completely changed my world.
I went into hospital for a stoma operation, expecting to be home within a few days so I could recover and prepare to start chemotherapy. Instead, things became much more serious.
Because of the size of the tumour in my bowel, my liver had been placed under enormous strain. My bilirubin and liver function became dangerously abnormal, and I was told that chemotherapy was no longer possible.
I was even told that I should consider end-of-life care.
Those are words I never expected to hear at 43 years old.
But I wasn't ready to give up.
Thanks to my incredible strength, the amazing surgical team looking after me, and two further major procedures, my bilirubin levels began to fall. When my bilirubin dropped from 290 to 130, my oncology team told me that there might be a possibility of trying chemotherapy at 60% of the normal dose.
There was a huge risk. I was honestly warned that the chemotherapy itself could potentially kill me.
But I chose to fight.
I started chemotherapy, not knowing exactly what the future would hold, but knowing that I wanted to give myself every possible chance.
I made it through my first round.
My bilirubin continued to fall, and my determination to keep fighting never changed.
Since my diagnosis, I have been through four procedures, two blood infections, sepsis and four incredibly difficult weeks in hospital. Despite everything, I started my second round of chemotherapy with my bilirubin levels almost back within the normal range.
And somehow, through all of this, I am still smiling.
Further genetic testing then revealed that my cancer carries a mutation called BRAF V600E. This mutation can cause bowel cancer to behave particularly aggressively.
At first, hearing this was another devastating blow.
But this discovery also opened the door to another treatment option.
A clinical trial called BREAKWATER studied the use of two targeted cancer medicines, encorafenib and cetuximab, alongside chemotherapy for people with my specific type of cancer. The results have given my doctors and my family genuine hope that combining these medicines with chemotherapy could significantly improve the way my cancer responds to treatment.
There are no guarantees. I know that.
But for the first time since I was diagnosed, I feel like there is a possibility of something beyond simply being told that my cancer is terminal.
My hope is that this combination of treatments can shrink my tumours enough to allow further treatment, and potentially surgery, to become possible.
I know I cannot change what has happened to me.
But I want to keep fighting for every extra day, every extra month and every possible chance at a future with the people I love.
Unfortunately, this additional treatment is currently only available to me privately, and it could cost up to £9,000 every month.
That is an amount that my family and I simply cannot manage on our own.
So I am asking for your help.
Your donation could help me access treatment that may give me a stronger chance of fighting this cancer and creating possibilities that I currently don't have.
Whether you can donate £5, £10, £50 or more, every contribution will mean more to me and my loved ones than I can possibly put into words.
And if you are unable to donate, please consider sharing my story. You never know who might see it, and one share could help this reach someone who is able to help.
I am only 43.
I am not ready to say goodbye.
I want more time.
More memories.
More laughter.
More life with the people I love.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for believing in me, for sharing my journey and for helping me fight for the future I desperately want.
With all my love and gratitude,
Ross
Just two months ago, I was a fit and healthy 43-year-old, living my life and looking forward to the future. I had no idea that everything I knew was about to change so suddenly.
After finding a lump on my neck and experiencing stomach pain, I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. By the time it was discovered, the cancer had already spread from my bowel to my liver, lymph nodes, lung and spleen.
The news completely changed my world.
I went into hospital for a stoma operation, expecting to be home within a few days so I could recover and prepare to start chemotherapy. Instead, things became much more serious.
Because of the size of the tumour in my bowel, my liver had been placed under enormous strain. My bilirubin and liver function became dangerously abnormal, and I was told that chemotherapy was no longer possible.
I was even told that I should consider end-of-life care.
Those are words I never expected to hear at 43 years old.
But I wasn't ready to give up.
Thanks to my incredible strength, the amazing surgical team looking after me, and two further major procedures, my bilirubin levels began to fall. When my bilirubin dropped from 290 to 130, my oncology team told me that there might be a possibility of trying chemotherapy at 60% of the normal dose.
There was a huge risk. I was honestly warned that the chemotherapy itself could potentially kill me.
But I chose to fight.
I started chemotherapy, not knowing exactly what the future would hold, but knowing that I wanted to give myself every possible chance.
I made it through my first round.
My bilirubin continued to fall, and my determination to keep fighting never changed.
Since my diagnosis, I have been through four procedures, two blood infections, sepsis and four incredibly difficult weeks in hospital. Despite everything, I started my second round of chemotherapy with my bilirubin levels almost back within the normal range.
And somehow, through all of this, I am still smiling.
Further genetic testing then revealed that my cancer carries a mutation called BRAF V600E. This mutation can cause bowel cancer to behave particularly aggressively.
At first, hearing this was another devastating blow.
But this discovery also opened the door to another treatment option.
A clinical trial called BREAKWATER studied the use of two targeted cancer medicines, encorafenib and cetuximab, alongside chemotherapy for people with my specific type of cancer. The results have given my doctors and my family genuine hope that combining these medicines with chemotherapy could significantly improve the way my cancer responds to treatment.
There are no guarantees. I know that.
But for the first time since I was diagnosed, I feel like there is a possibility of something beyond simply being told that my cancer is terminal.
My hope is that this combination of treatments can shrink my tumours enough to allow further treatment, and potentially surgery, to become possible.
I know I cannot change what has happened to me.
But I want to keep fighting for every extra day, every extra month and every possible chance at a future with the people I love.
Unfortunately, this additional treatment is currently only available to me privately, and it could cost up to £9,000 every month.
That is an amount that my family and I simply cannot manage on our own.
So I am asking for your help.
Your donation could help me access treatment that may give me a stronger chance of fighting this cancer and creating possibilities that I currently don't have.
Whether you can donate £5, £10, £50 or more, every contribution will mean more to me and my loved ones than I can possibly put into words.
And if you are unable to donate, please consider sharing my story. You never know who might see it, and one share could help this reach someone who is able to help.
I am only 43.
I am not ready to say goodbye.
I want more time.
More memories.
More laughter.
More life with the people I love.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for believing in me, for sharing my journey and for helping me fight for the future I desperately want.
With all my love and gratitude,
Ross
