love for Kerstin

Kerstin has been an amazing passionate teacher for 30 years, teaching from years 0-6 and has always gone out of her way to help out other people in their time of need. She has also gone through all the curveballs that life has thrown her and still come out smiling. My mum has inspired people through her positively, strength and determination as she embarked on her 2nd battle with cancer (the first time was Breast cancer in 2011 which entailed 9 chemotherapy sessions, 6 weeks radiation treatment and 1 year herception infusion).

Mum was first diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer which was later thought to be more serious and the terms terminal were thrown around. She was the booked straight in for a full hysterectomy and debulking of the tumour. After only 1 hour in surgery mum was stitched up and in recovery where we got the news that the tumour was entwined in everything and that there was no way to remove it. A plan was set out for more chemotherapy then another scan to assess and then more surgery. In the 8 weeks leading up to chemotherapy I saw my mum at her worst. The tumour was pressing on her nerves causing her feet to swell and leaving her in pain and immobile. Yet somehow she still managed to soldier on move house and prepare for chemotherapy. Of the four sessions my mum had before the next op she was hospitalised 3 times with infections, temperatures and viruses she picked up. This has really taken a toll on her health but yet she has never given up. On the 6 January this year mum was wheeled in to surgery yet again. This time with an amazing result they managed to remove almost all of the tumour. She was then given 6 weeks to recover and has began chemotherapy again. This time it has not just taken a toll on her physically but also emotionally And after discussing options with her doctor on March 9th she has had her final dose.

The chemotherapy was never a cure more of an extension of life in which I want my mum to be able to enjoy and make the most of hence the decision to not have the last two cycles of chemotherapy.

This is where I need your help, after being unable to work since her diagnosis on march 2 we were hit with another blow. After genetic testing and results finding mum is BRCA1 BRCA2 positive she has been informed that the chance of her getting Breast cancer for a second time is very high therefore another surgery for a full mastectomy has been proposed this will mean a further 8 weeks recovery on top of the recovery she is going through now, so I have created this page to help reduce the financial stress that mums diagnosis has placed on her and my amazing supportive stepfather who has been there every step of the way. I would love to be able to lighten the load these two are carrying so that my mum can focus on her wellbeing and enjoy each and every day as it comes with out the added financial stress.

Those of you that know my mother knows she will give everything she has to help someone else but will never ask for anything in return. So now I'm asking for help for her, your donations will be gratefully accepted and will help this beautifully positive woman move forward.

Carolyn xx