Cancer shock woman fighting back after op
Joanfrances diagnosed after DIY injury
A Hamilton woman who was diagnosed with aggressive cancer after a scan for an unrelated DIY injury has now undergone a vital operation – and is continuing to raise funds for a specialist treatment.
Joanfrances Boyle had robotic surgery two weeks ago to remove her womb, after a tumour was discovered back in October while she was treated in hospital for a slipped disc.
She is now recovering at home but is determined to be able to attend a holistic fair taking place at the Function Rooms in the town on Saturday, raising funds for additional dendritic cell therapy as she battles a gene mutation which could cause cancer cells to grow and spread more rapidly.
The Advertiser told last month how Joanfrances, 65, received the shock cancer diagnosis after having hurt her back – with an MRI showing a slow-growing cancer in the uterus, while doctors also found that she has a mutation of the P53 gene which could cause any growth to accelerate.
She has now undergone a hysterectomy which successfully removed the entire tumour, but has had reactions to post-operative drugs, and is hoping that the dendritic cell therapy can help to eradicate any remaining cancer stem cells in her body and assist her immune system.
Hillhouse resident Joanfrances told the Advertiser: “The report after surgery came back showing that the cancer had been cleanly removed which was really good news, and I’m waiting to hear what the doctors will say about having radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
“There’s still the complication of the P53 gene, which could cause any cancer cells to grow faster; I had no idea about it and even my nurse has asked to stay in contact to follow the progress. I’m pleased to have raised awareness about it – and I think there should be more screening for women, particularly those post-menopause. There’s no test for the cancer I had, and I didn’t know or realise that some spot bleeding was the only symptom I was going to get.” She had ended up at hospital for an MRI after experiencing extreme back pain due to a slipped disc after carrying out work at home, adding: “When the doctor came to speak to me and was talking about a mass in the womb, I thought she was talking to the wrong person.”
Joanfrances is now aiming to raise funds for the £45,000 dendritic cell therapy at a private clinic in Birmingham to support her recovery – and says she is “very humbled” by the efforts of those organising this Saturday’s charity event to boost her total.
The hypnotherapist and spiritualist said: “People are volunteering their time and gifts and I feel very humble and emotional that they’re doing this and giving this support.
“I’m so grateful to friends, students, and members of the holistic community who are coming together to organise this fair on my behalf, and I’m determined to be well enough to make it a great day for everyone who comes.”
The holistic fair will include a threehour sound healing workshop, two psychic and mediumship floor shows – plus reiki, shiatsu, tarot readings, stalls and refreshments.
Friend and event organiser Kay Mcwilliams said: “Joanfrances has had so many people from Hamilton contacting her and it’s awakened the community – all the awareness we can raise really counts.
“She was lucky because she had no symptoms but the tumour was picked up on a scan she needed because of the DIY injury; people need to know that they can’t waste time and must not delay seeing a doctor if they have symptoms. She’s still in the race against time, and having raised thousands for local causes and cancer charities herself, is now relying on support from the community to help fund aftercare therapies.”
The holistic fair takes place at the Function Rooms on Keith Street from 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday with proceeds going towards the dendritic cell therapy fund, for which £4000 has so far been raised through an online crowdfunding page at www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ Healingjoanfrances
There is no test for the cancer I had, I didn’t know or realise