A SCOTS mum is in a desperate race against time to raise £30k for the chance to have a vital life-saving cancer op.
Gemma Flannigan, who is mum to Celtic Youth player Calvin Keenan, 18, is fighting for her life after medics in Scotland told her they were unable to operate to save her.
Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter
Thank you!
Gemma Flannigan is raising money for a chance of a life-saving operation by specialist cancer doctors in London
Gemma, 44, was diagnosed with ovarian tubular cancer last year after months of excruciating pain
The 44-year-old was diagnosed with ovarian tubular cancer back in October and on March 31 she went for a 10-hour operation to remove the tumours from her pelvis and abdomen.
But the beauty therapist was left distraught when she woke up just a few hours later to be told that the tumours had spread and the surgery was too complex for doctors at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary to operate on.
Medics told heartbroken Gemma and partner Ross, 45, that there was nothing else they could do and sent the devastated couple home, telling them she had just “months, possibly years left”.
But the determined couple, who are from Irvine in Ayrshire, spent days researching her condition in the hopes of finding a second opinion.
Most read in The Scottish Sun
‘FOBBED OFF’
My son struggled to breathe – 7 doctors blamed tonsillitis but it was cancer
MUM’S FIGHT
I won’t see my kids leave school -foot tendonitis was actually incurable cancer
Eventually they found there is an option of a private care facility and specialists in London who may be able to carry out the complex op – but at a cost of a minimum of £30,000.
Gemma, who is also stepmum to Erin, 20, Oliver, 17 and 12-year-old Clover, said: “I’m basically fighting for my life.
Despite the devastating diagnosis Gemma’s strength and resilience has touched everyone in her home town of Irvine, Ayrshire who rallied to raise £25k in just one day Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Gemma has gone through five gruelling rounds of chemo Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
“The feeling I had when I woke up after I was supposed to have the operation was indescribable. It was worse than when I was first diagnosed. It felt so hopeless.
“You’re being told ‘that’s it, there’s nothing we can do’, by the only people you believed can save you.
Most read in The Scottish Sun
“It feels so unfair. I want to live.”
After setting up a GoFundMe Gemma has raised more than £25,000 in one day and hopes to tip the target with more generous donations.
She said: “I’ve been absolutely blown away. People have been so generous and all the incredible comments and well wishes have had me in tears. I feel so grateful and it’s lovely to know so many people are behind me.”
Gemma first began experiencing pain in her ribs and stomach last year which doctors initially put down to symptoms or perimenopause.
She said: “It literally caused me excruciating pain to laugh or cough or sneeze. I was just in agony. My stomach was huge, I looked like I’d swallowed two bowling balls. I knew there was something very wrong.
Gemma and partner Ross are determined to do everything they can to give her a chance at life Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Gemma pictured before her crushing diagnosis Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
“Eventually after a lot of pushing for answers and a lot of back and forth, they told me I had ovarian tubular cancer. It was absolutely devastating.”
Since the crushing diagnosis Gemma has undergone five rounds of gruelling chemotherapy, has lost her hair and has had to give up her beauty business.
The brave mum says even after enduring all of this she is fighting on.
She added: “My oncologist at the Beatson has been wonderful.
“She is working with the specialists in London and they are hopeful that with treatment down there they will be able to prolong my life.
“I have so much life left to live, so many people to care for, so many memories to make and so much more to give, especially as a mum.
“I’m not ready to stop this fight for my life.”