A woman is determined to tick of all the things on her bucket list after being told that her liver cancer is now untreatable.
Jeanette Gethin-grba suffered from breast cancer in 2017, and had a mastectomy of her left breast. In 2020 she also started having pain in her side, and in October this year she was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer.
When attending an appointment on Friday, December 16, the 50-year-old has now been told that nothing more can be done, and is on a pill which comes with its own risks. After getting the hard hitting news, she has become intent on completing everything she has ever wanted to do, and living life to the fullest.
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Jeanette, from Mountain Ash, who used to be the deputy manager at a betting office, has come up with a bucket list of things she wants to complete now that she has received her diagnosis. And her friends have got on board with the aim or raising as much money as possible for her so that she can tick everything off.
The online fundraiser has now gathered £1,200, which will help her to complete some of what is on her list thanks to the help of her friend Rachel Curry.
Jeanette listed the things she really wanted to do, saying: "I really want to go away on a cottage holiday, and I've always wanted to do a hot air balloon. I also want to do the zipwire in Aberdare and the zipwire in Snowdon.
"But I also want to do the toboggans on Snowdon as well. My main goal was to go to New York but I know that's out of the question now. It's the symptoms, and knowing that I might not be here that is stopping me from going to New York, but a cottage holiday would be really lovely."
Part of why Jeanette is so keen to do as much as possible is because she feels like she has lost a crucial amount of time.
"When I first started getting more worrying symptoms suggesting the cancer had spread such as the pain in my left shoulder, I requested a scan which was declined at the time.
“For me now, I’m 50 and I do feel like I’ve been robbed. Initially I was on chemo, but I struggled with it so much that I couldn’t complete it, and they’ve now said that chemo won’t work this time. I said- what about anything else?
"And they said, I don’t think you realise how advanced the cancer is. What my advice would be to anyone to keep going back to their doctor if they are worried about symptoms, because it really wasn’t detected until it was too late for me.”
Discussing her feelings at this difficult time, Jeanette noted that it was especially hard for her because members of her family have been through a similar ordeal. She said: "My mother had breast cancer back in 2006 and when she finished the tablet she was put on she passed away a later with pancreatic cancer.
"In the last five years, we've lost a family member every year. My cousin is terminally ill at the moment, and my auntie just got diagnosed as well.
"All I want people to know is that if they ever feel something isn't right, never back down. Do not back down."
Jeanette’s friend, Rachel who set up the fundraising campaign was “devastated” when she was told the news that her friend was so seriously ill. Rachel attended the hospital appointment with Jeanatte on Friday, December 16 and decided she wanted to do whatever she could to help her make the most of the time she has left.
The pair met in 2019, as they lived on the same street and have become a key part of each other's lives, going on frequent walks so they can spend time together. Rachel is behind the fundraising campaign to help Jeanette do everything she wants to do.
Rachel said: “I was with her when she got the news and to be honest I was devastated. She’s petrified, and sends me messages explaining how scared she is- it’s a horrible thing to go through.
“She’s a beautiful person inside and out, doesn’t deserve this- she’s just turned 50 and will do anything to help anybody. She gives to numerous cancer charities but now it’s time to give back.
“Let’s help her tick things off her bucket list and enjoy her precious time she has left… let’s make her dreams come alive.”
Jeanette's close friend Nicola Welch has also got on board with the plan to raise as much money for her as possible, and has organised a charity night which will take place on Friday, January 20 at the Thorn Hotel in Mountain Ash from 6pm. Tickets cost £10 each and will also pay for entertainment on the night.
You can also donate to the online fundraiser here: 'Let's help Jeanette get her bucket list done'
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