A young mum fighting one of the rarest forms of cancer has been left heartbroken after finding out she had just months left to live.
Gemma Mcgowan, 29, is one of just three people in the world to be diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the nasal cavity.
Following her tragic diagnosis in May last year, the Paisley woman has been bravely fighting the disease - even undergoing gruelling chemotherapy while pregnant with her son, Arran.
But, despite months of treatments, including radiotherapy, immunotherapy and life-changing surgery in which surgeons had to remove her eye - Gemma and her heartbroken family have been told nothing more can be done.
Gemma is now using the time she has left to make as many memories as she can with six-month-old Arran and partner of nine years, Steven Murie.
The couple had hoped to marry in 2023, but now want to get married as soon as possible.
Gemma’s family are determined to make as many special memories they can, and have raised almost £3,000 to help support her, Steven and Arran.
Speaking to the Paisley Daily Express, Gemma’s mum Lorraine Mcgowan said her daughter has been fighting with “unbelievable strength and bravery”.
She explained: “It has been so hard to watch her go through what she has.
“I don’t know how she has coped, but she has been so strong through it all.
“I can’t even imagine, from finding out you are pregnant to then being told you have cancer and then going through the treatments and the surgery, to then be told it was all in vain.
“We are all absolutely devastated, but we are trying to make sure we make as many special memories as we can with what time she has left.
“We want her to create as many memories as possible with Arran.
“He is her first baby and her and Steven were looking forward to getting married once she was doing better.
“But now they can’t wait that long.
“We are hoping to get something organised so she can still get her wish.”
It was just one month after telling her family she was pregnant that Gemma began experiencing issues with her eye watering.
After visiting the optician, Gemma was told it was likely a blocked tear duct, and was referred to the ophthalmologist.
After her first appointment was cancelled at the start of the pandemic in March, she was eventually seen and was diagnosed her with a blocked tear duct.
However, Gemma’s condition continued to get worse in the following weeks, with the swelling getting so bad her eye had moved completely to one side.
It was then that doctors ordered scans of her eye and sadly discovered the tumour.
The brave mum then gave birth to Arran at just 32 weeks, as doctors told her it was too dangerous to carry out surgery while she was pregnant.
The premature tot spent weeks in the special care baby unit, but Gemma and Steven were overjoyed that he was healthy.
Lorraine added: “She was given chemotherapy once they found the tumour. She was pregnant at the time.
“By the time it came to do surgery, they weren’t able to remove the full tumour and it was too dangerous for them to do it while she was pregnant.
“In between that time, her cancer began to mutate and become more aggressive and, unfortunately, the chemotherapy wasn’t working.
“After Arran was delivered, they did the surgery as soon as possible, but they couldn’t save her eye.
“The cancer had started in her nasal cavity and was developing, so she was given a round of radiotherapy.
“It was so tough to watch her go through that, especially having just had Arran.
“But, sadly, it wasn’t enough.”
Gemma was told just last week that her treatments are no longer working and that her cancer is terminal.
The loving family, who live in Hunterhill, have been left overwhelmed at the support from their family, friends and the community, including Gemma’s colleagues at Vets for Pets in the town’s Glasgow Road.
Former veterinary care assistant Gemma is now spending as much time as she can with Steven and Arran, as well as her doting parents Lorraine and William and her two younger sisters Leeanne and
Lauren.
Lorraine added: “We are so grateful for all the support we have received from everyone. It has meant a lot to us all.
“Gemma is so thankful to all the staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the ENT department, along with all the staff at the Beatson for all their support.
“They have all been fantastic.”
Lorraine is taking part in a month-long fundraiser to raise money for cancer research - which she says is now “more important than ever” following Gemma’s devastating diagnosis.
The loving mum and gran began the month-long 10,000 steps a day challenge a few weeks ago, before Gemma was told her cancer could not be cured.
Now Lorraine says she is even more determined to finish her Walk All Over Cancer challenge and raise as much money as possible to help get closer to finding the cure for cancer.
She has already collected more than £3,000.
Can you help?
To donate to the Go Fund Me, visit https://gofund.me/cf62f63c
To donate to Lorraine’s fundraiser, go to www.facebook.com/donate/933823064108130
