Key Takeaways:
- Sariah Nesbit, a 25-year-old law student and mother of two, has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer.
- After months of treatment, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy, her cancer has shrunk significantly, and she has undergone a major surgery to remove the primary tumor.
- Despite the success of the treatment, Nesbit’s doctors have warned that her cancer is likely to return within a year or two if she does not continue with further treatment.
- The recommended treatment, Nivolumab immunotherapy, is not funded in New Zealand, and Nesbit needs to raise $45,000 to complete her treatment.
- Nesbit is appealing for help to raise the funds needed to continue her treatment and ensure she can spend more time with her children.
Introduction to Sariah Nesbit’s Story
Sariah Nesbit, a 25-year-old law student and mother of two, has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer. Despite the challenges she has faced, Nesbit has shown remarkable strength and resilience in her fight against the disease. After months of treatment, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy, her scans revealed that the cancer had shrunk significantly, and she was able to undergo a major surgery to remove the primary tumor. However, Nesbit’s journey is far from over, and she now faces the challenge of raising funds to continue her treatment and ensure she can spend more time with her children.
The Treatment and Its Success
The treatment that Nesbit underwent was a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which worked better than anyone had hoped. Her scans in September revealed that the cancer had shrunk almost completely, and her medical team changed her status from inoperable to operable. The surgery to remove the primary tumor was a success, and out of 24 lymph nodes removed, the cancer remained in only one. This is a significant achievement, and Nesbit’s medical team is hopeful that she can make a full recovery. However, the fact that her cancer is rare and aggressive means that it is likely to return within a year or two if she does not continue with further treatment.
The Challenge of Funding Further Treatment
The recommended treatment to prevent the cancer from returning is Nivolumab immunotherapy, which is not funded in New Zealand. This means that Nesbit needs to raise $45,000 to complete her treatment. She has been advised that if she does not continue treatment within two months, her cancer will likely start to grow. This is a significant challenge for Nesbit, who has already had to undergo a major surgery and is still recovering. She is appealing for help to raise the funds needed to continue her treatment and ensure she can spend more time with her children. Nesbit’s mother, Marie Nesbit, has spoken out about the difficulties of watching her daughter fight for her life, saying that "no mum should have to fight this damn hard just to stay alive for her babies."
The Emotional Toll of Cancer
The emotional toll of cancer on Nesbit and her family is significant. Nesbit’s children are aware that their mother is sick and have seen her go in and out of the hospital for treatment. They are eager to know if their mother is going to the doctors or the hospital, and they are anxious to see her recover. Nesbit’s mother is also deeply affected by her daughter’s illness, saying that she would give her arm if she had to in order to save her daughter’s life. The fact that treatment exists but comes with a high price is deeply disheartening, and Nesbit’s family is appealing for help to raise the funds needed to continue her treatment.
Looking to the Future
Despite the challenges she has faced, Nesbit is determined to continue her law studies and spend more time with her children. She plans to go back to university next year to continue her studies, which she was forced to give up this year due to her illness. Nesbit’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and her determination to fight for her life and her future is an inspiration to all who know her. With the help of her community and the support of her family, Nesbit is hopeful that she can overcome the challenges she faces and build a bright future for herself and her children.