“You have terminal cancer and have 3-6 months to live without treatment or 6-12 months if you have chemo.” When Karyn heard these words on 20th April 2023 from her oncologist in Hervey Bay, Karyn was 54 years old and completely devastated – she was too young to die – she had too much to live for – she was determined not to give in to this death sentence. She was not going to let cancer win.
Karyn’s story is one of faith, hope, and love accompanied with immense determination and incredible tenacity. Her journey is inspirational and motivating. We humbly ask for your support to help Karyn Gordon continue her fight against Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Stage 4) by assisting with costs to create a safe home environment and to assist with ongoing treatments against this terrible terminal disease.
Diagnosis
The day after hearing of her terminal diagnosis Karyn started her personal war on cancer with chemotherapy – paclitaxel. Karyn experienced all the usual side effects including losing her hair, stomach issues, neuropathy, loss of taste, mouth ulcers, chemo rash, fatigue, joint pain, eye degeneration, nail issues and low immunity but remained positive and started to support other cancer fighters. In May 2023, Karyn also started pembrolizumab immunotherapy, and after only four treatments had to stop as she was hit with more life-threatening side effects/comorbidities of colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis. Karyn continues to endue these comorbidities to this day whilst trying to stay alive a little longer to be with the people she loves.
Another way to fight
Karyn soon realised that the traditional treatment was taking its toll, so she also started some complimentary therapies in May 2023 to add to her arsenal against cancer. Karyn moved her approach to a battle from a complete body, mind, soul approach. Karyn changed to a cancer fighting diet, focused on getting to the gym, doing yoga, meditation, researched alternative and complimentary therapies, prayed an awful lot and tried other crazy things like ice baths trying to stay alive. Karyn also spent time researching alternative health options and sort integrated expert advice. Karyn refuses to give up or give in.
As if fighting cancer wasn’t enough stress, in 2023, Karyn resigned from work as a teacher and university lecturer, sold the family home, cashed in her superannuation and life insurance policies for her and Scott to live off, culled all her possessions, organised her cremation, set up her memorial service, started worked on her eulogy and bought her beloved husband of 40 years a house where he could live in after Karyn died. The timer had started. Karyn began to think of life as moments and making special memories and continually pray for just one more day.
In September 2023, Karyn made it to Canberra for the birth of her second grandchild and first granddaughter. Every moment meant so much. During this time her porta-cath became infected, she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics and developed severe rheumatoid arthritis and colitis from the immunotherapy. She was deathly ill, and her end of life seemed imminent.
During this time Karyn and her husband moved into the new house, in Greenhill in north Queensland. She was so very ill and so close to death. Karyn was admitted to hospital on 19 November 2023 and told she would be dead by January 2024. All traditional treatments were stopped due to her ill health. Karyn made it to January 2024 but was readmitted to the hospital for hepatitis which she developed from the immunotherapy. The crazy thing is that in October 2023 her PET/CT scans showed that she was NEAD meaning there were No Evidence of Active Disease! Karyn then knew she had to change my approach to the fight, or she was going to die and soon, not from cancer but from the side effects and comorbidities.
Quality of life decision
At this point Karyn chose not to have any further chemical treatments and focused on the quality of her life and believe that the natural approach to managing cancer has already given Karyn more time with her precious family and friends and is adding to her quality of life. Karyn has been blessed to see the birth of another grandson in 2024 and prays to be able to have more time with her much-loved family.
Challenges and struggles
Life however continues to present challenges for Karyn. The rheumatoid arthritis means that sometimes Karyn cannot walk which means she cannot access the world easily as they live in a two-story house.
Karyn’s comorbidities have impacted her daily life and makes simple tasks like going to the bathroom and showering a terrifying challenge instead of a mere daily function. Due to Karyn’s immobility and reduces joint functions she has regular falls and has sustained significant injuries such as a broken rib, joint injuries and in numerous bruises, soft tissue injuries, head injuries and even a concussion! Karyn has sort advise from occupational therapists and nurses to see if there is any assistive technology Karyn can use and have employed any strategies suggested but the issues remain, and her safety and well-being is at risk daily. The expert solution is to modify the bathroom – a task Karyn and her husband are unable to cover financially.
Financial struggles
Karyn’s husband had to stop working after sustaining injuries in a car accident in 2013. Since that time Karyn’s income has been the only source of income for her and her husband. Karyn’s husband and soulmate of over 40 years exist on the interest from her superannuation and therefore they have limited funds. They spend around $1500 a month on treatments and supplements/vitamins etc and receive about $1500 -2000 a month from intertest. Karyn has a disability status but has not been able to receive any substantive assistance nor financial support from Centrelink nor NDIS. Karyn’s bucket of money is fast running out as she pays for all Karyn’s natural therapies and daily living expenses including travelling for treatments which often mean a three hour round trip. Therefore, there is nothing left over to enable them to modify the bathroom.
Grace to ask
Karyn has always sought to serve others and help those in need through her teaching in schools, lecturing in universities and living out her Christian faith in the community her entire life. Her work as an educator has been motivational and Karyn has received numerous awards and commendations in recognition of her contributions to others. Recently she was awarded an honorary doctorate for her lifetime of contributions and innovative practices in education. Even today Karyn seeks to help others and often meets with other cancer warriors to offer support, encouragement and comfort. Recently Karyn was asked to speak at local cancer support groups to offer a message of hope. Karyn is also writing a book of her cancer journey to try to help others.
The survival rate for TNBC isn’t great; however, her oncologist calls Karyn a “walking miracle”. Karyn is beating the odds and is alive, mostly well, except for her mobility and managing her comorbidities but still desperately needs your help.
Karyn and Scott are very private people and were reticent to share their story, but they have exhausted every other avenue and are desperate. After reflecting on the words of the Servant song the acceptance of asking for help resonated in Karyn’s heart – “pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant too”. Hence her public plea for assistance. I hope you can find it in your heart to help Karyn continue her fight to live one more day in safety and make memories with her children, grandchildren, friends and family.
How can you help?
Your donation will assist with:
- Modifying the current bathroom to create a wet room on one level with enable Karyn to bath in safety and improve her quality-of-life as well as enabling her to live with dignity.
- Assist with ongoing treatments and medications.
Any donation is appreciated, and we ask that you please share this page across your social channels so that we can raise much needed funds for Karyn.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God Bless,
The Gordon Clan (Scott, Karyn and family)