Support Michelle Chapman's Healing Journey

Hi my name is Nigel and I am fundraising for Michelle. Many of you have met Michelle in our various communities and some of course have not but I hope you can find it in your hearts to support her. If there is anyone with more courage than Michelle I am yet to meet them.

Michelle has over 50 tumours in her lungs and yet manages outwardly to be bright, joyful and inspire others and walk with her beautiful girls and dogs on the beach most days. Of course Michelle wakes everyday with what seems like a mountain to climb and has difficult moments but I remain positive for Michelle that with our love, help and intentions together we can reach the summit of any mountain.

Michelle has no conventional treatment options available to her but has embraced indigenous wisdom and is being held by great spirit on her journey. Michelle is on a specific diet that is helping but I want to raise some funds to enable her to further address the metabolic dysfunction that is the one thing all cancers have in common.

There has been a lot of good research on hydrogen inhalation and red light therapy to address this mitochondrial dysfunction. These sessions are expensive, not available in Michelles area and need to be done everyday . As Michelle is a young Mum and I want to raise £7000 to buy the best hydrogen generator (about £3800) and red light full body therapy device and stand (about £1500). Both UK made by small businesses who can maintain if required and good quality. Then Michelle can use these at home everyday. I have always felt positive about Michelle’s outcome.

When Michelle recovers this knowledge can be shared with others to give hope and the equipment shared amongst those in need. The rest will be to support her supplement and organic dietary needs.

I envisage a 3 month treatment programme for Michelle enhanced with other natural protocols.

Any excess raised will go to Michelle to help support her other requirements, supplements and to make life a little easier. Perhaps additional equipment purchases if your generosity permits. That will be up to Michelle.

The first donation includes £400 from Okama and generous donations from Neil, Aaran, Ernestas, Marios, Tris, Kali, Tara, Lynn and Jo the second weekend crew. 'We love you Michelle’ ihuuuu.

Here is Michelle in her own words:

Hi, My name is Michelle. I am a 43 year old mum to two beautiful daughters Tilly age 10 and Molly age 9.

Six years ago I was diagnosed with a very rare incurable cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the salivary gland.

I am finding it incredibly hard to write this. I've always been very independent and have never wanted cancer to define who I am. Recently though, it's gotten to the point that I really need help, something that I have never been good at asking for. I've realised though, that now is not the time to be shy or proud.

This is my story so far xx

Two years before my diagnosis I knew that something was wrong. I was back and forth from the doctors with recurring tonsillitis and chest infections. At the same time I noticed a lump on the right side of my neck. I was convinced something was seriously wrong but was continuously told that nothing was wrong, and that the lump was in fact my lymph nodes swollen due to the infections. Eventually I was referred to the ENT. They initially thought the lump was in fact a salivary gland stone, a buildup of calcium, and I was told that it would resolve. Many months after that I had two biopsies, the first inconclusive and second benign. I was so happy that the results showed that it was not cancer. However, because the lump was getting larger and the pain was becoming unbearable they reluctantly agreed for the gland to be removed. In March 2018 I had surgery to remove my right submandibular gland.

Fast forward 3 weeks, I received a letter to attend a scan. When I walked into the outdoor scan unit I was told that the scan was for staging, and to make sure my cancer had not spread to any other area. I remember the life draining from me as I tried to make sense of what she was saying. But I was told it was benign, you must have it wrong I said. So I found out, alone, laying in a CT scanner with no support. That night was the longest night of my life. The next day at my appointment with my ENT surgeon it was confirmed that I had stage 2 cancer. I was quickly booked in to have 30 rounds of radiation which was gruelling to say the least. The treatment permanently affected my salivary production by 50% and pain of the radiation in my mouth was unreal.

After I had recovered from the treatment I was given another scan of the chest to pelvic area. It was then that I was told that unfortunately the cancer had already spread to my lungs, there was no treatment available and no cure.

I quickly started to research what I could do. I found some of UKs leading specialists in my type of cancer. I first attended the Christies in Manchester where I had my tumor profilled to see if I matched any up and coming trials, which I did not. At that point I was told that ACC does not respond well to chemotherapy or targeted drugs. They were currently administering a targeted drug for ACC but the response was very low and toxicity was very high. They said they would only recommend such drugs as palliative to alleviate symptoms. This was also echoed when I had a second opinion at The Royal Marsden.

I continued to be monitored very closely at the Christie. I was having scans every 4 to 6 months and every scan showed progression and more tumours. In 2020 I asked to be referred to The Royal Brompton & Harefield hospital. At this point I had 21 tumors in total throughout my lungs in every lobe. I was offered a mix of radio frequency ablation and cryoablation. As more tumors appeared and as the current ones grew in size I had this treatment 3 times within 18 month. I was then told that more ablation was not recommended. This was because an amount of healthy lung was lost each time we treated a tumor. I had to weigh up the risk versus benefit and we decided to stop. A total of 19 tumors were treated.

Fast forward to 2024. I have too many tumors to count. Harefield hospital was still overseeing my scans. At this point I was told that I had two large tumors pushing against my heart, and it was recommended that I have them removed. My consultant at Harefield pushed so hard for me to be approved for surgery and in February 2024 I had major surgery to remove part of my right middle lobe. I am forever grateful to the team at Harefield for agreeing to treat me. I truly feel without their help I may not be writing this now.

As options for treatment within the NHS have run out and my symptoms are worsening I am exploring alternatives. With the help from Nigel I am now on a carefully crafted diet and supplement protocol backed with so much research to promote healing. But more needs to be done.

I don't think a day has gone by where I haven't felt the fear and heartbreak that I might not see my girls grow up. This disease has taken so much from me and my family but it hasn't taken my hope. I truly believe that I can heal.

I just want to thank everyone who has already donated. I am overwhelmed by the support I have already received and am forever grateful.