In celebration of Nurse Tracy-Ann Mullings

Peace and Blessings.

Six weeks ago (mid-March 2019), Tracy (who is a registered nurse), was rushed to A&E (Accident & Emergency)  in Bronglais hospital after experiencing severe head, neck and back pains. After multiple tests and scans with no avail she was transferred to a specialist cancer unit in Swansea, Wales - where she has been undergoing intensive tests, biopsies, scans and x-rays. The input of all the specialist teams encourages the receipt of some of the best care the country (UK) has to offer.  Tracy is currently residing at Swansea Singleton hospital, and we look forward to her being transferred back to Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, Powys, Wales - where care and treatments will continue and then home for more TLC and long term care and recovery. 


Though we are still waiting to receive more information regarding her next stage of treatment, here is what we know thus far...


Tracy is suffering from an extremely rare cancerous bone metastasis affecting mainly the spinal vertebrae (bone metastasis is when cancer cells travel from one location to another). This particular degenerative cancer eats away at the bones from the inside out. Over 60% of the top vertebrae bone known as the C1 (Atlas bone), which connects her neck to the bottom of her head (cranial bone), has been destroyed through progressive deterioration. 


This alone has put Tracy in a fragile and critical condition, which means that if any more deterioration or a breakage were to occur, Tracy could suffer paralysis for the rest of her life. This also means that any aggressive movement of the neck or spine could be fatal. There is currently no known treatment to support the bones regrowth because of the closeness to the spinal cord.


At present Tracy is wearing a neck brace full time and in receipt of various nausea and pain medications. Tracy has received two sets of radiation therapy, multiple blood transfusions, and has received the first course of a life long treatment to help strengthen the bones, (this particular treatment is required once every four weeks via intravenous infusion). 


Even though the virus has been found in almost every vertebrae of her spine, the neck bone is the most badly damaged, along with several vertebrae from her sacral, lower back (lumbar), and central back (thoracic).


Deterioration has also recently been found in her right thigh-bone.  Due to the nature of the weakening status, we are waiting to hear what treatment the orthopedic specialists will suggest.


As painful as it is to share this news, the severity of this diagnosis is distinctive and each moment of Tracy’s life has to be approached with caution, so as to avoid fractures, broken bones, paralysis or premature death.


Our aim, and as others have also expressed, is to achieve full recovery and the optimum quality of life as God is good all the time! Even though currently some of the best orthopedic and spinal specialists in the UK are working to help Tracy, her case is so rare that there is no currently known operation/procedure to repair the damage that has been done.


For Tracy and us as a family, her delicate state calls for the most graceful and mindful way forward as we acknowledge the needed changes to accommodate her limitations on mobility; yet still in God’s grace, our hearts openly ask for a miracle. God willing, when Tracy returns home from the hospital, the emphasis is and will be to make Tracy as comfortable as possible. Because of the progressive nature of the deterioration in the bones, we are currently taking life moment by moment, one day at a time.


As a result of this and the instability of the neck vertebrae, we are reaching out to you all for your love, understanding, and financial support. The finances we are looking to raise are going to be used to make Tracy’s life as comfortable as possible - this includes, but is not limited to: living arrangements, transportation, wishes and accommodations when travelling to hospitals further away from home.


This last six weeks has been a time of deep love, reflection, and prayer. We are fighting as a family to push through this and persevere, henceforth us sending this message to all friends and family. We can’t thank you all enough for taking the time to send your positive energy, love, thoughts and prayers to Tracy in her time of need - as every single message received has brought a smile to her face. We are focused on a future for Tracy that’s filled with love, smiles, laughter, happiness and sunlight. 


Please feel free to share this with other friends and family who may need to be informed. 

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A message from Tracy:


To God be the glory for this beautiful day. May his loving grace continue to shine on each and every one of us.


As many of you would be aware I have been a carer from knee height. I’m usually the first one to give or offer a helping hand to others. I cared for my family from a young age and happily extended open arms and heart to my great grandmother Ella Smith (may her soul rest in peace) way before I dreamt of becoming a registered nurse. My life changed in many ways when I came to England. However the one thing which continued to grow in the same light, was my caring heart. 


Losing both my parents in the breath of a year apart and my beloved grandmother six months prior, truly has had a knock on effect on many levels (emotionally, mentally, physically and financially). Spiritually I grew from strength to strength. With grace and pace, I have since been on the mends and now hearing this news about myself, has brought forth further shock to my system. I know that I’m not the only one who has been affected by this news, as such my love and hugs goes out to all family and friends whom this has impacted by any means. Please remain strong and stay positive as through God all things are possible and my family and I are sure to continue the same. I am pleased to say that God's imprint in my life has taken me on many journeys, and I am not saying that I had it easy; far from that. In fact, I feel that I have experienced more hard paths than smooth paths, yet still each smooth step was pleasantly pleasing and with each rough and rigged edge I experienced, I made the most of the contrast in appreciation always.


God has a plan and we are all in the picture. Now here I am in the receiving end of being a 'patient'. It is a different experience and yes I am certainly learning a lot whilst at the same time adjusting to the change in roles. It has been challenging for me to ask and to receive help from others, because I did not want to feel helpless. Even when the specialist assigned me to full bed rest just a few weeks ago and whilst I was laying flat on my back and needed help to re-position in bed, needing help to eat and drink, assistance with personal care and toileting, I really felt like I was suddenly stripped of my dignity, pride and my independence took a back seat. Yet it was through God’s grace, my sense of humor and the care of my colleagues and loving family and friends that helped to uplift me day by day. Yes indeed, I am also learning that it is okay to ask, especially when one is in need of help, whilst at the same time acknowledging my limitations.  So here I am with limitations, not by choice - and at the same time in need of support. 


I am open to receiving and accepting any support that you can afford to offer, whether it be a one time offer or continuous. 


Without further ado I take this opportunity to say thank you in advance, my family and I would certainly and greatly appreciate your help and support.


Have an anointed day in the name of the most high one. With lots of love and hugs.