The Cape of Creative Courage and Cancer

My name is Lou Gardiner and I'm here to share my GoFundMe campaign with you.

As an embroidery artist, I was commissioned by philanthropist Hugo Burge to create a 3rd beautiful cape inspired by nature surrounding his Scottish home and business. The capes intention is to celebrate Mother Nature and the courage needed by creatives to survive and hopefully.. THRIVE. I've poured my heart and soul into it.

(Image shown above is The Cape of Empowerment- a project I did for Pukka Herbs)

Louise Gardiner - WEBSITE LINK

Unfortunately, in 2020, at the beginning of the first lock down, I was diagnosed with Grade 4 clear-cell ovarian cancer.

I went under two lots of surgery and a round of chemotherapy, but the cancer spread all over my body, I had only a few months left to live.

 

I reached out to a specialist at the Christie Cancer Foundation, who asked if I would be interested in participating in an Immunotherapy trial they were running in Manchester. When given a Stage 4 diagnosis, it can be hard to find hope, but I felt like maybe this was serendipitous especially as I had just agreed to create the ‘Cape of Creative Courage’ for Marchmont House.

Although, after several blood tests, I was initially told that I was too poorly to meet eligibility for the trial, I managed to improve my blood count enough to be able participate. I had two nephrostomy bags fitted on to my back to prevent my kidneys from overloading and failing. I also had to agree to attend 25 Immunotherapy appointments at Christie’s every three weeks over 19 months, a long drive, which was made possible by my lovely supportive partner, family and friends.

Things were going well, albeit side effects of weakness and sickness, for some time. So much so that I appeared in the Christie 2020 / 21 film as one of the three patients who were having success.

But in August 2022, after a dodgy week health wise, I went for a PET scan in Manchester. Previous scans had shown that the cancer had stopped growing in my spine, my lungs, my stomach, my liver, outside my colon and my armpit and despite feeling like my health had improved over the past year and a half, this unfortunately showed that the cancer had spread to my adrenal glands.

I had an MRI scan on my head to check my pituitary gland which accidentally confirmed that the cancer had also spread to my brain which has since grown into 6-7 tumours.

This meant I was immediately told I was no longer eligible for the trial and was no longer allowed the drug. I’ve been offered brain surgery and Gamma Knife radio therapy. Although both of these are daunting paths, I remain hopeful and positive.

 

Who am I?

I’m have been an embroidery artist for 30 years, and have continued working on my embroidery and sharing my work during my treatments, although this has become increasing difficult. This has meant that it’s also become increasingly difficult to support myself, and to attend treatments. I’m currently working on the embroidered cape of creative courage, which I really hope I can finish and get to share with you all.

 

The Cape of Creative Courage

Douglas Fir and detailed drawing

Drawings from my sketchbook

#acornarmy #stitchanacorn #marchmonthouse

How you can support me?

Although I was initially reluctant to ask for support, I’m at a point where I no longer have the energy nor focus to completely do so myself, and so am relying on the kindness of others.

 

Any money raised will go toward sustaining my health and comfort in areas such as:

• General post operation care

• Living expenses including food, rent and utilities

• Holistic treatments

• Counselling

• Transport to my appointments

• Movement and fitness

 

Thank You….

I want to send out a big thank you to my family, friends, friends of friends, loyal customers, and everybody reading this. I know this is a tough time for everyone in the midst of our ‘cost of living crisis’, and am incredibly grateful for any donation you can spare, whether money, kind words, or even supporting me by buying one of my handmade scarves on my website.

I'm not giving up on my dream of finishing the cape and sharing it with the world. The cape has been my beacon of hope and inspiration during my toughest times, and I'm determined to see it through to the end.

The contributions will go toward my living expenses and medical bills to allow me to focus my energy on the cape.

What I believe!

I truly believe that we all have the power to make a difference in the world, and I'm so grateful for any support you can offer.

Nature is as an awe-inspiring backdrop to this project and being your authentic self is the name of the game.

Let's come together to make this project powerful and a success in joining a community together with love.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and let's make this happen …together!

The Christie hospital- Lou Gardiner