by A young woman was given the shocking news that she had just days to live after being struck down by a form of cancer that was considered “impossible to catch” at a tender age. Alexandra Angeles Caycho, aged just 21, initially thought she had a rugby injury before doctors shockingly discovered she had terminal cancer.
The 21-year-old moved from Peru to Lancaster, pursuing her passion for art and design at a local university from 2021. But her life turned upside down in February last year when she started suffering back pain and agonizing knees, finally getting step three. a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer – while she was only 20 years old.
Alex recalled the unusual changes in her bowel movements and the excruciating pain she attributed to her active rugby. She said “I was in a lot of pain but I played rugby at the time so I thought I had just hurt myself, but it never went away. I went to my GP and was told it was I have hypermobility and flat feet that could be causing the pain. It was so painful.”
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In the following weeks, Alex saw a rapid decline in her health, noticing that her eyes were turning yellow and she was unable to sit for significant periods of time. Her boyfriend Dylan was rushed to A&E where it was suggested he might have a liver problem.
Alex said: “It came up from that. In June I ended up in hospital with minor symptoms, I was vomiting, I had fever and anaemia. I stayed in hospital for eight weeks, my symptoms were not changing .The sickness went away but I had a bad stomach, I was throwing up blood.
“I was getting infection after infection, each time one cleared and settled somewhere else. At that time I found out I had stage four cancer, and it had spread to my liver. I was transferred to a Cancer Center Clatterbridge in Liverpool.”, the Mirror has reported.
“It was a shock to us all. We didn’t think it was going to happen, I’ve had bouts of sickness before but we never thought for a second that I’d have symptoms like this. It was scary, and I’m in stage three sounds a lot nicer than step four because there is step four, that’s it.
“All the signs pointed to cancer but because this type of cancer is so rare in young people, the doctors were arguing with each other saying that I couldn’t have it, yet here I am, facing a battle that is not no one there. he should never have to fight.”
After graduating university and looking forward to a master’s degree, Alex was sent home to spend precious time with her mother, Linda, and Dylan. However, her return to hospital for chemotherapy was reduced when she vomited blood.
Alex said: “They are [the doctors] Decided to put everything on hold and put me back in the ward. I was there for two weeks and they told me I had internal bleeding from the cancer, they said there was nothing they could do and I have days to weeks to live. The cancer was locally advanced, meaning it was inoperable, if they tried to take it out I would most likely have shot it.”
“I have been through endless rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and stays in the hospital. I have tried to stay strong and keep fighting with everything I have, but unfortunately my journey is coming to an end. I am too tired most days. I suffer from swelling, the swelling is so bad. I have gained ten kilos of fluid and my body is too weak to cope with that huge weight gain. eat and drink if I can.”
Eager to reunite with her family in Peru and find solace in what may be her final days, Alex shared her desire to return home where she feels “at peace”. Despite this crowd, the costs of an air ambulance reach an insurmountable £150,000, making it impossible for her family to be financially protected.
Alex noted: “I have my mum and partner here with me who have been very supportive, they are doing everything they can to get me back home. But Peru is where my family lives long. I want to see my dad, aunts and uncles. My mother and I are the only ones who live here. We live here alone GoFundMe page to help me and my mum and to take a weight off my shoulders, it was really hectic.”
Her boyfriend Dylan admitted the process was “terrifying”. He explained: “It feels like a hole in my stomach, it’s too big and there’s so much going on, especially being so young. There were so many different emotions.”
Alexs mother Linda said: “We are trying to be okay, it has been so overwhelming and we are trying to get her back home but it is challenging to arrange everything.”
Supporters can contribute to Alex’s GoFundMe and follow her updates on Instagram.
