Woman who had double cancer diagnosis at 34 refused chemo to travel the world with her girlfriend

Katie Marshall (left), 36, and Nicola Rowbotham (right) , 33, at the Hollywood sign. See SWNS story SWLEtravellers; A 34-year-old woman who thought she was going to die when she was diagnosed with cancer made the brave decision to reject chemo and travel the world with her girlfriend. Katie Marshall, 36, and partner Nicola Rowbotham, 33, have been living in a campervan in the Canadian wilderness without internet, WiFi or electricity for eight months. The besotted couple managed to sneak into the country just before lockdown in March after quitting their jobs and selling all of their belongings. Katie was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2018 but was given a devastating double-blow when doctors found she also had breast cancer just three months later. She had been on a 4,000 mile road trip with Nicola in the U.S. at the time and had to return to Manchester for urgent surgery to remove the tumour in May 2018. Katie refused chemotherapy following the surgery, which she said was ?more terrifying? than the cancer diagnosis, and opted for a natural course of treatment. The couple then spent time deciding to change their lifestyles to incorporate Katie's new holistic form of cancer treatment, save money, quit their jobs and travel the world - landing in Canada in March 2020. Katie, from Hattersley, Cheshire, said: ?When I got my diagnosis, the thought of chemotherapy was more terrifying than the diagnosis itself.
Katie Marshall (left) and Nicola Rowbotham (right) at the Hollywood sign (Picture: Round the World Magazine/SWNS)

A 34-year-old woman who thought she was going to die when she was diagnosed with cancer made the decision to reject chemo and travel the world with her girlfriend.

Katie Marshall, now 36, was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2018 but was then told by doctors that she also had breast cancer just three months later.

Katie and her girlfriend Nicola Rowbotham, 33, were on a trip of a lifetime spanning 4,000 miles across America at the time, and they had to return to Manchester for urgent surgery to remove Katie’s tumour in May 2018.

But, following the surgery, Katie, who’s from Hattersley, Cheshire, refused chemotherapy which she says was ‘more terrifying. than the cancer diagnosis.

The loved-up couple then decided to save up so they could quit their jobs and continue their travels. They also adapted their lifestyles to incorporate Katie’s chosen holistic cancer treatment.

Finally, the pair settled in Canada in March this year, and have been there ever since.

Katie Marshall, 36, underwent a successful surgery at Manchester's Chrstie Cancer Hospital in early May 2018. See SWNS story SWLEtravellers; A 34-year-old woman who thought she was going to die when she was diagnosed with cancer made the brave decision to reject chemo and travel the world with her girlfriend. Katie Marshall, 36, and partner Nicola Rowbotham, 33, have been living in a campervan in the Canadian wilderness without internet, WiFi or electricity for eight months. The besotted couple managed to sneak into the country just before lockdown in March after quitting their jobs and selling all of their belongings. Katie was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2018 but was given a devastating double-blow when doctors found she also had breast cancer just three months later. She had been on a 4,000 mile road trip with Nicola in the U.S. at the time and had to return to Manchester for urgent surgery to remove the tumour in May 2018. Katie refused chemotherapy following the surgery, which she said was ?more terrifying? than the cancer diagnosis, and opted for a natural course of treatment. The couple then spent time deciding to change their lifestyles to incorporate Katie's new holistic form of cancer treatment, save money, quit their jobs and travel the world - landing in Canada in March 2020. Katie, from Hattersley, Cheshire, said: ?When I got my diagnosis, the thought of chemotherapy was more terrifying than the diagnosis itself.
Katie had emergency surgery, but refused to have chemotherapy after her tumour was removed (Picture: Round the World Magazine/SWNS)

The couple met in 2010 at a house party in Newcastle and have visited 36 different countries and travelled more than 200,000 miles together since 2015.

Katie and Nicola have now been living in a camper van in the Canadian wilderness without internet, WiFi or electricity for eight months.

The couple managed to get into the country just before lockdown in March after quitting their jobs and selling all of their belongings.

‘When I got my diagnosis, the thought of chemotherapy was more terrifying than the diagnosis itself,’ explains Katie.

‘I had a very supportive oncologist who was there to answer all of my concerns. I was offered chemo because of my age and because my breast cancer was aggressive.

‘I had surgery to remove the tumour and had an agonising wait for a number of results from the biopsy that lasted around three months.’

Katie Marshall, 36, enjoying breakfast at the campervan, in Canada. See SWNS story SWLEtravellers; A 34-year-old woman who thought she was going to die when she was diagnosed with cancer made the brave decision to reject chemo and travel the world with her girlfriend. Katie Marshall, 36, and partner Nicola Rowbotham, 33, have been living in a campervan in the Canadian wilderness without internet, WiFi or electricity for eight months. The besotted couple managed to sneak into the country just before lockdown in March after quitting their jobs and selling all of their belongings. Katie was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2018 but was given a devastating double-blow when doctors found she also had breast cancer just three months later. She had been on a 4,000 mile road trip with Nicola in the U.S. at the time and had to return to Manchester for urgent surgery to remove the tumour in May 2018. Katie refused chemotherapy following the surgery, which she said was ?more terrifying? than the cancer diagnosis, and opted for a natural course of treatment. The couple then spent time deciding to change their lifestyles to incorporate Katie's new holistic form of cancer treatment, save money, quit their jobs and travel the world - landing in Canada in March 2020. Katie, from Hattersley, Cheshire, said: ?When I got my diagnosis, the thought of chemotherapy was more terrifying than the diagnosis itself.
The pair have been living out of a camper van for eight months (Picture: Round the World Magazine/SWNS)

Doctors found a lesion on Katie’s spine and she was tested for bone cancer. But fortunately the results came back negative – they found a ‘micrometastasis’ which is a small collection of cancer cells from the original tumour.

‘That was successfully removed but it was petrifying to think that I might die at 34,’ she adds.

‘Ever since the trauma of being twice diagnosed with cancer, three months apart, I struggled with anxiety and insomnia for around a year.

‘I now see the trauma of the whole experience as a gentle steer into living freely on the road, hopefully for the rest of my days.’

Katie Marshall (right), 36, Nicola Rowbotham (left), 33, inside the camper van, British Columbia, Canada. See SWNS story SWLEtravellers; A 34-year-old woman who thought she was going to die when she was diagnosed with cancer made the brave decision to reject chemo and travel the world with her girlfriend. Katie Marshall, 36, and partner Nicola Rowbotham, 33, have been living in a campervan in the Canadian wilderness without internet, WiFi or electricity for eight months. The besotted couple managed to sneak into the country just before lockdown in March after quitting their jobs and selling all of their belongings. Katie was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2018 but was given a devastating double-blow when doctors found she also had breast cancer just three months later. She had been on a 4,000 mile road trip with Nicola in the U.S. at the time and had to return to Manchester for urgent surgery to remove the tumour in May 2018. Katie refused chemotherapy following the surgery, which she said was ?more terrifying? than the cancer diagnosis, and opted for a natural course of treatment. The couple then spent time deciding to change their lifestyles to incorporate Katie's new holistic form of cancer treatment, save money, quit their jobs and travel the world - landing in Canada in March 2020. Katie, from Hattersley, Cheshire, said: ?When I got my diagnosis, the thought of chemotherapy was more terrifying than the diagnosis itself.
Katie and Nicola hope to continue travelling the world when restrictions are eased (Picture: Round the World Magazine/SWNS)

Katie said she has ‘never felt more alive’ than she does now and, thankfully, she only needs to go for check-ups twice a year to make sure the tumour hasn’t grown.

The pair had hoped Canada would be the first of many stops in their travels, but the pandemic had other plans.

‘We had plans to drive our camper down to Oregon and California – eight months later, we’re still there due to the coronavirus pandemic,’ says Katie.

‘During this time, we have not had internet access, electricity or running water.’

They hope to get on the move again once travel restrictions and lockdowns are eased around the world.

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

MORE : Your daily horoscope for November 23

MORE : ‘The greatest wildlife show on earth’: Why safaris need saving

MORE : Here’s what really happens to your lost luggage



source https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/23/woman-who-had-cancer-diagnosis-at-34-refused-chemo-to-travel-the-world-13637886/
Top rated Digital marketing. From $30 Business growth strategy Hello! I am Sam, a Facebook blueprint certified marketer. Expert in Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, Google Ads, YouTube Ads, and SEO. I use SEMrush and other tools for data-driven research. I can build million-dollar marketing strategy for your business.
Learn more

Post a Comment

0 Comments