"If I could have a wish this Christmas, I’d want more time. More time with my family. More time with my son, Theo. More time to spend together: to keep creating memories and watch Theo grow up."
My name is Jessica. I was first diagnosed with bone cancer two years ago when Theo was just 5 weeks old.
Last month, I was given the devastating news that my cancer has returned.
When I was first diagnosed, I felt a mixture of emotions. I was frightened.
I was scared because I had a young son, and I felt like instantly that had all been taken away from me.
I remember thinking it shouldn’t be this way. I wasn’t supposed to have my baby, for this to be the happiest time of my life, and just weeks later find out I had cancer and needed life-saving surgery.
Most first-time mums would be on maternity leave enjoying their babies.
But, I felt the first year of my son’s life was stolen from me - and stolen from him.
That’s really hard to come to terms with. Even now.
I missed my baby boy’s very first Christmas. I was in hospital being treated for a serious infection and a blood clot on my lung. I remember feeling ‘I wish I could just be a normal mum’.
I told myself there would always be Christmas next year. I would soon be home to give Theo all the cuddles in the world and soak him in.
When you have a young child, you would do anything to give yourself the best chance to be here for them and their future.
If that meant having my arm amputated, then I was going to do it. As upsetting as it was, I knew doctors were just getting rid of the cancer. It would be gone.
But bone cancer is relentless.
Last month doctors told me my cancer has come back.
That's why this Christmas, I #StandTogether with the Bone Cancer Research Trust and our bone cancer community.
Please join us to help support life-saving research like Mr Kenneth Rankin's.
Mr Rankin is leading a group of world-class researchers to share knowledge and expertise of fluorescence guided surgery.
In fluorescence guided surgery, patients are safely given a dye before surgery that makes their tumour glow. This may help surgeons to completely remove the tumour. Fluorescence guided surgery is already used in surgery for other types of cancer. So why not bone cancer?
Fluorescence guided surgery could help save lives by lowering the risk of cancer spreading or coming back. People may no longer need to have healthy tissue removed and may no longer face an amputation like I had to.
Fluorescence guided surgery could be a game-changer and together we can make research like this happen.
Today, your gift will be MATCHED by a group of Bone Cancer Research Trust supporters, so you make TWICE the difference at no extra cost to you.
Research fills me with so much hope.
I’m really looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning and seeing Theo’s amazed face and his ‘WOW’ expression.
I’m looking forward to the pure happiness of Theo opening his presents and all my family being together.
I know one day we will create a world free of bone cancer. It’s a Christmas wish we will make come true, together.