A DEDICATED nurse who is bravely battling terminal cancer has been praised for being "so strong and so positive" by her proud mum.
Teresa Chandler, 54, a children’s nurse at Colchester Hospital, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in August 2021.
Before her condition she had been studying towards a Master’s but she has now been left unable to complete the degree.
Her mother, Jo Garwood, said Teresa’s diagnosis had come as a huge shock to the entire family.
She said: “It’s completely, completely out of the blue. Teresa woke up one morning and found something wasn’t quite right.
“She works in a hospital and asked someone to have a look. They sent her to have scans. It’s been a rollercoaster.”
Teresa, who has worked for Colchester Hospital for much of her career having first volunteered in the paediatric unit, is currently in a wheelchair and requires oxygen assistance.
At present, she is very unwell due to having new chemotherapy, although Jo has said it is unclear whether the treatment could cause adverse effects.
She started the new treatment after going on a safari to Kenya at Christmas because she wanted to see animals in their natural environment.
But when she returned home, she felt extremely unwell.
Unfortunately, Teresa’s tumours had multiplied and the disease had spread through her lungs and liver.
Jo added: “They gave her a life expectancy of two years, but they have had some patients survive to five years. Teresa has said she’s going to get to five years and beyond.
“She was taken into hospital two weeks ago because they couldn’t get her temperature down after chemo. Her body can’t keep taking all this.
“She’s fighting with everything she’s got – she’s so strong, so positive, so brave. I can’t crack. I’ve got to stay strong for her.”
Despite her ongoing battle, Teresa is now striving to mark things off her bucket list.
She has a ticket to see P!nk in an upcoming concert and Teresa’s dream is to travel in a limousine to and from the venue.
Artsy Image in Colchester have now organised a bucket list fundraising event for Teresa, who is a longtime customer.
It is due to take place on June 9 at Ipswich Town Football Club.
Teresa’s extensive collection of originally signed t-shirts featuring signatures of footballers and F1 drivers will be put up for sale during the event.
Meanwhile, Essex County Cricket Club has donated a signed bat to be included.
Proceeds are being split between fundraising for Teresa’s bucket list and the Ipswich Town Football Club community trust.
There will also be a portion of the money going to Collingwood Cancer Treatment Centre at Colchester Hospital, which is looking after Teresa.
To donate visit tinyurl.com/yw4ctpaa
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