Birmingham Woman Embarks on Global Adventures After Incurable Cancer Diagnosis
A 26-year-old woman from Birmingham is courageously ticking off items from her bucket list after receiving a devastating incurable cancer diagnosis. Khadejah Sutherland is battling stage four cancer that has spread from her breast to her liver and stomach, but she remains determined to make the most of her remaining time by exploring the world.
From Diagnosis to Determination
Khadejah's journey began in 2022 when she was just 22 years old. She noticed unusual symptoms, including significant weight gain and severe skin issues, which led her to seek medical attention. "I did not have any of the typical symptoms associated with breast cancer," she explained. After tests revealed a cyst and a subsequent biopsy, she received the shocking news: she had stage three breast cancer.
The diagnosis prompted aggressive treatment, including:
- Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
- Six different surgeries
- A double mastectomy
- Skin grafts
- Egg removal
Unfortunately, the chemotherapy had severe side effects, damaging her pancreas and causing Type 1 diabetes, while also triggering early menopause. Despite these challenges, the cancer progressed to stage four and became incurable.
Refusing to Let Cancer Control Her Life
Rather than succumbing to despair, Khadejah made a conscious decision to take control of her life. "After a while, I decided that I'm not going to let it control my life," she stated. "I do not have cancer, cancer has me. So I am pursuing my dream of travelling the world."
She has since visited numerous destinations, including:
- Paris, France
- Brazil
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Ibiza, Spain
- Malta
- Dublin, Ireland
- San Francisco, USA
- Las Vegas, USA
Khadejah particularly cherished her experience in Brazil, describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" where she felt "blessed and grateful." She shared, "It was surreal to see one of the seven wonders of the world and everyone was just so kind and so lovely, it really made me appreciate life."
Balancing Travel with Medical Needs
Traveling with advanced cancer requires careful planning and management. Khadejah must bring all her medications, maintain strict routines for taking them, and consistently monitor her diabetes. She also needs to rest between activities, sometimes taking days off from exploring due to exhaustion, joint pain, or medication side effects.
"I know that just comes with the territory," she acknowledged. "My friends are really good at looking after me and checking in on me to ensure I'm feeling okay consistently and they never made me feel guilty if I have to miss things."
Future Plans and Fundraising Efforts
Khadejah has several upcoming trips planned, including visits to Japan, Brussels, and Morocco. She still hopes to visit Jamaica and South Africa. To fund her travels, she has set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised over £19,000 so far.
While grateful for the opportunity to travel, Khadejah expressed mixed emotions. "I do feel so blessed to be able to travel and see the world in a way that I never thought I would be able to before, but at the same time, it is heartbreaking that it is under these circumstances," she said. "I would rather never travel again but be cancer free than travel the world and have cancer."
Despite the challenges, Khadejah remains committed to living her best life. "My diagnosis has impacted every part of my life and sometimes I mourn who I used to be before getting sick, but this is my new normal and I will still live my best life despite my situation," she affirmed. "I want to see as much of the world as I can so I can feel like I truly lived and I didn't waste any time on this earth."
