Jess Gibelli, a 28-year-old woman from Addlestone, Surrey, was juggling two physically demanding jobs while ignoring persistent bloating and fatigue, until a sudden heart rate spike to 160 beats per minute changed her life forever. What she initially thought was a simple stomach bug in November 2025 turned out to be a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, leading to a harrowing medical journey that included emergency surgery and months of hospitalisation.
From Stomach Bug to Cancer Diagnosis
In November 2025, Jess began experiencing symptoms including nausea, sickness, extreme fatigue, and abdominal bloating. As a florist and owner of her own event décor business, Viva La Fiesta, she attributed her discomfort to overwork and a potential stomach bug, often heading straight to bed after work without eating dinner. However, the symptoms persisted, leaving her drained and in pain, which significantly impacted her ability to work.
On December 21, 2025, Jess was rushed to St Peter's Hospital when her heart rate unexpectedly soared to 160 while at rest. An ultrasound scan on December 23 revealed a massive 30cm abdominal mass, and on Christmas Eve, she received the devastating confirmation that it was cancerous. This marked the beginning of a rapid and intense medical intervention.
Emergency Surgery and Hospitalisation
After a colonoscopy appointment on December 27, Jess developed a sepsis-level infection, requiring doctors to drain fluid from her chest. She was admitted to intensive care at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, where eight consultants determined she needed an emergency, high-risk operation within hours to remove the rapidly growing abdominal tumours.
During the first procedure, surgeons had to halt the operation and place Jess into a medically induced coma to allow her body to recover. The following day, she returned to theatre where both of her ovaries were removed and an ileostomy was performed. Several days later, test results confirmed the diagnosis: high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
Intensive Treatment and Emotional Journey
Jess was moved to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea for critical care and began intensive chemotherapy. She is currently undergoing her third of four rounds, with treatment expected to conclude in April 2026. Reflecting on her diagnosis, Jess shared, "There was a weird sense of relief and worry when Burkitt lymphoma was finally diagnosed. Things moved very quickly after that, and a treatment plan was put in place. I was still in shock that this was happening."
Her sisters, Sophie and Danielle, launched a GoFundMe page to help ease the financial burden, as Jess works for herself with no income stream during her illness. The campaign has raised over £16,000, showcasing the overwhelming support from her community. Sophie Wainwright, 32, commented, "Jess is the funniest, craziest, loud, outgoing person who everyone gets on with. She is so unbelievably strong, she has hardly ever complained."
Raising Awareness and Gratitude
Jess expressed her gratitude for the donations and support, stating, "Thank you to everyone who donated on the GoFundMe, everyone has been so supportive and generous." She also emphasised the importance of health awareness, adding, "I hope by me sharing my story it has raised awareness for anyone else experiencing similar symptoms, and I just encourage everyone to go and get checked."
Sophie praised the medical staff at St Peter's Hospital and Royal Marsden Hospital for their calm and reassuring approach throughout Jess's ordeal. She looks forward to organising a major celebration with family, friends, and medical staff once Jess leaves hospital, highlighting the resilience and hope that define this challenging journey.
