A Maryland mother of five receives a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis and learns she has just five weeks to live.
Courtney Smith, 34, of St. Mary’s County, was diagnosed with stage 4 invasive lobular cancer in April.
But just four weeks ago, she was told she had about two months to live.
She said she was so scared that it took her so long to see a doctor. During her most recent examination, her doctors told her that the cancer had spread to her brain.
After hearing the news, Smith began focusing on the time he had left to make memories with his family.
reflecting WUSA9She said she hopes her story serves as a warning to people who are too scared to go to the doctor.
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Courtney Smith, a 34-year-old mother of five from St. Mary’s County, was diagnosed with stage 4 invasive lobular cancer in April and was given only months to live just four weeks ago. .
She will leave behind her husband and five children, ages 16, 14, 12, 9 and 2, but she hopes to make some new memories in the meantime.
She also admitted that her body could no longer tolerate chemotherapy, which means her fate is definitely sealed.
“I feel like I can save someone’s life now,” she told the station from the hospice on Saturday, adding that she may have missed out on healing by avoiding a doctor’s appointment after noticing a lump in her chest.
“I’m 34 years old and I’m scared to death of going to the doctor.”
Smith’s battle with cancer began in 2021, when she was diagnosed with stage 3 disease, which is curable if caught early.
She first started having doubts a long time ago. I noticed the dimple in her chest. However, she was unable to undergo the test due to fear.
Some time later, she was unable to produce milk for her newborn, causing further fear.
Those concerns finally led her to seek medical attention, she told WUSA. There she learned that she had cancer that originates from the mammary glands.
She says she couldn’t believe it at first.
“I ask them questions like, ‘Did you read this online?'” she told the outlet, sitting next to her husband Andre, who had a tube running down his side. .
“They said, ‘No, it’s cancer.'”
“Now I feel like I can save someone’s life,” she told the station Saturday from hospice, where she avoided medical attention after noticing a lump in her breast and may have missed out on healing. “I’m 34 years old and I’m scared to death of going to the doctor.”
![``My 2-year-old son [their youngest], he always makes us smile,'' Andre said, as his wife wept next to him.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/19/23/78000973-12768607-_Our_2_year_old_son_their_youngest_he_always_keeps_us_smiling_An-a-19_1700436665281.jpg)
“My 2-year-old son [their youngest], he always makes us smile,” Andre said, as his wife wept next to him. “So it’s really the kids who are supporting us in this way.”
Smith said he has spent the past few weeks in hospice care, where doctors have given him painkillers to reassure him.
By April, the disease had progressed to stage 4, with an average five-year survival rate of about 6 percent.
Still hopeful, she underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to eradicate the disease, but three months ago she received news that all was in vain.
She was then transferred to hospice, but on Friday she and her husband lamented the reality of their situation.
“My 2-year-old son [their youngest]he always makes us smile,” Andre said, as his wife wept next to him.
“So it’s really the kids who are supporting us in this way.”
Smith said he has spent the past few weeks in hospice care, where doctors have given him painkillers to reassure him.
She will leave behind her husband and five children, ages 16, 14, 12, 9 and 2, but she hopes to make new memories in the meantime.
“I want them to know that I love them and I love them very much,” she told the station.
“We’re going to take any means, any drastic measures, to make sure they’re OK,” even beyond the grave. ”
The mother said she is also working on writing children’s books as a lasting legacy to her five children.
“My cancer has spread to my bones and brain, which limits my activities with my children,” the mother recently revealed.
She said she hopes to be able to watch Christmas again with her children at least by December.
She also admitted that her body could no longer tolerate chemotherapy, meaning her fate was definitely sealed.
She reflected on this on a GoFundMe she started earlier this month to help with funeral expenses, which has raised $72,710 so far. The money will now be bequeathed to her family as a local funeral home said they would cover her expenses.
Meanwhile, Smith wrote: “Unfortunately, I don’t have long to live on this earth. Every day is a struggle, both mentally and physically.
“I have young, sensitive, creative and intelligent children and I want to support them through this life. My dream was to hold their hand and guide them into adulthood. But that dream is fading.”
She further revealed, “My cancer has spread to my bones and brain, which limits my activities with my children.”
“As I approach the end of my life, my goal is to help my husband, a single father, financially with his funeral expenses.
“Please show your love and support.”
The mother said she is also writing a children’s book in memory of her five children. She added that she hopes it will be at least in time for December so she can share another Christmas with them.
