Emma Gorrick, breast cancer battle: Husband appeals for help

A young mum told she has just a few months to live has appealed to the kindness of strangers, as she battles to extend her time with her children and loving husband.

A young mum who was given just three months to live after doctors found 30 tumours in bones all over her body, is appealing to the community for help.

Emma Gorrick, 35, from Cromer on Sydney’s northern beaches, has embarked on a tough regimen of natural therapies after she was told there was no cure for her cancer.

Since then the lesions in her bones have disappeared or are no longer active.

While doctors cannot explain it, or recommend others take up the same therapies, Mrs Gorrick is appealing for donations so she can continue in the hope it gives her more time with her two children and loving husband.

The former hair salon owner was told in January last year that she had incurable cancer.

She had previously beaten breast cancer 10 years ago through gruelling chemotherapy, radiation and a double mastectomy.

Emma Gorrick, 35, of Cromer, was diagnosed with re-occurring breast cancer in 2020 and as given just months to live. Pictured with husband Dave and children Mya, 5, and Ryan, 3. Credit: Courtney Gold Photography

This time round radiation helped reduce the “tennis ball-sized” tumour in her liver, but the bone tumours remained.

After a course of oral chemotherapy, where it was found the new cancer was resistant to the drug and more tumours were growing in her bones, doctors gave her some devastating news.

“They told me I had a few months to live and I said, ‘No way, I have two kids and a husband I love’,” Mrs Gorrick, said.

Their only suggestion was palliative care – a course of intravenous chemotherapy, which they said might help prolong her life, but there were no guarantees.

Ten years ago when she had intravenous chemotherapy she was left bedridden and lost all of her hair.

She decided she didn’t want that to be the last memory of their mum for her kids Mya, 5 and Ryan, 3.

“I’m not against chemotherapy,” Mrs Gorrick said.

“I’ve had the best of both worlds. I did chemotherapy before, but when I was told I had just a few months to live I decided I had nothing to lose and decided to concentrate on natural therapies.”

She had already changed her diet, but her family began helping her investigate lots of other options.

Emma Gorrick, 35, of Cromer, was told she has just months to live, is trying to keep healthy with a regimen of natural therapies including IV vitamin infusions. Picture: Supplied.

Mrs Gorrick now follows an intensive regimen including IV vitamin infusions, colonic irrigation, extreme saunas, ice-baths, as well as anti parasite medications, medicinal cannabis and mental health coaching.

She is also a strict vegan and alkaline diet, eating only organic plant-based foods and hasn’t touched sugar for two years.

She still keeps her hospital appointments and said her oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital cannot explain why the tumours in her bones have disappeared.

Mrs Gorrick believes the therapies – that cost her $1500 a week – are keeping her alive.

Emma Gorrick, 35, of Cromer, was diagnosed with re-occurring breast cancer in January 2020 which had spread to her bones and liver. This scan was taken in December 2020. Picture: Supplied.

Emma Gorrick, 35, of Cromer, was diagnosed with re-occurring breast cancer in January 2020 which had spread to her bones and liver. This scan was taken in March 2021 after she pursued natural therapies. Picture: Supplied.

While she still has five tumours growing in her liver and sometimes has bad days when she can’t get out of bed, she generally feels well.

When she is not undergoing therapies she spends all her time with her kids and husband Dave.

“We go bike riding or to the beach and spend as much time out in the sunshine,” Mrs Gorrick said.

“Cancer has made me appreciate the simple things in life, the things that matter.

“We don’t need all this materialistic stuff.

“Spending time with my kids, seeing them laugh and having picnics together is what makes me happy.”

Prof Fran Boyle, a top Sydney oncologist, said she did not know details of Mrs Gorrick’s case but would only recommend evidence-based palliative care services for people with advanced cancer.

Emma Gorrick, 35, of Cromer, was diagnosed with re-occurring breast cancer in 2020 and as given just months to live. She is doing everything she can to stay well for her children Mya, 5, and Ryan, 3. Credit: Courtney Gold Photography

“A mental health strategy and a good diet are very important,” she said.

“But I am not aware of any diet that can change her prognosis.”

She said there was data to show evidence-based palliative care can improve quality of life and those services are free to those who need it.

Prof Boyle added that new treatments are in the process of being approved.

“I hope some of this may be available soon,” she said. “If she is well enough there may be options for her next year.”

Mrs Gorrick intends to continue to fight with natural therapies, but the pot of money from their previous fundraising efforts has now been eaten up and money has been tight since she had to give up her business Emma Louise Hair and Beauty, in Narrabeen, in 2020, following the cancer diagnosis and Covid.

She has used up all her Superannuation and Centrelink has denied her disability payment.

Emma Gorrick, 35, of Cromer, who has re-occurring breast cancer that has spread to her bones and liver, having a PET scan. Picture: Supplied.

This week her husband, who is a construction site manager for a building company, launched a new Go Fund Me to help raise funds and in just over 24 hours has raised $22,000.

“Some of Em’s doctor’s don’t believe she will be with us for much longer … we won’t believe that, and I can’t bear the thought of it,” he wrote.

“We are so close to clearing Em for a second time, but our funds have run out along with things we can sell.

“I am not the type of person that likes asking for anything but when it’s the life of the one you love, you will resort to whatever it takes.

“I already work 50-60 hours per week to try and cover what I can and any time I’ve got that I’m not working I spend with Em and the kids to keep a smile on my wife’s face.

“Em’s expenses cost us around $1500 per week, so if you’ve got a spare dollar I will be forever in your debt.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of those who have already helped us throughout this journey, Em wouldn’t be here without you.”

To donate go to:https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-journey-of-healing-em?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer