From Stomach Bug to Blood Cancer: A Young Woman's Life-Threatening Diagnosis
Jess Gibelli, a 28-year-old from Addlestone, Surrey, began experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, extreme tiredness, and bloating in November 2025. Initially, she dismissed these as a simple stomach bug, attributing her fatigue to her physically demanding roles as a florist and owner of an events styling company, Viva La Fiesta. However, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to a shocking diagnosis of a rare and potentially fatal illness.
A Sudden Turn for the Worse
In December 2025, Jess's pulse skyrocketed to 160 while she was resting, prompting an urgent admission to St Peter's Hospital. An ultrasound scan revealed a massive 30cm mass in her abdomen. On Christmas Eve, she received the devastating news that the mass was malignant. Further tests confirmed she had a sepsis-level infection, requiring doctors to drain fluid from her chest and keep her hospitalised.
Emergency Surgery and Diagnosis
Just over a week later, Jess was rushed to intensive care, where eight consultants informed her that high-risk emergency surgery was needed within hours to remove rapidly expanding abdominal tumours. During the initial operation, surgeons had to halt proceedings and place Jess in a medically induced coma to allow her body to recover. The following day, she underwent another surgery to remove both ovaries and have an ileostomy fitted, a procedure that creates a stoma from the small intestine.
Final test results in January 2026 confirmed Jess had been diagnosed with high-grade B-cell Non-Hodgkin Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. Jess expressed a mix of relief and worry upon receiving the diagnosis, noting that things moved quickly to establish a treatment plan, though she remains in shock about the situation.
Ongoing Treatment and Financial Struggles
Jess was transferred to the Royal Marsden Hospital's critical care unit in Chelsea, where she is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy. She is on her third out of four rounds, with treatment expected to conclude by April. As a self-employed individual, Jess has no income during this challenging time. To help alleviate financial strain, her sisters, Sophie and Danielle, set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised over £16,000 so far.
Family Support and Awareness
Sophie Wainwright, 32, a hairdresser and Jess's sister, described Jess as a funny, outgoing, and strong person who has hardly complained throughout the ordeal. She praised the medical staff at St Peter's Hospital and Royal Marsden Hospital for their calm and reassuring support. Sophie looks forward to the day Jess can be discharged, hoping to throw a grand summer celebration with family, friends, and healthcare workers.
Jess expressed gratitude for the donations and support, emphasising that she hopes sharing her story raises awareness for others experiencing similar symptoms. She encourages everyone to seek medical checks if they notice persistent issues, highlighting the importance of early detection in serious health conditions.
