John Klapwijk, 61, has spoken of his devastation after his fiancée Yasmin Ibrahim, 56, suffered three strokes in hospital, leaving her in critical condition. Doctors have told him to prepare for the worst, and he is praying for a miracle.
Cancer Spread to Lymph Nodes
Yasmin, a wellbeing coach, was diagnosed with cervical cancer last summer. She initially underwent chemotherapy and targeted radiotherapy, which successfully removed the original tumour. However, in August, the couple discovered the cancer had spread to three lymph nodes.
John, a personal trainer from Richmond, London, said: "The doctors have said I need to prepare myself for the worst. I'm talking to God every minute of the day."
Strokes and Brain Bleed
Yasmin has also suffered a bleed on the brain and is too weak to receive treatment for the cancer. John explained: "She isn't strong enough to have treatment for the cancer but it's the cancer causing the strokes. We're stuck between a rock and a hard place."
He described the rollercoaster of her consciousness, saying: "She has moments where she can communicate. Yesterday, we were having a laugh and she was being quite cheeky."
Wedding Postponed and Fundraiser Launched
The couple, together for four years, were due to marry on 9 October but postponed the wedding until next year. John has launched a fundraiser to cover the cost of therapies and to provide Yasmin with a peaceful place to recuperate.
He said: "We spent a lot of money on holistic treatment so we've built up a debt issue that we're trying to deal with. The main purpose of the fundraiser is to fund treatment and therapies once we get her through this."
John hopes Yasmin will recover enough to undergo further treatment, adding: "Miracles happen every day and I have to keep faith and hoping something happens that brings her around."
