Camilla Chapman, a mother of four, first noticed difficulty swallowing in March 2024 while adjusting to a liquid-based low-calorie diet. She assumed the discomfort was due to solid foods like pancakes, which were part of her limited menu, and believed her body just needed time to adapt. Life was busy — she was managing children and running a family business — so she brushed off the symptoms and didn’t seek medical help right away.

Three months later, Camilla discovered a small lump under her jaw and visited her doctor. However, she didn’t mention her earlier swallowing issue, and the ultrasound results appeared normal. Reassured, she carried on, even as the swallowing difficulties quietly worsened. By the end of the year, they began interrupting her sleep. Realizing something wasn’t right, she returned to her doctor in January 2025 and was sent for further testing.

In February 2025, Camilla received devastating news: she had late-stage stomach cancer that had spread to her liver, lungs, and lymph nodes. The cancer, initially slow and symptomless, had now become inoperable. Offered only palliative chemotherapy, she made the brave decision to decline it, hoping instead to preserve her energy and spend meaningful time with her young sons — aged 8, 6, 5, and 3 — while exploring alternative treatments.

Camilla has since shared her story on social media, raising awareness and launching a campaign for support through her garden business, Hope Plants. Her message to others is urgent and heartfelt: “Don’t ignore small changes. I had no pain or weight loss — just trouble swallowing.” Despite the prognosis, she remains determined to make the most of each day and use her experience to encourage others not to wait when it comes to their health.