Young woman, 23, who died after refusing chemo was 'fanatical' about her heath
A University of Cambridge graduate who died after she refused chemotherapy told a court she was "anti-vax" and said she trusted her mum's health advice, an inquest has heard.
Paloma Shemirani, 23, died at Royal Sussex County Hospital on July 24 2024 after declining the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her mum, Kay, "Kate" Shemirani, is known for sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories online, the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, previously heard.
In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma said she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday. The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it, the inquest was told.
She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in the statements, which were read by lawyer Alison Hewitt. Ms Shemirani, who attended the inquest via video link, weeped and held pictures of Paloma to the camera as they were read.
It said: 'I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with. I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water.
'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol. If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist.
'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'. She also described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'.
Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding that she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously.
Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy' and that she is 'anti-vax'. She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiancée, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised.
Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer.
Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'.
She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard.
'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer," she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12.
'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said. These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the second world war. How could this happen today?', it continued.
Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with – including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm – had subsided.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Why cancer patients may have to avoid popular sugar substitute
New research from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center suggests that sucralose, a popular sugar substitute, may interfere with the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments. Patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer who consumed high levels of sucralose responded worse to immunotherapy and had poorer survival rates. The study, primarily conducted on mice, found that sucralose disrupts gut bacteria, leading to a depletion of the amino acid arginine, which is essential for T-cell function and effective immunotherapy. Researchers discovered that supplementing with arginine counteracted the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy treatments in mice. Future plans include pursuing clinical trials to determine if arginine supplementation can mitigate sucralose's effects in humans and investigating the impact of other artificial sweeteners on the immune system and cancer treatments.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was fit and healthy until I noticed cough that led to devastating diagnosis
Flight attendant Warren, 39, was a health enthusiast and loved running until he noticed a persistent cough that changed his life in a way he never would have expected For many of us, a tickly cough is fleeting and quickly dissipates, but for one "fit and healthy" cabin crew member, a persistent led to an unexpected and life-altering diagnosis that landed him in hospital. Warren - who enjoys running, has never smoked, and maintains good health - initially dismissed the intermittent cough when he first noticed it in 2021. During the Covid pandemic, the flight attendant was frequently tested for the virus as part of his job, with all results coming back negative. In a conversation with Cancer Research, Warren recounted his experience, saying he wasn't particularly worried when he first visited his GP in June 2021. He explained: "I was prescribed antihistamines, which didn't make any difference, and then omeprazole when I went back, as it was then thought the problem might be acid reflux." Eager to understand what was affecting his health, Warren underwent a chest X-ray and a CT scan. It wasn't until a consultant noticed something unusual in one of his lungs and mentioned the need for surgery just after Christmas. Warren revealed: "In February 2022, finally got a diagnosis of Stage 3a lung cancer. Some of my lymph nodes had been taken out during the surgery, and cancer was found in two of them." READ MORE: Man orders a latte in Spain and 'unfair' bill leaves him floored He reflected on his lifestyle and health, adding: "I'm a runner, I've always been fit and healthy and never smoked, so I didn't think it would be cancer." Warren's operation was subsequently followed by rounds of chemotherapy treatment. He described experiencing "horrendous" adverse effects, including hair loss and persistent feelings of exhaustion and nausea. Lung cancer ranks as the third most prevalent cancer across the UK and stands as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With lung cancer awareness month currently underway, Warren has shared a stark warning based on his personal journey. In a message posted across Cancer Research's social media platforms, Warren stated: "Even if you've never smoked or think you're too young - anyone can get cancer, and I would encourage you to speak to your GP if you feel something isn't quite right. You should never think it can't happen to you." By January 2023, after undergoing four monthly examinations that all returned clear results, Warren received medical clearance to resume flying and was able to get back to his career. He has since returned to long-haul aviation work and has rediscovered his passion for running, covering roughly 15-20 miles weekly. Nevertheless, Warren acknowledged: "Although I am living my best life again, I am planning to start counselling to help me cope with the anxiety over whether my cancer will come back, as I have been agitating at every little sign of illness. I am also planning to do some fundraising runs for Cancer Research UK and other charities like the Roy Castle Trust." Lung cancer warning signs The NHS cautions that lung cancer frequently presents no clear symptoms during its initial phases. A persistent cough lasting beyond three weeks could signal concern, particularly one that continues to deteriorate. Recurring chest infections, discomfort or pain when coughing, persistent breathlessness, fatigue or low energy could all be indicators of lung cancer. A loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss might also signal the disease. If you're experiencing any of these primary symptoms of lung cancer, or if you have any health concerns at all, it's crucial to consult a GP. Further information can be found on the NHS website.
Metro
12 hours ago
- Metro
Lyme disease destroyed my life - it all started with a tick
Nine years ago, my life turned upside down. In 2016, aged 31, I went on a solo trip travelling the world. I started in South America, followed by New Zealand, ending up in Asia and India. It was an amazing experience, but I had no idea that I would contract Lyme disease and have my life changed beyond recognition. It is because of my experience that I can empathise so whole-heartedly with Justin Timberlake, who has revealed his diagnosis. I can't exactly remember when I was bitten by a tick but, that May when I was in Thailand, I had a circular rash over the back of my legs – it wasn't painful or itchy so I put it down to an allergic reaction and carried on. But in India six months later, I fell ill with digestive issues and excruciating pains in my legs. I couldn't stand, let alone walk, and I flew back to the UK. I didn't know what was happening to me – and being alone in a foreign country I was terrified. Although I was due to start a new job back home, I felt too poorly to work and I spent several weeks in bed with flu-like symptoms. I deteriorated, and spent the next few months in and out of hospital. I was kept in isolation for a while as medics initially thought I had contracted a tropical disease – after that it was a long road to being diagnosed with Lyme disease. In March of 2017, I was initially diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis, and I had several surgeries, including a hysterectomy. I thought my problems would be sorted. That was a year of treatment, and by the following spring my pain had hugely improved, but I was still battling a host of debilitating symptoms, including seizures, shortness of breath, migraines, and insomnia. Bites aren't always painful, so it's important to check your skin for ticks and bites after you've been outdoors The distinctive red rash associated with Lyme disease is circular and forms a pattern not unlike a bullseye Find out more I couldn't leave my flat, and I struggled to walk between rooms – my mum stayed with me throughout this time to look after me. I began to suffer from anxiety, OCD, panic attacks and depression. Between 2018 and 2020, I went back-and-forth to doctors, with none able to figure out what was wrong. My experiences were put down to the fact I was recovering from the surgeries I had and mental health issues – with one GP even telling me my symptoms were from loneliness because I lived on my own. But I knew something was seriously wrong. I could see the stark contrast in me between pre- and post-travels and – when I kept fighting for a diagnosis, it was my nutritionist Laila, who had helped me through my endometriosis, that raised the possibility of Lyme disease. She encouraged me to push for a different kind of diagnostic test; it eventually came back highly positive for Borrelia, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, an infection caught from the bite of an infected tick. That was in March 2020, shortly before the world shut down due to Covid. I was shocked but it was also a relief to know I wasn't crazy and there was a cause to my symptoms. I had been right all along. I felt validated. I can't even begin to express how powerful it was for someone to say they believed me. Had I been diagnosed straight away or known about the risk of Lyme Disease it would have been treatable with a few weeks of antibiotics. Instead, I've been housebound, largely bedbound, for nine years and use a wheelchair for appointments. Lyme Disease when undiagnosed, or diagnosed as late as mine was, is notoriously difficult to treat, and can develop into Chronic Lyme Disease – also known as late stage Lyme Disease. Nine years on from that bite, I've still not reached remission. I have tried various treatments including oral antibiotics, five weeks of IV antibiotics, and have even tried alternative and herbal medicines. Lyme Disease has caused so much loss for me. I lost my career when I stopped working in January 2017, mine and my mum's savings were spent on private treatments, and my independence. I've lost most of my friends after being unable to see them, my social life, my self worth and confidence and my life as I knew it. But something that has really helped me, as well as my family support and counsellor, is finding a focus, which is something I stumbled on accidentally – writing poetry. I started writing one night when I was wide awake with insomnia and it was cathartic to see my thoughts just come out in a poem. I was encouraged by my mum and my counsellor to enter a UK competition – winning first place! Since then I have written countless poems – it's therapeutic to get thoughts out that I have difficulty expressing verbally. But I want to stop anyone else suffering like I have. I hope that more people become aware of what to do if they get bitten and know how to protect themselves from Lyme. More Trending There are several things you need to know like what a tick looks like, the type of rash you may get, and how to remove a tick. The best place to go for advice on all of this is the Lyme Disease UK website. Personally, while I have a long way to go, I hope one day I can reach remission like others that have been in my position and start to slowly rebuild the life that Lyme Disease has torn apart. View More » This article was fist published on July 13, 2023. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: The school special needs crisis that will impact every one of us MORE: Never heard of bruxism? You're probably suffering from it MORE: I played 'check-in chicken' and it backfired spectacularly – be careful Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
