A young Barbadian battling an aggressive form of blood cancer has begun what doctors expect to be the most critical phase of her treatment, with her father describing the coming weeks as pivotal to her chances of recovery.
Noi Jemmott is now in Colombia beginning urgent chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a fast-moving blood cancer, as her family prepares for what is expected to be the most difficult month of her recovery journey.
Her father, Janson Jemmott, told Barbados TODAY on Thursday that doctors had already run initial tests to assess her condition and that treatment had now begun in earnest.
“The first couple of days they were running tests to make sure that the diagnosis was correct, and to find the best course of action to deal with the diagnosis,” he said. “As of yesterday, they have started treatment – she has started chemo – and that will run for the first month. It’s gonna be the most intense month.”
Jemmott explained that doctors are moving swiftly with a treatment plan designed to give Noi the best possible chance at recovery. As part of that process, she was scheduled to undergo a minor procedure to insert a catheter in her chest for chemotherapy administration, along with a spinal tap to determine whether the leukaemia had spread to her brain.
Despite the seriousness of her condition and the intensity of the treatment ahead, his daughter’s spirit remains remarkably strong, he said.
“I video called her earlier this morning and she was smiling,” he said. “I tell her keep your smile. So that is comforting – very comforting – when I call her and I can see that she is still who she is. She is a very beautiful girl, very sweet girl.”
For Jemmott, the journey has been emotionally overwhelming, not only because of his daughter’s diagnosis but also because of the extraordinary outpouring of support from people across Barbados.
“Each time I get a call from some person, it’s extremely emotional for me,” he said. “You live in a world where there’s so much negative stuff going on, but when something like this happens, you can see the positive feedback from people.”
The barber said donations – whether large or small – have carried a significance far beyond money.
“The people that donated $5 – that might have been that person’s last $5 – but they still donated,” he said. “To feel the love from people that I don’t even know, it’s very overwhelming. In this day where so much negatives are going on, people need something positive to hold on to.”
Looking ahead, Jemmott is holding firmly to hope, praying that his daughter’s treatment will be successful and that she can soon return home to continue the life she had been building.
“Best case scenario, I’m hoping that in six months, my daughter should be back in Barbados. Worst-case scenario, we could have this fight going on for almost one year. But I’m hoping that’s not the case. I want my daughter back… I miss her.”
He spoke candidly about the heavy emotional toll the diagnosis had taken on Noi, revealing that she recently broke down in tears for the first time since learning of her illness — a moment that deeply affected him as a father.
Still, even in those difficult moments, he said her strength has shone through.
“She has been very strong,” he said. “I really admire her.”
He also shared that he will soon travel to Colombia to be with her and personally cut her hair in preparation for the intensive chemotherapy, which often causes significant hair loss.
For Jemmott, every contribution made towards Noi’s treatment represents something greater than financial assistance.
“Each donation I see as hope – not as dollars,” he said. “I know it’s going on account as dollars, but I see hope. I just want to thank everyone that has supported so far. Each call is very emotional. It has made me feel like, yes, there’s still hope.”
Those interested in donating can visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-noi-jemmott-fly-to-colombia-for-lifesaving-treatment. Additionally, persons can also donate to the CIBC account number #1001282704, or use First Pay to cathyallman@gmail.com.
(SB)
The post Dad: ‘Most intense month’ as Noi begins cancer treatment appeared first on Barbados Today.
