Plymouth Woman Embraces Life with Heartfelt Final Wish List

At just 30 years old, Aimee Sumner from Plymouth received a devastating diagnosis: stage four cancer. Seven years later, she has been given four to six months to live. Rather than succumbing to despair, Aimee is focused on making every remaining moment meaningful. “I want quality over quantity,” she states, emphasizing her desire to enjoy the time she has left instead of suffering through it.

Aimee’s journey is not merely one of tragedy; it is a powerful narrative of choice, love, and resilience. Diagnosed in April 2018 with Primary Peritoneal Cancer, an aggressive and rare form of the disease, she has bravely faced the relentless challenges of chemotherapy and life-altering surgery. The loss of her mother to cancer merely six months after her own diagnosis has only added to the emotional weight of her struggle.

“I felt so lost,” Aimee recalls, reflecting on the initial shock of her diagnosis. “It was awful. My mum had just been diagnosed two months before me. She didn’t even make it six months. It was a double whammy for my dad.”

Despite the harrowing reality of her condition, Aimee has chosen not to let her illness define her. After a difficult first round of chemotherapy, she underwent major debulking surgery in April 2019, which included a full hysterectomy. This procedure, she acknowledges, “took the chance of becoming a mother away.” Though her cancer stabilized for three and a half years, it returned aggressively in April 2024, leading to a grim prognosis.

With the return of cancer, doctors confirmed it spread to her stomach by August. They offered two options: four to six months without further treatment or a potential twelve months with a new medication, though the latter would come with debilitating side effects. Aimee made a decisive choice. “Half that time would be spent feeling unwell anyway,” she explains. “I want to make the most of the time I have left with Dan,” her husband.

The couple, who met through a penpal website, share a bond strengthened by love and loyalty. “We were just looking to make friends,” Aimee shares, noting how Dan has been her steadfast support throughout her journey. They navigate their emotions together, often finding solace in nature, such as at Mountbatten, to clear their heads.

Aimee’s daily life is now dictated by her health challenges. She openly discusses her struggles, stating, “I do feel nauseous a lot, there’s some pain, and I’ve got a syringe driver now to manage the medication.” Yet, amid these challenges, she manages to find gratitude. “Some days it’s hard to stay positive,” she acknowledges, “but then I try to remember what I’m grateful for. I’ve had love. I’ve got Dan.”

Her candid approach to living with a terminal diagnosis extends to raising awareness about cancer. Aimee stresses the importance of seeking medical attention for any symptoms, advising, “If you get any symptoms—bleeding, pain—get checked. Even if it seems small. The sooner you catch it, the better chance you have.”

In response to her situation, Aimee launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund her modest bucket list and assist with future funeral expenses. “I’ve got eight wishes on there,” she details, having already completed four. Among her experiences are meeting her favorite band, Blue, with her best friend, attending a performance of The Dreamboys, gifting flowers to a stranger, and visiting an aquarium.

Her next wishes include seeing JLS in concert and meeting Highland cows at Willow Tree Farm in Somerset. Aimee has even planned to donate a giant plush Highland cow to the children’s ward at Derriford Hospital, demonstrating her desire to give back. “It’s part of my bucket list, too. I want to give back. It’s not just about me.”

The support from her community has been overwhelming. “I don’t even know who donated some of the amounts on the fundraiser, but it means the world to me,” she expresses. “Just knowing that people chose me, that they wanted to help—it gives me the motivation to do these things.”

While Aimee is aware of her limited time, she approaches it with clarity and a sense of humor. “I didn’t have dying early on my bingo card this year,” she admits. “But that’s how it is. So now we’re planning for a birthday, a Christmas, and our wedding anniversary all in one.”

As she reflects on her legacy, Aimee offers practical advice for others: “Keep an eye on your body. No matter how small the symptom seems—check it. Weekly, if you can. That time might buy you more life. It might even save it.”

To those newly diagnosed, she provides reassurance: “If you’re struggling, talk to someone. It’s the best thing you can do. And speak to your doctors and Macmillan—they’ve been fantastic. You don’t have to go through it alone.”

Aimee Sumner may be facing the unimaginable, but she exemplifies how to make every moment count. With resilience and an open heart, she inspires others to live fully amid uncertainty. “I’m just one person,” she reflects. “But I’m lucky to have the friends and family I do. We’re booking more things in. We’re going to enjoy the time we’ve got left.”

To support Aimee’s journey, visit her GoFundMe page.