Healthcare professionals expressed worries that an anti-vaccine mother convinced her daughter to avoid chemotherapy prior to her death fromcancerAt 23 years old, an inquest has been informed.
A Cambridge graduate and model named Paloma Shemirani passed away in July following her decision to forgo medical treatment for a manageable type of blood cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Paloma is the daughter of Kate Shemirani, a well-known anti-vaccine advocate who had her nursing license revoked in the UK in 2021 due to her radical anti-medical beliefs, such as advising against wearing masks and getting vaccinated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although she was initially told she had a good chance of surviving her illness, former MissBrightonFinalist Paloma passed away seven months following her diagnosis, having declined assistance.
An inquiry into her passing today was told that healthcare professionals expressed worries that Paloma might be affected by her mother's influence following her request to take time to consider chemotherapy.
A nurse who focuses on the care of teenagers and adults had planned to meet Paloma in the coming days due to 'unforeseen family matters and disruptions in the treatment'.
Nevertheless, Paloma had left the facility before the meeting took place.
Nurses also expressed worries regarding protection following a report that indicated there had been a record of 'physical abuse' between Paloma and her mother, leading the young woman to leave her family's residence, as revealed during the inquest.
Nevertheless, after Paloma's diagnosis and Mrs. Shemirani's visit to see her daughter in the hospital, the Cambridge graduate requested her mother to be her next of kin once more.
During the inquiry, Mrs. Shemirani questioned Paloma's physician about several issues, including whether she agreed to receive certain medications and why her daughter's blood test results were not provided to her directly.
Mrs. Shemirani informed the inquest court that she intended to obtain her daughter's medical records and present them to a "global health team" located in Italy, Iran, Mexico, and the United States.
While being questioned for more than an hour, Mrs Shemirani described herself as an "independent and skilled nurse practitioner," informing the coroner that she was "qualified" to talk about medical details.
However, the coroner, Catherine Wood, intervened to correct Mrs. Shemirani and informed the inquest that she had been suspended by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2021.
After receiving an hour and a half to pose questions to Dr. Mohan, Mrs. Shermirani was muted in the virtual courtroom when she kept talking beyond her allocated time.
Her son Gabriel was then given a chance to speak, starting with an apology for his mother's actions.
Paloma's twin stated, "I would like to begin by apologizing for my mother's discourteous behavior."
He proceeded to question Dr. Mohan whether she had personally observed any unified actions.
The physician stated to the inquiry: 'We couldn't establish any unity. There were multiple occasions where the mother mentioned she intended to use the power of attorney to represent Paloma and also expressed her desire to view the blood test results personally and to be the next of kin.'
In addition to the reported instances of physical abuse within the home.
The physician mentioned that she was worried Paloma had reconsidered her decision so quickly after returning home to review the treatment plan.
She said, "I was very worried because at the time in the hospital she hadn't refused chemotherapy, but a few days after leaving the hospital, she deteriorated within four or five days. I was quite upset about that."
Her choice was unexpected; I didn't think she would entirely refuse the treatment. I assumed she would reconsider and keep going with it.
Previously, during the inquest, Mrs Shemirani described her daughter's cancer as a 'claimed diagnosis' while debating with the coroner regarding the types of evidence to be considered at the Kent inquest.
Mrs. Shemirani, dressed in a lavender dress adorned with white flowers and her blonde hair neatly tied back in a bun, frequently interrupted the session to voice her opinions.
Paloma's two brothers and her ex-boyfriend have both publicly stated since her passing that she was pressured by her mother to decline medical treatment — a claim that their mother has refuted.
Paloma's twin brother Gabriel and ex-boyfriend Ander were present at Oakwood House in Maidstone.
Currently, Paloma's inquiry listened to haematology specialist Dr Mohan, who explained how the young woman was identified and how a treatment strategy was developed.
The coroner's court was informed that Paloma initially arrived at the emergency department on October 4, 2023, experiencing chest pain, a fever, and a swelling in her neck.
She was admitted on December 3 and scheduled for an urgent CT scan the following day.
A biopsy was also performed, and Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with a significant mass discovered near her sternum.
Although the consultant was questioned regarding radiology scans, Mrs. Shemirani exclaimed, "I would like to object," but the coroner informed her that she could not object to a witness statement.
Dr. Arunodaya Mohen stated that as part of a regular treatment regimen, Paloma was recommended to begin six rounds of chemotherapy, each spanning 14 days.
Steroids would also be administered, with radiotherapy and stents being evaluated at a later stage.
The physician mentioned the potential side effects of the therapy, which could have been administered either in a hospital or on an outpatient basis, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, alterations in nails, and the generation of 'tumour lives' that may release toxins and impact bodily chemicals.
Dr. Mohen stated, "Chemotherapy may impact fertility, so we provided Paloma with full fertility preservation options before she began her chemotherapy treatment."
We had a conversation about fertility and talked about referring to a specialized center. She was willing to proceed with fertility preservation, and we also discussed the PET scan.
At that moment, I don't believe I had any doubts [regarding her ability]. We discussed the management plan at that time, and it was during that discussion that we provided her with an 80 percent cure rate.
At this point, Paloma's cancer was classified as a stage one tumor, and because of her age and the spread of the illness, she had a favorable likelihood of recovery.
Her physician stated, "She was at very low risk and had an 80% chance of recovery, which is a very good success rate."
Following their initial meeting on December 22nd, Dr. Mohan reviewed possible treatment plans and the possibility of a PET scan with Paloma, who reportedly nodded in agreement.
However, the following day, Paloma seemed to have reconsidered and was looking into 'unconventional' methods of treatment.
The advisor mentioned that she was taken aback when Paloma stated she would not be proceeding with the treatment.
Dr. Mohan stated, "It was unforeseen that she would not proceed with the treatment."
She mentioned she hadn't decided yet and could potentially stop her treatment. I can't recall what alternative treatment she was considering, but it wasn't a standard one.
She refused to explain why she was concerned about the treatment, but I did question her, and my team was worried she might not proceed with the treatment.
Dr. Mohan mentioned that she had only spoken to Paloma's mother once on the phone and had not talked about Mrs. Shemirani being Paloma's legal representative.
She mentioned that Mrs. Shemirani had echoed Paloma's worries regarding the adverse effects of steroids and stated, "she was not satisfied with the PET scan."
Dr. Mohan stated, "I mentioned that we would inquire with Paloma about her preferences and if she chose this treatment, I would proceed accordingly."
At the time, we believed she was fully aware of what was happening. I didn't even want to speak to my mother because I didn't think it would be beneficial.
It is known that Paloma's father, Faramarz, also holds conspiracy theories, but he is divorced and resides apart from her mother. He was not present at today's hearing, either virtually or in person.
Gabriel and his brother Sebastian came forward last month, stating that their sister passed away after declining traditional chemotherapy.
The siblings mentioned that medical professionals provided Paloma with an 80% likelihood of survival, yet she declined the treatment due to influence from her mother, someone she had been striving to reconnect with.
They asserted that Kate, known as Kay, attempted to separate her only daughter from her family, boyfriend, and friends through Paloma, even sending messages claiming she was being 'abused' by her mother. Her mother denies these allegations.
Kate, who refers to herself as a "natural nurse" to her 80,000 followers on Elon Musk's X, supports "Gerson therapy" – the idea that a plant-based diet, natural juices, coffee enemas, and supplements can treat cancer.
Paloma was adhering to the Gerson therapy protocol when she experienced a cardiac arrest at her mother's residence.
She passed away a few days later after her life support was discontinued at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Before the start of the inquest today, Gabriel and his older brother Sebastian, 26, are urging for legal reforms to classify conspiracy theories as a form of coercive control.
They are advocating for change, believing that although Paloma is an adult, she was unable to refuse treatment because of pressure from her parents, who both promote conspiracy theories.
Before the inquest, Sebastian, who divides his time between Hong Kong and Georgia, said to The Sunday Times: "If an individual refuses cancer treatment for non-terminal cancer, that indicates they are not making appropriate choices."
The siblings are also advocating for it to be prohibited for individuals who are not qualified or registered to refer to themselves as 'doctors or nurses'.
The inquest continues.
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