Jean Murphy was denied Sutent - a drug which could prolong her life - again last week despite a judge ordering Salford health bosses to reconsider her case.
Mrs Murphy, 62, from Salford, suffers from kidney cancer and has been told she has less than two years to live.
But an expert said the drug would shrink her tumour and probably extend her life by up to six months.
She was admitted to the Christie Hospital after her doctor, who supports her drugs battle, found lung problems at a routine appointment.
Her daughter Cathy Ostask, who asked for the picture of her using an oxygen mask to be published, said: "It is heartbreaking to see my mum going downhill fast when she could be getting treatment. She has fought so hard but this latest decision has hit her hard.
"I want the people at Salford PCT, who are saying her case is not exceptional enough to need this drug, to see what fighting their system has done to her.
"She wants to live so much and it is so unfair that she will miss out on months of life because of where she lives."
Mrs Murphy, who is in constant pain and uses a wheelchair, travelled to London by coach to attend court. She is determined to fight the postcode lottery which means Sutent is available in Cheshire and Merseyside but is rarely prescribed in Greater Manchester.
She was due to attend an appeal at Salford PCT in the next few days but may miss it unless her health improves.
Her family have written to Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson asking them to intervene.
Salford MP and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears this week urged the government's own watchdog for health service spending to speed up a review on whether the drug is cost effective and to issue national guidance.
Mrs Murphy's treatment would cost £3,500 a month. In 2006-07 the PCT had a surplus of almost £2m.
Thousands of people have signed a petition asking Salford PCT to change its mind. Tweet
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what a terrible country this is we would rather see someone in so much pain than to give something that can eleviate it!!
you work all your life in this country, you pay your taxes and national insurance, obey the law and bring up good children and what do you get.
This is absolutely diabolical.
The poor woman, it comes to something when you have to fight for the right to live
drug companies should bring their prices down which means the NHS will be able to buy more of what they sell, more people will be helped and more money into the pockets of the drug companies, then everyone is a winner, surely.
This is heartbreaking and I cannot imagine what her family is going through. To be told you cannot have a drug that will extend your life means they are signing her death warrant, looking at it another way they are taking her life, definition of taking a life is murder in my eyes and in others also. Any drug for any illness should be free, we all pay so much in our lives in National health insurance, why shouldn't we be entitled to the treatment we need when we need it.
Our Prayers are with you and your family Jean.
Totally disgusting the PCT should be ashamed! All the hard work of Jean's to try and lead a normal life, all the hard work of her loving family and all the hard work of the Consultants and their nursing team to try and help Jean and some pen pusher in a suit says no!!! what is this country coming to?
WHERE IS ALAN JOHNSON? HAS HE RETIRED? WHEN IS HE GOING TO HELP THIS POOR WOMAN INSTEAD OF JUST SITTING BACK AND WATCHING HER DIE. I HAVEN'T BEEN HAPPY WITH THE LABOUR COUNCILLOR'S AND MP'S FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW BUT THIS IS DEFINATELY THE LAST STRAW, BECAUSE THEY'VE DEFINATELY LOST MY VOTE AND EVERYONE SHOULD DO THE SAME. THEIR SITTING BACK AND LETTING THIS WOMAN DIE AND IT'S A DISGRACE. I HOPE BLEARS READS THIS. GET LABOUR OUT. GOD BLESS YOU JEAN I AM SO SORRY FOR YOU AND IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD PAY FOR YOUR TREATMENT MYSELF. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
One of the most heartbreaking things about Jean's story is that the money spent on drugs to extend her life for 6 months could pay for a nurse who can care for others in her position for a whole year. The people who have to make these decisions must have many sleepless nights.
It is incredible how much this medication can cost when its real value to people is immeasurable. I hope Jean Murphy and her family don't give up their fight. She has more courage than most.