wigs to wishes.org.uk

The “Dawn Hughes Wigs to Wishes Fund” has been set up to enable me to receive further treatment at an Oncology Clinic in Germany where they have had a high success rate in stopping the spread of Cancer in patients and giving them the best possible chance of remission. The Berkshire Cancer Centre have informed me that there is little chance of my Cancer going into remission with the treatment available in this country.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my website. I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself. I'm a wife and mother of 3 young children, Matthew 13, Ellie 10 and Freddie 6. I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2001 at the age of 36. Following Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, I was in remission until a chance MRI scan in Feb 2005 for an unrelated problem, detected that the Cancer had returned. I was then diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer. The likely prognosis given in February was 18 months to 5 years. I then had to undergo aggressive Chemotherapy, but following the results of a recent bone scan, it was found that the Cancer is still spreading. The treatment in Germany will cost thousands of pounds and for most people like myself, the opportunity for this is a dream. Many of my Family and Friends want to make this dream a reality and are making tremendous fund raising efforts, because without them, I would not be able to seek the treatment that I so obviously need and which is not being offered in this country.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Therapy Plan for next 3 months

Final meeting with Dr Jacob before flying home today. Dr Jacob has written another Therapy Plan for me to follow at home. It lists all the treatments I should be receiving including the dosage. Dr Jacob has also suggested two further supplements to add to the list. Those being Omega 3 and Shark Cartilage. I should return in 3 months for another bone scan and then 6 months for a PET scan. My bone marrow will be checked towards the end of the year. She also mentioned that I should get tumour marker checks for MCA and TPA. (Never heard of these before but will have to ask the UK Onc.) Finally, I should also continue with the Thymoject injections for which they have given me a 3 month supply including syringes and needles because I have to inject these myself. I also asked her about continuing with the chemo and Samarium. She felt that it would be okay for me to do so but insisted that I get weekly blood counts to keep an eye.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Samarium has hit the mark!

Had a Bone scan today following Samarium treatment yesterday. This is to check that the Samarium has hit the right areas. Dr Kock was happy with the results and was confident that the Samarium would have some affect on the tumours.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

5th visit to Leonardis Klinik

Flew out to Germany yesterday and had Samarium treatment today. Felt a little woozy but not too bad. Had a chat with Dr Jacob this afternoon. Mentioned the problems I was having with my fingers and feet. She said my eyes also. I have been having problems with my eyes recently but just put that down to being over tired. She said this was most definitely a side effect of the chemo. She has suggested reducing the chemo (capecitabine) to 1000mg in the morning and 1000mg in the evening (currently taking 1800 in the morning and 1800 in the evening) and have a 10 day break in between cycles. She said she does not want to change the treatment regime at the moment, and said “we should continue to back the winning horse”. While things appear to be improving, she does not think it wise to make any changes apart from reducing the chemo dosage. She feels it is better to be able to carry on with the chemo at a lower dosage with fewer side effects than continue at a higher dosage and then have to discontinue through intolerance.

The chemo sensitivity test showed that there were other chemos that would help but she does not want to change the regime at the moment because it appears to be working well. The other chemos would be used if it was found that the current regime had stopped working.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Onc does not recommend chemo and Samarium

Contacted the Berkshire Cancer Clinic and was told that Oncologist would not recommend chemo and Samarium together because of the risk of neutropenia, but said the choice was mine. Will speak with Dr Jacob at the Leonardis Klinik to get her advice.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Generosity and Clinic Appointment

Amy’s Clearance Service. I just wanted to mention how kind, supportive and generous so many people have been during my crusade to raise money for my treatment. There are so many people that I would like to thank and haven’t mentioned along the way. Yesterday I rang Amy’s Clearance Service to organise the removal of some patio doors. Mr Scicluna came out and gave me a quote and said he could do it today so he turned up this morning and took the patio doors and a few other bits and bobs. When I came to give him the payment he asked me if I was the lady raising money for treatment abroad. He had seen my article in the Evening Post last week and had been thinking of contacting me to make a donation. He asked me to put the payment for that morning’s work into my fund. I thought that was a really nice gesture.

Cancer Clinic appointment. My Oncologist was not available today, so saw her Registrar instead. Discussed the problems with my fingers and the Registrar has suggested that I have a further week’s break from the chemo and increase the Pyridoxine (which I don’t think does much). Also informed him that I would be flying out to Germany again next week to receive Samarium. I mentioned that I had been informed by my Oncologist that she didn’t think it was a good idea to be taking chemo after I had received Samarium. The Registrar said that he would speak with her on Monday and that I should contact the clinic to get her advice. Had the usual Herceptin and Pamidronate today. White blood count also quite good (4.35).