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.
German Oncologist Agrees to stop Chemo
Received a reply from Dr Jacob at the Leonardis. She agrees with the UK Oncologist that I should stop the Chemo (Xeloda) after Cycle 7 which I am due to finish on Friday 12th May. I'm flying out to Germany on 11 June for a bone scan so will be able to have a chat with Dr Jacob about my future treatment.
Possibly stopping chemo
Oncology clinic appointment and treatment with Herceptin and Pamidronate today. The Oncologist has mentioned that she may be stopping the chemo Capecitabine after this cycle as my blood counts have been severely affected by it. She is taking into account the fact that I have had to have longer rests between cycles and lower dosages. She said that if I was to carry on with the chemo indefinitely, there was a significant chance that my body would give up as the chemo is attacking the bone marrow. I asked where this left me and she said that I would not receive any more chemo for a while, possibly 6-12 months unless the cancer showed signs of spreading with a vengeance, then she would consider giving me another chemo. If the cancer showed no signs of returning, then possibly she would continue with Capecitabine at a later date. She is happy to carry on with the Herceptin and also the Pamidronate if my calcium levels are okay.
I feel a little worried about this latest development as Dr Jacob in Germany has not mentioned that I would be stopping the chemo. I assumed I would carry on with the chemo until I was in remission, so I think I need to contact Dr Jacob and inform her of what has been said and take her advice.
One of the Oncology nurses is organising the insertion of a Portacath for me. I asked about it on my last visit to the Oncology clinic and it was decided that it would be a good idea. It is to replace the PICC line that I have in my arm and it will give me more freedom and enable me to start swimming. I’m really conscious of the fact that my weight has increased considerably since the start of this treatment. I have been told not to do any strenuous exercises at the moment while the cancer is active, but swimming and walking would be okay.
Ricochet TV Production Company visit
Ricochet TV production company came to visit today to have a chat about us taking part in a documentary that they are producing for Channel 4. Just my luck that I felt really ill this morning so wasn’t exactly feeling my best when we were being interviewed. I received an email from the production company in March asking me if I would be interested in taking part in a documentary that is looking at the impact of cancer on family life when a mother becomes ill. The documentary is inspired by the manual Helen Harcombe left to her husband. The film will follow mums who have been diagnosed with advanced cancer living with the uncertainty that such a diagnosis implies.
Initially this was a daunting prospect knowing that our daily lives would be portrayed on screen but Amanda the producer was really nice and put us all at ease. It wasn’t long before Ellie and Freddie were performing to the camera. Initially the footage filmed today was going be shown to the Channel 4 producers only, but Amanda thought that she had got some good footage so it may find its way on to the documentary.
