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, July 21, 2006

Summer Session BBQ Fund Raiser

A BBQ fund raiser was held in aid of Wigs to Wishes this evening with live music by the Banana Republicans with a special appearance by Amy on the Saxophone. A great time was had by all. My thanks must go to all the band members (Graham, Matthew, Neil and Clive) for their excellent entertainment especially their cover of "Baker Street". It was fantastic. Thanks also to Paul and Karyna for manning the BBQ and Vicky and Wendy for organising the whole event. A special thank you must go to Martin Fitzpatrick who donated the Nano i-Pod for the raffle. Last but not least everyone that attended and made the evening such a success. Photos of the evening can be found on my Wigs to Wishes photo website.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

I'm not happy

I've had a few problems this week with the wound following the op on Monday. I think I over stretched my arm on Tuesday and split some of the internal stitches as it was bleeding. The "Port" Nurse came to visit today to change the dressing on my arm and she was not happy when she looked at the wounds especially as one of them was quite painful. She also had a list of instructions on how to care for the wounds including the fact that I was not able to swim for at least 3 days into the holiday and was not allowed to swim in the sea. I was quite upset because I had been telling them for months that I was going on a family holiday and that I wanted to be able to swim without any restrictions and they were telling me all along that it would be okay but yet as soon as I've had the op they've imposed a list of instructions and restrictions. I was not happy but what could I do?

Monday, July 17, 2006

Minor Op - Port

Had a minor op today to put the port in my arm to enable me to have infusions regularly. This is to replace the PICC line. I felt quite restricted with the PICC line because I had to wear a sleeve in the shower and was unable to go swimming whereas the port in my arm is under the skin.

I was completely wiped out when I got home this afternoon and went directly to bed for the rest of the day.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Date for Port insertion

Finally got a date for the insertion of the Port into my arm, Monday 17th July at 1pm. I'm only being sedated so don't envisage many side effects other than being a little groggy for a few days. Apparently I'll have a bandage over the stiches for a week which means that I'll have to take it off when I'm on our family holiday to Cyprus. Hopefully there won't be any complications as I don't fancy a trip to the local Cypriot hospital!

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Trip to Brighton for Ricochet

Spent the weekend in Brighton to do some filming for the Ricochet documentary. We went to a lovely hotel in Lewes on the Sunday and met the other 4 families involved in the documentary. All the mum's of the families have terminal cancer but not one of us has the same diagnosis. It was really nice to be able to speak with other people in a similar situation who truly understood what I am going through, although we do all have different ways of coping with it.

The day was set up primarily for the filming but also to give all the families a chance to meet. The children were taken off to take part in some sporting and arty activities whilst the adults had time to chat before we were divided off into male and female groups. This was when we all had a chance to really talk about the cancer and how it is affecting us emotionally and physically.

All the children got on so well and had a right laugh, especially when they had the water fight. Even the staff from Ricochet were joining in and poor Julie from Winston's Wish got a right earful. I would just like to mention Tan and Hannah who were running round like blue a**e flies trying to make sure everything went according to plan, Amanda, the director who is heavily pregnant but still managed the whole day in the blistering hot sun. They're all great guys as are the technical crew with the lighting and sound and cameras. I've felt really comfortable with them around and feel that they are dealing with this difficult subject with compassion and with such sensitivity. I'm sure that it will be a wonderful film and something that we were really pleased to take part in.