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.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Bit of a kick in the teeth!

Had my usual clinic appointment today at the Berkshire Cancer Clinic before having my chemo and pamidronate. Discussed Dr Draczynski's recommendations with my Oncologist and gave her a copy. She didn't appear to be at all happy and went off on one when I said that Germany were stressing how important it was to carry out tumour marker tests. The Onc responded by saying that they don't do them routinely here because they prefer to use clinical signs for any changes such as scans and patient comments. (Oh yeah right, like I did in Oct 2004 when I saw the Onc and said that my back was hurting and I could hardly walk. She didn't suggest any urgent tests and just said see you in a year's time!! 3 months later the MRI scan found the cancer!!)

She then went on to say that we have to remember who is administering my treatment and that she has been very accepting and accommodating of Germany's advice as much as possible even though she may not agree with some of it. She went on to say that we may get to a point when she won't agree and will say no. As usual her manner was very brusque and I felt really upset.

To add to this, we discussed changing over to Bondronat and the Onc then dropped the bombshell that it isn't quite that straightforward. I can only have Bondronat if my GP will prescribe it as it is not available on the NHS. What!! I couldn't believe this, the first time it was mentioned that I would have to stop the Pamidronate was 13/10/06, not once did they mention that my GP would have to fund the Bondronat. If they don't fund it, I have to have a less effective drug call Clodronate which is funded by the NHS. Are they now putting my health at risk because they want to save some money? I have since spoken to someone who has been on Pamidronate for 3 years without any complications so why can't I continue?

Bloody hospital budgets, they make you sick (literally!!!)

posted by Dawn  

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home