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, September 28, 2007

Shock News

Spoke to the Leonardis Klinik today to organise my next visit and was disappointed to find out that Dr Jacob has left the practice. I'm devastated but have been assured that my treatment will continue as usual.

I suppose you just get used to a relationship with someone and don't expect it to end so abruptly. I hope that this does not change anything and I continue to benefit from the treatments and advice at the Leonardis Klinik.

I have arranged my next visit for Wednesday 17th October when I shall be having a bone scan.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Documentary Changes/More Filming

Just when we thought Ricochet had finished filming, Amanda (documentary director) rang me to say that Channel 4 wanted to change the structure of the documentary slightly including more footage of us. Were we available on Monday for further filming? They want Julie Stokes to come back and chat with me and the children and also if possible visit Ellie's secondary school and chat to a teacher about how important it is for children to have the support at school as well as home when a family member has cancer or has lost a loved one .

I'm fine but it's quite short notice for the school so don't know if they will agree.

Julie Stokes of Winstons Wish (http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/) called me this evening to talk through what they would like to achieve with the school on Monday if they agree. She wondered if I could ask Ellie if there was a teacher that she feels has been helpful or supportive in recent months. Ellie suggested her History teacher who had taken her aside one day to say that if there was anything that she could do she would be there for Ellie.

Julie's going to contact the school tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Giving more blood samples

I've been asked to supply more blood samples to a German laboratory for the Haelan 951 trial that I am participating in. The last set of samples were sent in June, (which I haven't heard about the results yet!) and now they want me to do some more. When I sent the last set of samples, the Leonardis Klinik had supplied me with containers to put the blood vials in but this time I don't have any so I have asked if I can supply the blood on my next trip to the Leonardis Klinik in October. Still waiting for a reply to find out if this is suitable.

I am now on approximately bottle 89, it is still as disgusting as the first bottle but I am persevering with it. I really don't know if it is doing any good or not. Yes I've been feeling preety good lately, but, I haven't been on any chemo since May. My hip has been giving me quite a bit of pain and is constantly aching but I haven't been reaching for the paracetamol too much yet. The true effect will be revealed when I have the bone scan in October. Fingers crossed because I really don't want to go back on chemo and equally I don't really want to have to spend £2,000 per month on Avastin or Tykerb because I can't get it on the NHS. I shall have to wait and see what Dr Jacob at the Leonardis Klinik proposes to do next.

Avastin is not a chemo drug, see link for description: http://www.avastin.com/avastin/index.jsp?hl=en&q=Avastin&meta=

About Tykerb: http://www.tykerb.com/about.html

Friday, September 07, 2007

Change of Plan with the Documentary

Amanda called today to cancel her visit on Monday with Julie Stokes. Channel 4 have decided to change how the documentary is to be televised. Originally it was 3 episodes with 2 families in each but now they want to change this. Not sure how so her visit and our viewing of the rough cut has been postponed.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Ricochet Visit

Amanda, the director of the Ricochet documentary came to see us today to do some last minute filming. She had an individual chat with me and Steve and took some footage of Matt.

She said that the transmission date for the documentary is scheduled for 8 November 2007. She was also hoping to visit us next week with Julie Stokes of Winston's Wishes to show us a rough cut of the documentary. As it stands at the moment there are 3 episodes. There are 5 families taking part and each episode will include 2 families although one of the families will appear twice.

It's a bit daunting and I'm not sure how we're going to feel until I see us in the documentary.

Link to Winston's Wish - http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/default.asp

Monday, September 03, 2007

Fund Raising 70's/80's Night

A fund raising event was held on Saturday 1st September to help boost the Wigs to Wishes funds. The event was a 70's/80's Disco with fancy dress optional. It was fun to see the different costumes on the night. Photos to be published soon!!

A raffle and auction were also held and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those companies and individuals who contributed towards the prizes.

In total we raised in excess of £2,000 and this would not have been possible without the kind generosity of those that attended the evening and those that helped organise the event. I would like to say a huge thank you to Wendy Hines who is always so instrumental in organising these type of fund raising events and also to Sue Hamilton for giving Wendy a helping hand.

Without this type of support, I know that I would not be able to visit the Leonardis Klinik in Germany and therefore receive the excellent care and treatment that is available in Europe but sadly lacking in our NHS hospitals.

Unfortunately it does boil down to money. There are treatments our there that could prolong the lives of Cancer sufferers, Avastin and Tykerb to name a few in my case, which I would like to try but the NHS have said that these are too expensive and they cannot afford to give to their patients. Many cancer patients in this country remain in the dark when it comes to their treatment because the UK Oncologists don't want them to know that there are other treatments available that could help but the NHS can't afford them. I'm sure they would have a riot on their hands if the patients really knew the truth!

So, thank you everyone that helps in one way or another to help me fight this dreadful disease.