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.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish all family, friends and well wishers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hopefully 2008 will be a better year although having said that, it's not going to get off to a good start with the start of chemo in January.

Anyway, I hope I have replied to all those emails sent and if for some reason you haven't had a reply then I haven't received your email. Please try again because I do really appreciate all the emails of encouragement that I have received. It really does give me and the family a real boost.

Best wishes to All.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Caversham AFC Christmas Donation

Steve received a phone call from Dave Renshaw of Caversham AFC saying that the football club which Ellie and Freddie are members, have decided that the money normally spent on Christmas cards and stamps this year be donated to a charity instead. The Executive Committee have therefore decided that the Club will donate the funds to Wigs to Wishes.

Dave came round with the cheque this evening. Wow! This is a very generous contribution and on behalf of myself, Steve, Matt, Ellie and Freddie, we are very grateful.

This has come at a very crucial time considering the results of my recent liver ultrasound and the possiblity of further treatment in Germany.

Thanks to everyone for all your recent donations.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Liver Ultrasound Results

Not good news I'm afraid! Not only has the original lesion grown double in size but there are two additional lesions on the liver also. The original lesion measures 3.5 x 2.5 x 2.7 cm, the second lesion measures 2.7 x 1.3 cm and the third is approximately 9mm. The report findings suggest that they are metastatic deposits. In other words, the cancer has spread to my liver. As you can imagine I'm gutted. I suppose I was expecting the original lesion to be something but was quite shocked when the Registrar said there were 2 further spots on the liver.

Where do we go from here? As my Oncologist was not in clinic again today (didn't see her the last visit either), her Registrar said that it would be chemo again and suggested one of two, either Carboplatin or Cisplatin but he would have to confirm this with my regular Onc on Friday when she was next in clinic.

On the bright side, the Registrar confirmed that I have been given funding for the two treatments that Germany had suggested, Avastin and Faslodex, so this is good news although I believe that there are quite a few side effects with the Avastin. I have read various reports that say people are just not getting the funding for Avastin so I have to think myself very lucky. However, the funding will be reviewed after 3 months.

I have emailed Germany with the new information regarding my liver to see what they think.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Charity Christmas Lunch Grand Total

Carly Burn came round this evening with an envelope full of cheques from the Festive lunch that she and many others organised last week. They raised a total of £1,065. Absolutely fantastic. I was really shocked and again really grateful for everyone's efforts.

Suffering with a chesty cough and generally feeling under the weather at the moment. I think all the stress of Christmas is taking its toll. I've even had to decline a few party invitations because I don't feel right and I know that it will take me a week to get over them.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Annual Xmas Tombola/Lucky Ribbon Game

Yesterday, a tombola was held in aid of my Wigs to Wishes fund at BBC Monitoring and a grand total of £175 was raised for which I am really grateful. All prizes were kindly contributed by staff and family members.

I would especially like to thank Christine Shaikh, Jill Wallace, Jan Campbell, Bernice Ellis and Wendy Hines for their continued help and support in organising this event.

Also, a big thank you to all Security and Reception staff at BBC Monitoring who contributed 6 bottles of Xmas Cheer for the Lucky Ribbon game which raised £81. Congratulations to Jason Fontaine for his win. My thanks also go to Julie Fontaine for this original idea.

Another thank you must go to Graham Lenton for making a contribution to my Wigs to Wishes fund instead of sending Christmas Cards.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Liver Ultrasound

Had the liver ultrasound today. The ultrasound nurse pressed and prodded and confirmed that the nodule on my liver has grown twice its size since the ultrasound in July at the RBH. She said that she is unable to say whether the nodule is cancerous or not and that they have to report all findings back to the Consultant for them to decide what action is necessary, which could be a biopsy. I did ask if she was able to give me any measurements of the nodule but unfortunately they are not allowed, only my Oncologist can supply those. Another waiting game. Luckily only a week because my next Oncology appointment is on Wednesday 19th.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Thanks to St Andrews Playgroup

Just wanted to post a thank you to St Andrew's playgroup for making a contribution towards my next trip by holding a coffee/shopping morning.

Liz Gilbertson who runs the playgroup has been a friend for many years. Matthew and Ellie both attended the playgroup from 1995 and 98 respectively.

Once again thanks very much to everyone involved.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Charity Christmas Lunch

I was invited to a charity Christmas lunch today at Liz Hicks' house for my Wigs to Wishes fund. It was organised by Renee Tyrell, Tracey Hart, Sue Darcy, Liz Hicks, Carly Burn, Maria and Linda.


Around 30 ladies paid to attend the lunch and we had waitress service by all the lovely organisers plus Jess Tyrell who did a wonderful job of taking photos for me. It was a fantastic idea and a good time was had by all on a sunny winter's day.


I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in organising and cooking, especially Liz Hicks for hosting the event in her lovely house and to those who attended.


I have to say that I did get a bit emotional when I first arrived. I'm always so grateful to people for their fund raising efforts and ideas and the fact that they did all this for me.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Caversham Ball charity donation

Ruby North, who is a friend of ours contacted me to say that she has a friend called Carey who is on the Caversham Ball committee. Ruby mentioned my Wigs to Wishes fund and Carey said that there maybe a chance of a donation to the fund. Fingers crossed. A few members of the committee had also watched the Mummy Diaries.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Feeling a little under the weather

I haven't been feeling too good for the last few days. I'm sure it's not related to the cancer but more to do with all the viruses that are flying around at the moment. I was lying in bed this morning and Freddie came in and said he didn't feel well either. He said he thinks he's got what I've got!! I had to laugh bless him, he still went to school though and I stayed in bed!!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Sponsorship Mail Shot

With the help of Jill Wallace and Wendy Hines, we have been sending out letters to various companies in the area asking if they can help with fund raising.

I've had 3 replies so far, two of which have not been able to help but I just wanted to say thanks to Thomson Directories who have very kindly made a contribution.