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, February 27, 2008

Started Avastin

Had my regular appointment at the Berks today and met with Dr Chadwick as Dr Barratt has broken her leg skiing!

I mentioned that the German Oncologist had suggested Xeloda rather than Cisplatin and he took this onboard. He did mention that he had suggested Cisplatin because I had already had a number of other chemos (hope I'm not running out of options here!) and also thought that Xeloda did cause me a few issues with the hand and foot syndrome. I said that I was willing to give it another go especially as I had already had it in the past and did not consider it to be one of the worst chemo's I had had, unlike the Taxotere I had 3 years ago which made me very sick. The other advantage of Xeloda is that it is tablet form.

I had quite a long wait this morning before starting the Avastin but all went well and no side effects at the time. Also had my usual Pamidronate so I was at the hospital for nearly 6 hours!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Sarah ran the Goring 10K

Well done to Sarah Hurn for running in the Goring 10K to raise funds for the Wigs to Wishes fund. I'm sure it was no easy task as it is a notoriously hilly route. I would also like to thank all those that sponsored Sarah. I'm just so grateful to people for keeping the fund raising going because without you I don't know that I would still be here today!

Freddie, my 8 year old often asks if the cancer has now gone away following treatments. It's very disappointing for him when I have to say that it hasn't and that I have to keep on fighting but at least I'm still here to tell him!!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Avastin and Chemo

Spoke with Dr Draczynski and Dr Kopic at the Leonardis klinik today and confirmed that the UK Oncologist had agreed to fund Avastin for at least three months. They were pleased but asked which chemo I would be having with it. I said that originally the UK Oncologist had suggested Cisplatin but they thought that this would be too toxic and thought that Capecitabine (Xeloda) would be a better chemo to try. I have had Xeloda in the past and did tend to get the hand and foot syndrome with it but would be willing to give it another try if Reading were agreeable as I did tolerate this chemo better than I have others. I don't think that I had any spread of cancer whilst on the Xeloda chemo.

I left it that I would speak with my UK Oncologist at my next appointment on 27th Feb, when I was due to start the Avastin.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

On a right downer!

In the last few months since the liver diagnosis I have been feeling quite low and thinking more and more about dying. I have started preparing in someways, writing letters, collecting memorabelia for the children, thinking about my funeral. I know people won't want me thinking this way but it is very difficult when faced with such a horrible disease as cancer. There are so many stories of people not making it and I just feel like I'm heading that way sooner rather than later.

Can't remember ever feeling this low and I'm sure I will pick up but I think as I felt ill during December and January with various viruses it has just knocked the stuffing out of me.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

BMW Charity Donation

Following the mailshot letters that went out in December (see 1/12/07 post), I have now received another donation from the BMW Group. Thanks.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Pain has gone in my back

I saw Les last night (Pranic Healer) and following my session with him, the pain in my back has finally gone. Also the pain in my groin has eased off also. Thank goodness for that because my back was really painful and I was finding it hard to carry on normally. Even driving the car was awkward.

Monday, February 04, 2008

3 years since diagnosis

It's been 3 years since my secondary diagnosis. Things have obviously progressed since that time but I could be in a worse position or even not be here. Is Dr Barrett right about her prognosis (18mths - 5 years)? The fight is getting harder now that it has spread to my liver.