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.
Heart palpitations and chest pains
I've been getting heart palpitations for about a week and since Thursday have been getting chest pains which have got worse and yesterday it was very uncomfortable. It seems to be since I started the new tablets, Arcoxia and Actos. I've read the leaftlets which come with the drugs and it appears that the possible side effects of Arcoxia are heart palpitations and chest pains. Approximately 1 in 100 people suffer with these side effects.
I haven't taken today's tablet and this evening the pain isn't as bad. I also emailed the Leonardis Klinik this morning to get some advice but have not heard back from them yet.
My back is still hurting and I haven't been able to take ibuprofen because you can't take it with the Arcoxia which is also an anti-inflammatory tablet.
Giving advice re the Leonardis Klinik
Christine from the Leonardis Klinik contacted me last week and asked if I would chat to a prospective patient who lives in Canada. I was quite happy to do this and I received a call this evening.
I chatted to Roma and her husband John for just over an hour. They wanted to hear about my experience at the Leonardis Klinik, what it was like there and any advice that I thought would be useful for their trip next week.
I have nothing but praise for the Leonardis Klinik and was happy to chat about my experience and how positive they are. I hope I managed to dispel some of the worry regarding their trip.
Bad Back and cold
I've been suffering with a bad back over the last few days and now added to that I've got a cold so not feeling too good at the moment.
I think the bad back is due to the fact that following the liver operations when my stomach and liver area were hurting, I was over compensating by using more of my back muscles, especially when I was sneezing because it hurt so much.
Hopefully with the help of some pain relief it will eventually go.
Started the Arcoxia and Actos
At last, got the prescription signed and have now collected and started the new tablets.
Oncology appointment
Saw Dr Hahnewald again and said that my GP still hadn't received the letter of approval for the Actos and Arcoxia. She said that they are running a little behind with post!! Instead she printed off a new letter and signed it for me to personally deliver to my GP. At last!!
Dr Hahnewald confirmed the results from the liver ultrasound, that there was nothing to be found and said that was good news.
Started back on Avastin, collected my chemo tablets and also had pamidronate.
Still waiting for letter of approval
It's been over two weeks now and the GPs surgery still hasn't received the letter of consent for the Arcoxia and Actos. The RBH postal system is really slow!
