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, November 27, 2008

Radiotherapy to the left side of pelvis

Had some radiotherapy to the left side of my pelvis today following my conversation with Dr Barrett a couple of weeks ago. Confusingly though, the pain is in my right side!

The radiotherapy itself doesn't hurt but there are many side effects that come with it and one I've been warned of is diarrhoea because the radiotherapy is to the pelvis area and it will irritate the bowls. Tiredness is also a large side effect.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Onc appointment plus I have a set of crutches

Annie gave me a lift to and from the hospital for my Oncology appointment today as I really can't drive.

Actually saw Dr Barrett today for the 2nd time this year. She thought I looked interestingly pale and said that my blood count was low and was therefore postponing my chemo this cycle. The white blood count was 2.78 which is low but she was more concerned with the neutrifils which were 1.37. She said this would be why I was looking pale and feeling ill and probably why I have an ulcerated tongue. She's going to organise some more radiotherapy to the whole of the pelvis and then sent me on my way to the chemo ward.

On my way upstairs I bumped into Kate, the chemo ward sister who was concerned about the way I was walking (or rather limping). I explained my situation and she asked if anyone had referred me to the physio dept to which I said no. "Right she said, leave it with me for 5 mins and I'll see you upstairs shortly". As it turns out, she rang the Physio dept and they said get a referral letter from my Onc and then send me over there today. Talk about immediate action. Kate is fantastic and I now have a set of crutches which have made all the difference.

The only disappointing part of today was the fact that my MRI report was not available. The scan pictures were but not a report so Dr Barrett is chasing and I may get them next week.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I can't walk

I'm in so much pain in my right leg that I can't walk. I had to call in sick at work yesterday and today but resting it doesn't seem to have any affect. The District Nurse was coming to see me today to put my line in for treatment tomorrow and she was concerned with how ill I was feeling. She said she would put a call in for my GP to do a home visit. Just as well because I can't drive. Fortunately I have such kind friends who've been taking Freddie to school and collecting him for me.

The GP arrived late afternoon and assessed the pain. She's decided to up my pain relief and try some Oramorph which is a morphine based liquid. She's also given me a written note to give to my Oncologist tomorrow as she feels this is too much for me to deal with and thinks some more radiotherapy is required.

The pain is so dabilitating and it is getting me down.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Right leg pain and ulcerated tongue

I must be really run down because I've got an ulcerated tongue and it is so painful. I tried to attend the out of hours Dr's service on Saturday but the waiting time was so long that I said I'd have to return the next day even though I was in a lot of pain. I've also started getting a lot of pain in my right leg which is unusual seeing as the tumour which usually gives me problems is in my left hip.

Today I managed to see a doctor and he thought that the chemo that I'm currently taking was causing the ulcerated tongue and prescribed me some pellets to dissolve on the ulcers. Unfortunately the ulcers are on the side of my tongue and so I've got to hold them in place. Not the easiest thing to do! I didn't mention my leg problem as I thought it was too complicated!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

MRI Scan

Had an MRI scan to the abdomen today but won't know the results for at least a week which will coincide with my next clinic appointment at the Berks.

Got a reply from Dr Draczynski regarding the scan results and he would like to wait for the results from the MRI before giving his overall opinion but was quite pleased with the results so far.

Monday, November 10, 2008

X-Ray to the Pelvis

Went for an x-ray to the Pelvis on 3/11/08 and got the results from the GP today which reads as follows:

Extensive sclerotic changes seen throughout the bony pelvis and proximal femora consistent with metastatic infiltration. Of note is an incomplete undisplaced transverse fracture through the medial aspect of the left ilium extending to the inferior aspect of the SI joint.

Undisplaced fracture of the left inferior pubic ramus is also noted.

According to the above report the bone mets have spread in the pelvis and are now affecting my pubic bone, so not only have I got a large tumour in the left hip but it is also spreading down my leg and through the pelvis.

I chatted with my GP at some length regarding pain relief as I've been in quite a lot of pain with my back. She's prescribed some different pain killers as I felt that the Tramadol were just making me too dizzy.

I've scanned the results from the x-ray and the CT scan from 16/10/08 and emailed them to the Leonardis Klinik.