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, April 22, 2009

CT Scan results - not such good news

Went for my Oncology appointment today and CT scan results. Unfortunately not good news. There has been disease progression in the liver and lung although the lung met is only marginally bigger than it was in comparison to the February CT scan. There appears to be 3 tumours in the liver measuring 39x32 mm, 19mm and 16mm. I was a little surprised by this news as I was obviously hoping that there was either no progression or the tumours had shrunk. I'm certainly disappointed but what can I do? I've got to keep a brave face for the kids.


My Oncologist has said that she would like to put chemo on hold for the next 4 weeks due to a low platelet count of 89. It has been this low in the past so not sure why stopping chemo due to that although it's obvious that the chemo isn't containing the spread of the disease (although it may be slowing it down). She has also said that in light of this new spread the PCT (Primary Care Trust) will probably not agree to me continuing with Avastin so I'll be having my last one tomorrow.


The Oncologist wants to see me in 4 weeks, but not at a chemo clinic so that we can have a good chat. In the meantime, I've emailed the Leonardis Klinik with a copy of my scan results and I await to find out what their recommendations may be.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Feeling better

Since the blood tranfusions last week, I've been feeling much better. Certainly more energy so I'm able to do the housework and shopping. (How exciting!!) I should have been having chemo today but have postponed it another week which should also make me feel better.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

CT Scan

Had a CT scan this evening at 7.30pm. I had to drink the white chalky liquid and then when I went in for the scan they couldn't initially get a line in for the dye to be injected but eventually did.

I won't be getting the results for a couple of weeks when it's my next clinic appointment plus it Easter Bank Holiday weekend tomorrow so there's no one around to process the results until next Tuesday anyway.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Blood Transfusions at Sue Ryder

I've just spent the last two days at Sue Ryder having a blood transfusion. Four units to be exact. Two yesterday and two today, they each take 3 hours so they wanted me to stay overnight yesterday. It's typical really because I've postponed my next chemo so that I can spend some quality time with the kids in the Easter holidays and then I end up being away for two days.

Anyway, I'm home now and feeling better for it. I hope my energy increases and lasts until the next chemo in two weeks. I see a pattern forming and that this particular chemo regime affects my haemoglobin and therefore I'm so fatigued that I find it hard even going up the stairs without being out of breath and having to take a rest before doing anything!

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Feeling really bad

Everytime I walk up the stairs I'm totally out of breath and have to sit down and rest. It's a real pain. Everything hurts when I move, legs, body, arms. I suppose I'm expecting a miracle after the blood transfusion on Monday.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Low Haemoglobin

My Haemoglobin has dropped to 8.0 from 10.9 last week. That's a dramatic drop in just a week and no wonder I've been feeling so bad. Carol's had to put my line back in to take more blood for a cross match for another blood transfusion which I'm going to have at Sue Ryder next week. I expect I would have to wait too long to get a bed at the Berks.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Fatigue

I can't believe how tired I've been for the last 5 days. I seem to have slept loads during the day and still am able to sleep okay at night. It's not right and I'm not sure why I'm so tired but I don't seem to be improving even though I've slept so much recently. I've also been feeling quite ill with it too and I'm feeling weak, I've got bad muscle pains in my back and I can hear my heart pounding in my ears. I've also been suffering with headaches.

I rang my District Nurse today and she's been to take a blood sample because my haemoglobin could be low again.