A Message from Melanie

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this website, on behalf of my Mum Jackie. Shortly after her 50^th Birthday she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This all came to us as a family as a terrible shock.

She is certainly a fighter and refuses to give up, trying her utmost to stave off the disease with an array of natural and alternative therapies. We need your donations to help fund these treatments.  

Jackie's Story

(Short version!)

In November 2012 my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  I was told that there was no cure but that I would receive treatment to prolong my life.  I received two courses of chemotherapy followed by several months of relatively good health.  In November 2014 I began my third course of chemotherapy.  This proved to be unsuccessful after three cycles. I then tried a different drug but this also failed to improve my condition.

In April 2015 I was told that there was no more treatment available on the NHS and that my prospects were bleak.

Throughout my illness I have been pursuing a number of alternative and complimentary treatments as well as following a strict diet.  I have read numerous books and spent countless hours researching on the internet.

One of the most promising treatments available is based in Frankfurt (Germany) where Dr Thomas Vogl has had some success in treating various types of cancer.  I have been accepted for treatment but the cost is very expensive at around £4000 per treatment.  There is no guarantee that the treatment will be successful but I feel that this is my best hope.

I have already had one treatment but some patients have as many as eight.

I am now looking to raise some money for further treatment through Yes to Life as any funds raised on my behalf will be used for other good causes in the event that I do not use it myself.

(Long Version!)

I am now 52 years old, and until I reached 50, I never thought that I wouldn’t see my children get married and see my grandchildren grow up. Unfortunately, that might not be the case, as I have been diagnosed with Primary Peritoneal Cancer.

How it started

I had always been fit and active and for the past few years had been regularly taking part in 5k runs.  In the spring of 2012 I visited my GP to discuss discomfort in my abdomen.  I had suffered with fibroids for many years and my GP suggested that it might be time to undergo a hysterectomy.  I had been delaying this for a long time but this time I agreed to go ahead.  My surgery was planned for November.  During the summer months I began to feel further discomfort and swelling in my abdomen.  Visits to my GP surgery lead to reassurance that these were menopausal.  In October I showed my stomach to my daughter.  As a nurse, she was very concerned and together we made further visits to my GP

Diagnosis

On the 14 November 2012, I left work early to attend my pre op appointment together with my husband and daughter. On my mentioning that I had had other symptoms, the Consultant did an ultrasound scan on my abdomen. His face showed immediately that something was amiss. On sitting back in the chair he shuffled his paperwork and said “I’m really sorry I think you have cancer”. He explained that he could see a large amount of fluid in my abdomen and that this is normally associated with ovarian cancer.  All of a sudden my world fell apart. He said we need to do further investigations to confirm his suspicions. 

Two days later I returned two undergo a laparoscopy.  Prior to this procedure I received the result of my blood test.  This is a special blood test known as a CA125.  In normal women the reading would be 10.  My result was 9900 (nine thousand nine hundred).  This all but confirmed the cancer.  I underwent the procedure and had three litres of fluid drained.  Later that day the consultant returned with the diagnosis.  He confirmed that it was cancer but that it was in fact a rear form known as Primary Peritoneal Cancer.  This is a similar type of cancer to ovarian cancer but which has started in a different place.  My ovaries were normal.  He told me that having a hysterectomy earlier would not have prevented this.

I was also told that there was no cure for this type of cancer but that some people respond to treatment for many years.  He told me that if I responded well there was the possibility that I could have an operation to remove some of the tumours.

Within a few days I had my first CT scan.  The following day I met my oncology consultants for the first time.  They confirmed that that cancer had already spread to my liver and that I my diagnosis had now been graded as Stage 4. They confirmed that this was not an illness that could be cured but that every effort would be made to stabilise the disease. 

The plan for treatment was to shrink the tumours with chemotherapy and then have surgery to remove what they could. They added that this would only take place if it is considered not to affect the quality of life. The definition of this is that it will take two to three months to recover from the operation and that if there is no prospect of achieving a longer period of relatively good health it would not in the patient’s best interests to proceed.

Treatment

My treatment began soon after.  I was placed on a trial where Chemotherapy is given weekly rather than the normal three weekly basis.  Although there were a few problems, I coped quite well with the treatment.  One of the side effects of the treatment was that I began to lose my hair.

After nine weeks I was scheduled for surgery.  The consultant told me that he would perform and initial laparoscopy, and if all looked well he would proceed with the operation to remove some tumours as well as performing a hysterectomy. 

In the event I did have the operation.  I was very poorly for a few days, but I gradually improved.  Two weeks later I resumed Chemotherapy and continued with the remaining course of treatment.

By May 2013 a scan showed a reduction in the size of my tumours and my CA125 had reduced to 250.  My consultant was pleased with my progress, but explained that it was likely to be a temporary improvement.  She hoped that I would remain stable for a period of longer than six months as this would mean that I could have the same type of chemotherapy for my next round of treatment.

Throughout my treatment I had spent many hours online investigating complementary and alternative treatments.  There are many stories of people surviving against the odds and I was encouraged by what I read In June I travelled to London to meet with Patricia Peat.  Patricia has many years of experience in complementary medicine and recommended number of alternative treatments and supplements. 

It took a while to get organised but by August I began to take a range of supplements and began attending regular Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy.  I felt reasonably well during the summer and was able to do most of the things I wanted to do. 

I had regular check-ups at the hospital and In October my CA125 had begun to rise.  A scan showed that my tumours had grown and my consultant recommended that I resume chemotherapy.  As I had not been stable for six months I had to try the second line of treatment.  I resumed chemotherapy in November.  This time I was required to attend two weeks out of every three. In addition to chemotherapy I receive a drug called Bevacizumab.  The CA125 blood tests and scans showed that the treatment was working.  However, I had a couple of occasions where I reacted badly and after four cycles my consultant decided to change my treatment.  The final two treatments were not very pleasant but I managed to get through it.  By March 2014 my CA125 had reduced to 150 and my scans shown a reduction in tumour size.

I felt well again during the summer and continued with my programme of supplements and treatments. In June I attended a three day seminar where a number of there were a number of speakers representing a variety organisations offering alternative to the standard NHS treatment.

In August my CA125 had risen once again and my consultant suggested that I should resume chemotherapy.  I was quite reluctant as I felt well.  Later that month I visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London with a view to going on a trial. Unfortunately, they were unable to offer me any treatment.

In November I resumed my third round of treatment.  I started with a drug called Caelyx.  Three rounds of treatment proved to be unsuccessful as my CA125 continued to rise.  I was then offered another type of chemotherapy in tablet form.  The success rate was likely to be around 15% and I was told that I would lose my hair again.  I declined this treatment and was the offered an alternative as a last resort.  Two further cycles proved to be also unsuccessful and in April I was told that no further treatment was available.  I was told that my life expectancy was predicted to be months and possibly not very many.

Faced with this prospect I decided to pursue an alternative.  I contacted Dr Thomas Vogl who is based in a hospital in Frankfurt.  I had first become aware of Dr Vogl when I attended the seminar the previous year.  Several people were saying what wonderful results he was achieving for cancer patients, with a pioneering form of treatment.

The treatment involves an initial scan using superior scanning  equipment. This is followed by a delivery of a dose of chemotherapy via the arteries, injected directly into the tumour. It is then sealed to keep the chemo within the tumour. By delivering it directly, it is not diluted by the blood, as it is with regular chemo.

I sent copies of my scans to Professor Vogl, for him to assess if treatment was possible.  His response that he could treat me, has obviously given me hope again.  I understand that it can shrink the tumours more than the regular chemo can do.

This treatment in Frankfurt is definitely not available anywhere in the UK (or elsewhere in Germany) nor is it funded by the NHS. I am unable to work and the cost of this treatment is way beyond my means.  I am not sure how many treatments I am going to need in Germany. 

I have already had one treatment and found it pretty gruelling.  I have another appointment scheduled for June and I will find out whether the first treatment has been successful

I hope it will work for me, but if this isn’t the treatment for me then I intend to use the funds towards other therapies to help with my cancer

I would really appreciate it, if you could share my story, with as many people as you can. The more people that know, hopefully, the nearer I can get to my goal

Thank you so much for taking the time for visiting Melanie’s Just Giving page and for reading Jackie’s story.

Making a donation                                                   

Donating through Just Giving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Just Giving. They’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate- saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

The page you are reading will transfer any contributions to Yes To Life linked to myself helping me to claim the cost of treatments.

Yes To Life have vetted me and will only release monies upon me providing them with receipts for strictly limited bounds of permitted expenditure types.

If you are able to contribute to my fund please advise just giving as you proceed if you are a tax payer so that yes to life and I will benefit from gift aid. You should be able to claim tax relief on your contribution from HMRC via your annual tax return.

Any contributions made will be greatly appreciated and will help start my journey of survival.

I urgently need your help now.

Thank you for your support,

Jackie  xx

 Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.