Tag Archives: cancer appeal

PATRICIA TELLS HER STORY OF TREATMENT AT THE DOVE CLINIC

22 Nov

I returned home from my treatment 2 weeks ago now with the biggest side effect being an increased need for sleep. I’m not sure if this was because of the treatment or just having spent 2 weeks away from home sleeping in a strange bed and attending the Dove clinic and enduring the treatment.

I had a consultation on arrival at the clinic with Dr Julian Kenyon who examined my blood under microscope and I was scanned with the Oberon scanner. This showed the tumour site and gave an indication of my immunity levels. I then spent up to 2 hours using a pipette to put the algae under my tongue to ingest. I had been nil by mouth so the droplets ingested well as the idea was not to swallow them. Then I waited for two days for the algae to get to work on reaching the cancerous cells.

The treatment then began with obs taken and then a cannula put into a vein and a quantity of blood was removed; oxygenated and then put back into my vein. Not pleasant but the nursing staff were wonderful at distracting me as this happened. My mum also sat in with me during this procedure and kept me company.
Following this the light bed treatment commenced and for each day the amount of time under the lights increased. The algae having now reached the cancer cells becomes light sensitive and reacts to the light by hopefully being halted in their tracks as it were. This was followed by ultra sound over the tumour site and this treatment was carried out for three days each week. I then consumed the second dose of algae waited a further two days and so the treatment happened in the same way as the 1st week.

I saw Dr Kenyon at the end of the last day if treatment and was looked at under the Oberon scan once again. He said I’m a survivor and if he didn’t know I had cancer he wouldn’t have guessed it by looking at me so it was a good job we were on to it!

I have to return for a follow up consultation once two months have passed to be examined again as it won’t be clear what has happened to the cancer as the effects show the tumours to look bigger following treatment as a reaction to breaking down…. The treatment doesn’t profess to eradicate the tumour in all cases but if it can be stopped in its tracks and a semblance of a quality of life can be regained then this is progress. It might be that I would need a second course of the treatment in the future but I hope not. I don’t know yet what the future holds but I imagine it bright and I picture myself well which is the most essential part of being when fighting cancer. Think positive.

So in the meantime I sleep and follow what my body directs and continue on with my diet of vitamins and fresh fruit and vegetables. Although my energy is low at the moment I assume it needs rest and don’t argue with it.

I would recommend anyone who is going through something similar to read dr Bernie Siegel and do their best to become ‘an exceptional patient’ and don’t leave a stone unturned. Try everything possible don’t believe it when conventional medicine sends you home to die! Keep positive do something you love,whatever that may be, and keep on keeping on!

There are many naturopathic remedies available such as floressence tea, apricot kernels and many foods that are anti cancer such as beetroot, turmeric and berries. I consume these every day it’s time consuming but that is what I hope to have in future – ‘time’.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this part of my journey possible through fundraising and such generosity. I couldn’t have done it without your help and good will. So thank you once again.

Going for Gold!

6 Aug

It’s been an amazing weekend watching the Olympics. Usain Bolt caused parts of London to dance in the streets and the cheers to be heard half a mile from the stadium as he raised the roof. Andy Murray caused mass weeping with his gold and Mo Farah made a nation very proud.

But in amongst all the elation and excitement, we’ve been thinking about all the other people whose lives are also so focused and full of hard work and emotional commitment because they are ill. There is no expression more apt than ‘as long as you’ve got your health…’

Hundreds of people each week in the UK are diagnosed with cancer and overnight their lives change. They have to develop the kind of focus of a gold medallist in order to be able to keep the familiarities of their old life and the fear and uncertainty of their new life. They are forced to comtemplate their mortality and become harbingers of doom to those they love, breaking news of bad things. Everything is new and uncertain and you’re set on a path you have no map for as you try to navigate the bureaucracy of sick leave, benefits, the NHS and insurance policies. Emotions are heightened and swirl anxiously as you aim for each event and treatment with a steely-mindedness of a sportsman. Everything takes all your energy at a time when ill health depletes it.

Just like the Olympics are being made so much easier and organised by the GamesMakers who have come out clad in purple and enthusiasm, it’s the other people who have experienced cancer that help ease the difficulty for the those currently fighting it. They offer advice, experience and show that people can and do come through this illness. They are invaluable. Combined with friends and family being supportive, it’s like having that home crowd cheer you on!

In the week that we are receiving so much love and support to raise money for Patricia’s appeal, we want to remind everyone else out there in a similar situation that we’ve thinking of them and although we’re specifically raising money for Patricia, we’re doing the benefit for everyone touched by cancer. Please show your support by coming along or buying tickets or even just asking someone you know in a similar situation what you can do to help. Strength in this situation comes from numbers and we have more to win than medal if everyone helps….

We’re Famous!

29 Jul

Sunday Life Locker Appeal piece

To cap off an amazing and exciting week here at The Locker Appeal, we featured in a double page spread in the Sunday Life today! This is a great way to get to know Patricia a little bit better and see how having cancer is affecting her life and the lives of other sufferers. It’s well worth getting your hands on a copy! Or you can now read it here!

We’ve had a wonderful response to the article and are feeling very buoyed by it. It also means tickets for the Barge Extravaganza on August 8th are flying out the door, so if you’re umming and awwing about whether to come, don’t delay! Buy your tickets today!*

Keep reading throughout the week to get a sneak preview of the prizes we’ve got planned. There’s new things being added every day!

*(We’re hoping to keep a few on the door on the night, but with demand like this it’s not a certainty…)

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