Hello, my name is Tracey, I’m a 52-yr old mum of 6 (yes you read that right ha!), I’m also a step mum to 4, nana to 8 and great nana to 1.
I am married to Mark my amazing husband of almost 10yrs.
I worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician for over 18yrs until June 2020.
I am now a self employed Aesthetics practioner and have been since leaving the Ambulance Service (has its pros and cons qhen going through Cancer)
My little back story.
I was diagnosed with an incurable but treatable cancer called Primary Peritoneal Cancer, fondly renamed "THE BITCH" in January 2021. I have just finished my third round of chemotherapy.
My cancer is closely linked to Ovarian Cancer and is treated exactly the same with surgery and chemo.
It was a complete shock and came out of nowhere! No symptoms. NOTHING.
I was immediately put on my first course of Chemotherapy for 6 months, followed by a Radical Hysterectomy and De bulking surgery. I was put on what they called "maintenance" for nearly 18 months, then came the devastating news of a recurrence. There was a further 6 months Chemotherapy, which was followed by three months off chemotherapy to ‘watch and wait’, (the chemo had shrunk & stabilised "the bitch"). Just three months later, another devastating blow, my 2nd recurrence, which led to, yep, you’ve guessed it, more chemo!
After just completing this round of chemotherapy in October my scan results have shown that although I had some shrinking mid-way, ‘the bitch’ has fought back and actually grown again, just 3mm but it's growth.
I have been told that there is 1 more option of Chemo (Paclitaxel) should the cancer continue to grow. In the interim I am now taking Letrozole, which is an Oestrogen blocker in the hope that it will hold the cancer back.
Over the last few months I have been semi committed to using some ‘alternative therapy’ supplements.
I have been trying to follow two very different protocols to hit this thing from every angle.
Being semi-committed wasn’t working as I’d hoped so I now aim to FULLY commit to both protocols for as long as I can.
The "standard of care" in the NHS is very limited and also very different dependent on where you live!
I have found a lot of info and researched so so much over the last 2 yrs. I have even asked about treatments that my Oncologist knew nothing about. (This sadly does not fill me with confidence)
Unperturbed by this, I managed to self-fund a second opinion. It was very interesting and a completely different approach, and she is willing to perform another surgery if needed, and this would be available through the NHS.
I was also told I should have been offered Radiotherapy or CYBER knife, I was only offered the initial surgery and Chemotherapy. ( my cancer centre/Oncologist told me that there would be no further surgeries available for me, even to improve quality of life or extend life)
It has taken a lot of persuasion by the people around me but I am here asking for your help, (which, for the people that know me and as a strong independent woman, I don't do lightly). As I sit here re-ordering just some of the alternative therapy supplements, the cost is already nearing £200 for 1 months’ supply! I do know I/we cannot financially keep it up. It was at this point that I decided to listen to the people around me and post this.
I now feel it's time to advocate for myself even more than I have been doing (I strongly advise this to anyone going through this)with regards to treatments available world wide as well as on the NHS and uk.
So, with my own determination and my family in mind I have been researching the various treatments available out there and found a treatment called TACE, which is in Germany. Obviously it has a price tag, £3500 per treatment.
Yes, this treatment IS available in the UK, BUT it has a very strict criteria! Which probably means MONEY.
I am currently waiting for a response from the hospital in Germany, so I will update as soon as a response is received.
Obviously if TACE is not an option and this being my biggest potential cost, then I will adjust the target amount accordingly. My go fund me is aimed at all angles available to me so as well as my ever extending list of supplements, any private treatments etc will be looked in to along the way.
Following the research I have done, the positive outcomes that I have read/seen, the trials and papers I have seen, all reiterate that there ARE things available to better treat cancers.
There are world of medications in the UK that can be used "off label" but again can only be accessed by paying privately!
This is why I come cap in hand asking for help, your help!
Now, as the cost of the ‘alternative therapy’ supplements is becoming harder to fund every month, it’s getting to the point where I won't be able to afford them for much longer. (Try to imagine paying for two mortgages/rent per month, the cost is high!)
I am determined to continue with the strength that I have thrown at this "bitch" since diagnosis.
I am and will continue to explore everything available to attack it and keep it at bay for as long as we possibly can.
Trust me when I say YOU would too.
As you can imagine, I would like to stick around for as long as possible to enjoy watching my family grow, flourish and live.
Please, please, please, if you can help me keep this "Bitch" at bay for as long as possible, even the smallest of donations will help.
Any donation will be gratefully received and hopefully keep the financial impact of the alternative supplements and surgeries from impacting on us a family.
Lots of Thanks & Love
T x