Donate In memory of Jamie Belair
Donation protected
According to statistics sadly more than 1.7 million patients were newly diagnosed with cancer in North America. Less then 2000 of these individuals were diagnosed with appendiceal cancer. In fact appendiceal cancer also known as PMP ( pseudomyxoma peritonei ) is one of the rarest form of cancers in the world.
As you may know last summer after experiencing serious pain and swelling in his abdomen Jamie rushed himself to the hospital and after undergoing a battery of tests for weeks was diagnosed in October 2014 with this rare form of cancer. His first symptoms were also indicitave of a condition called Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity causing swelling and bloating). A special catheter called a plurex was used to drain fluid daily, usually 2 litres at a time over the course of a month.
Jamie was put on a round of chemotherapy and Avastin treatment which has continued bi weekly over the last 9 months and has effectively reduced the ascites. During this time however he also formed a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) in his lung that will require him to inject himself daily with a blood thinner.
In mid June 2015 after a laparoscope, Jamie found out that the cancer had spread everywhere through his abdomen. They were unable to look at his liver because of all the mucin (cancerous tissue that is very sticky, like a jelly). His colon has also shifted places.
His Oncologist at the Ottawa General Hospital, as well as the doctor that performed the laparoscope consulted with other surgeons and specialists. Jamie learned that because of his age he is a candidate for a surgery known as the Sugerbaker Procedure. Commonly referred to as the "mother of all surgeries" due to it lasting 18 hours. There is a possibility that Jamie will need to have some other organs removed along with the cancer and his appendix. On July 6th Jamie will be meeting with a surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto to go over all the details of the surgery and possibly get a surgery date which should be soon.
Despite his positive outlook the reality is that his journey is becoming harder and harder every month. Unable to walk for more then 20-30 minutes at a time due to chemotherapy taking it's toll on him Jamie has been mostly confined to his home, aside from appointment's and occasional rare outings with friends and family. Because of pain and uncomfortableness he has been unable to sleep in his bed and has been sleeping daily for the last 9 months in a lazy boy recliner.
Due to his condition worsening, stress of the coming surgery and treatment, coupled with the financial burden of unexpected expenses we are asking that anyone who is able to donate help us by contributing any amount possible. The funds will go towards purchasing Jamie an adjustable remote controlled bed which are very costly as well as taking care of other medical costs and financial obligations.
Jamie has also involved himself with the North American Cancer Society www.appendixcancer.net
(website coming soon) a society recently launched to educate and help patients, families and friends affected by the condition find resources about Appendiceal Cancer.
In closing he would like to take the time and thank all of his family, friends, employer and work colleagues who have showed him tremendous support by cooking meals for him weekly, running errands for him and much more. You're kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed.
We will be updating the page with Jamie's condition monthly.
For anyone unable to make a donation online or who would prefer donating in person or via other means
please email us @ [email redacted]
and we will make alternate arrangements with you.
Thank you all so much ! :)
As you may know last summer after experiencing serious pain and swelling in his abdomen Jamie rushed himself to the hospital and after undergoing a battery of tests for weeks was diagnosed in October 2014 with this rare form of cancer. His first symptoms were also indicitave of a condition called Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity causing swelling and bloating). A special catheter called a plurex was used to drain fluid daily, usually 2 litres at a time over the course of a month.
Jamie was put on a round of chemotherapy and Avastin treatment which has continued bi weekly over the last 9 months and has effectively reduced the ascites. During this time however he also formed a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) in his lung that will require him to inject himself daily with a blood thinner.
In mid June 2015 after a laparoscope, Jamie found out that the cancer had spread everywhere through his abdomen. They were unable to look at his liver because of all the mucin (cancerous tissue that is very sticky, like a jelly). His colon has also shifted places.
His Oncologist at the Ottawa General Hospital, as well as the doctor that performed the laparoscope consulted with other surgeons and specialists. Jamie learned that because of his age he is a candidate for a surgery known as the Sugerbaker Procedure. Commonly referred to as the "mother of all surgeries" due to it lasting 18 hours. There is a possibility that Jamie will need to have some other organs removed along with the cancer and his appendix. On July 6th Jamie will be meeting with a surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto to go over all the details of the surgery and possibly get a surgery date which should be soon.
Despite his positive outlook the reality is that his journey is becoming harder and harder every month. Unable to walk for more then 20-30 minutes at a time due to chemotherapy taking it's toll on him Jamie has been mostly confined to his home, aside from appointment's and occasional rare outings with friends and family. Because of pain and uncomfortableness he has been unable to sleep in his bed and has been sleeping daily for the last 9 months in a lazy boy recliner.
Due to his condition worsening, stress of the coming surgery and treatment, coupled with the financial burden of unexpected expenses we are asking that anyone who is able to donate help us by contributing any amount possible. The funds will go towards purchasing Jamie an adjustable remote controlled bed which are very costly as well as taking care of other medical costs and financial obligations.
Jamie has also involved himself with the North American Cancer Society www.appendixcancer.net
(website coming soon) a society recently launched to educate and help patients, families and friends affected by the condition find resources about Appendiceal Cancer.
In closing he would like to take the time and thank all of his family, friends, employer and work colleagues who have showed him tremendous support by cooking meals for him weekly, running errands for him and much more. You're kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed.
We will be updating the page with Jamie's condition monthly.
For anyone unable to make a donation online or who would prefer donating in person or via other means
please email us @ [email redacted]
and we will make alternate arrangements with you.
Thank you all so much ! :)
Organizer
Joanne Madore Beatty
Organizer
Ottawa, ON
