Help Terry fight his rare cancer
Donation protected
My husband Terry Jones is a well known Ellesmere Port man, having lived here all of his life (apart from a spell living in Elton with some lovely people) Terry is a very much loved husband, Dad and Grandad. He is 54 years old and has worked hard all of his life to provide for our lovely family.
In May 2016, after being misdiagnosed by his GP for over 2 years, Terry received the dreadful news that he had a large secondary tumour in his abdomen, which was wrapped around his aorta, and which has also spread into his duodenum and bowel. This came as a devastating blow to Terry, as at the age of 24 he had testicular cancer which had also spread to his abdominal lymph nodes and he had 12 months of harrowing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Terry had been in remission.
Originally diagnosed with cancer of the unknown primary it is now thought that the cancer has regenerated from the old tumour left behind 30 years ago. The cancer cells in this new cancer are so rare that there is no chemotherapy treatment available and radiotherapy cannot be given due to the size of the tumour.
Terry was told by 2 hospitals that there was nothing they could do for him as his cancer was so rare and the complications too complex. He was referred to The Christie hospital for their opinion. Terry's Professor at The Christie told Terry his only chance was to have a very complex and dangerous operation, otherwise he would not be here in 2 years time. Terry was put on the list as a priority as time was running out for him, his breathing was getting worse.
After being warned of the complications that could arise during surgery, including a high risk of death, Terry accepted this was his only option and the surgery took place on 17th October 2016 at The Christie hospital in Manchester.
The surgery lasted 11 hours and Terry had 10 blood transfusions. Terry survived the surgery despite some serious complications. Terry had his aorta replaced, the large tumour was removed and also part of his bowel. Unfortunately Terry developed an infection and also a substantial dvt in his thigh after surgery. This delayed his stay in hospital and has meant his recovery from surgery will be much longer. Terry is still (21st November 2016) not mobile and in condiserable pain. He has lost 2.5 stone in 4 weeks and is very weak.
Terry has an appointnment at The Christie on 23rd November to discuss the results of his operation and to put in place the plan for the next stage in his treatment. We hope that the histology will confirm the exact cancer so that we know exactly what we are dealing with. Terry is in need of long term care to recover from the operation and his dvt, and the next stage in treatment is not yet known.
We are hoping to raise funds to support Terry through his fight with cancer and to pay for any treatment & tests that are needed. Terry has been unable to work since June and I had to give up work earlier this year due to my arthritis. I am now Terry's sole carer.
Any funds that are received & not used will be given to people in similar circumstances. We have found accessing funds to help adults fight cancer is very hard.
We are trying to give Terry the best chance of survival and we need to be quick as time is now not on his side. The next stage (if we have to) would be for Terry to seek help internationally.
I do not want to lose my husband of 32 years, and Terry's children and grandchildren do not want to either. We are all so grateful for all of the support we have already received from the local community. Thank you is not enough. Please help if you can. Donating just £1 will help, imagine if everyone in our local area could do this - we would have enough funds to get Terry the best scans and treatment possible to make sure he has a chance of beating this horrible disease for the 2nd time xx
In May 2016, after being misdiagnosed by his GP for over 2 years, Terry received the dreadful news that he had a large secondary tumour in his abdomen, which was wrapped around his aorta, and which has also spread into his duodenum and bowel. This came as a devastating blow to Terry, as at the age of 24 he had testicular cancer which had also spread to his abdominal lymph nodes and he had 12 months of harrowing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Terry had been in remission.
Originally diagnosed with cancer of the unknown primary it is now thought that the cancer has regenerated from the old tumour left behind 30 years ago. The cancer cells in this new cancer are so rare that there is no chemotherapy treatment available and radiotherapy cannot be given due to the size of the tumour.
Terry was told by 2 hospitals that there was nothing they could do for him as his cancer was so rare and the complications too complex. He was referred to The Christie hospital for their opinion. Terry's Professor at The Christie told Terry his only chance was to have a very complex and dangerous operation, otherwise he would not be here in 2 years time. Terry was put on the list as a priority as time was running out for him, his breathing was getting worse.
After being warned of the complications that could arise during surgery, including a high risk of death, Terry accepted this was his only option and the surgery took place on 17th October 2016 at The Christie hospital in Manchester.
The surgery lasted 11 hours and Terry had 10 blood transfusions. Terry survived the surgery despite some serious complications. Terry had his aorta replaced, the large tumour was removed and also part of his bowel. Unfortunately Terry developed an infection and also a substantial dvt in his thigh after surgery. This delayed his stay in hospital and has meant his recovery from surgery will be much longer. Terry is still (21st November 2016) not mobile and in condiserable pain. He has lost 2.5 stone in 4 weeks and is very weak.
Terry has an appointnment at The Christie on 23rd November to discuss the results of his operation and to put in place the plan for the next stage in his treatment. We hope that the histology will confirm the exact cancer so that we know exactly what we are dealing with. Terry is in need of long term care to recover from the operation and his dvt, and the next stage in treatment is not yet known.
We are hoping to raise funds to support Terry through his fight with cancer and to pay for any treatment & tests that are needed. Terry has been unable to work since June and I had to give up work earlier this year due to my arthritis. I am now Terry's sole carer.
Any funds that are received & not used will be given to people in similar circumstances. We have found accessing funds to help adults fight cancer is very hard.
We are trying to give Terry the best chance of survival and we need to be quick as time is now not on his side. The next stage (if we have to) would be for Terry to seek help internationally.
I do not want to lose my husband of 32 years, and Terry's children and grandchildren do not want to either. We are all so grateful for all of the support we have already received from the local community. Thank you is not enough. Please help if you can. Donating just £1 will help, imagine if everyone in our local area could do this - we would have enough funds to get Terry the best scans and treatment possible to make sure he has a chance of beating this horrible disease for the 2nd time xx
Organizer
Terry Jones
Organizer
