Donna's cancer treatment
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Donna Wells, I am 38 years old and I have worked for the NHS in Leicester (vascular and cardiac) for the last 20 years and this is my story as to why I need your help...
I have been diagnosed with a rare cancer (vaginal). I first noticed symptoms in December 2015. I was referred for an ultra sound in January 2016, which led to me having a biopsy of my right groin - this confirmed that I have a malignant cancer. At first I was told by my consultant looking after me that he was going to try and cure my cancer but I am only the 3rd person in his career that he has come across with this type of cancer.. after more CT scans / MRI scans and a PET-CT scan to confirm everything, I was started on a 5 week course of chemptherapy.. I was then sent for a mapping scan prior to starting radiotherapy and this is where things started to go downhill.. When my consultant was looking at my mapping scan he noticed something else - the PET - CT scan was misdiagnosed and my cancer had spread to my para aortic lymph node. The doctor called me into clinic and then told me that because of the spread, he can no longer cure me and that he can now only treat me with palliative chemo - he then said I have a year to live. After this, I had 2 lots of pallative chemo, lost all my hair and suffered with neuropathy and pain in my hands and legs, then I was sent for another CT scan to see how my tumour was responding to chemo - more bad news - it isnt! Instead it had spread further, this time to my para tracheal nodes so now my consultant has stopped all treatment and will give me radiotheraphy should I get any pain.
I am not ready to give up on life yet and have been to seek a second opinion in London! I have been given some hope with the possibility of a clinical trial in the form of immunotherapy - but to receive this treatment it means me travelling back and forth to London and staying over and this is why I am asking for your help, as at the moment I am unable to work and the cost of train fares and accomodation is becoming an issue. I dont travel 1st class or stay in expensive places.
To enable me to have any chance of proloning my life - I need to be able to travel weekly / monthly for treatment and appointments.
I appreciate that we all have bills and things to pay, so I appreciate anything anybody can do to help me raise my funds.
I am scared of the outcome as I still feel I have so much to give and that it will all end in a year.
Strangers, family and friends have been helping me so far and the words 'thank you' just dont seem enough, but I remain hopeful in knowing that there are people out there that would be willing help me to try and beat this disease. I really do appreciate people donating to this cause and will remain forever in your debt.
I have been diagnosed with a rare cancer (vaginal). I first noticed symptoms in December 2015. I was referred for an ultra sound in January 2016, which led to me having a biopsy of my right groin - this confirmed that I have a malignant cancer. At first I was told by my consultant looking after me that he was going to try and cure my cancer but I am only the 3rd person in his career that he has come across with this type of cancer.. after more CT scans / MRI scans and a PET-CT scan to confirm everything, I was started on a 5 week course of chemptherapy.. I was then sent for a mapping scan prior to starting radiotherapy and this is where things started to go downhill.. When my consultant was looking at my mapping scan he noticed something else - the PET - CT scan was misdiagnosed and my cancer had spread to my para aortic lymph node. The doctor called me into clinic and then told me that because of the spread, he can no longer cure me and that he can now only treat me with palliative chemo - he then said I have a year to live. After this, I had 2 lots of pallative chemo, lost all my hair and suffered with neuropathy and pain in my hands and legs, then I was sent for another CT scan to see how my tumour was responding to chemo - more bad news - it isnt! Instead it had spread further, this time to my para tracheal nodes so now my consultant has stopped all treatment and will give me radiotheraphy should I get any pain.
I am not ready to give up on life yet and have been to seek a second opinion in London! I have been given some hope with the possibility of a clinical trial in the form of immunotherapy - but to receive this treatment it means me travelling back and forth to London and staying over and this is why I am asking for your help, as at the moment I am unable to work and the cost of train fares and accomodation is becoming an issue. I dont travel 1st class or stay in expensive places.
To enable me to have any chance of proloning my life - I need to be able to travel weekly / monthly for treatment and appointments.
I appreciate that we all have bills and things to pay, so I appreciate anything anybody can do to help me raise my funds.
I am scared of the outcome as I still feel I have so much to give and that it will all end in a year.
Strangers, family and friends have been helping me so far and the words 'thank you' just dont seem enough, but I remain hopeful in knowing that there are people out there that would be willing help me to try and beat this disease. I really do appreciate people donating to this cause and will remain forever in your debt.
Organizer
Donna Wells
Organizer
