Christine’s Battle with Liver Cancer
Donation protected
It was just last September when the news came through that our Mum, Christine Butler, had liver cancer. The situation has developed recently and our family needs your support…
Initially investigated due to minor pain which was believed to be from an unrelated surgery earlier in the year. The MRI revealed a 5cm tumour in the lower part of the liver which was found to be malignant.
Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, surgery to remove the tumour was scheduled in for October 2018. The purpose of the liver resection was to prolong the onset of the cancer spreading for as long as possible.
During the 5-hour long operation the surgeon removed approx. 60% of Christine’s liver, which was deemed to be the maximum amount that could be removed to ensure adequate liver function post-op.
The surgery went to plan. Christine made a remarkably quick recovery from the surgery and at one point there were even hopes that Christine could have been clear of the cancer. The doctor commented they usually don’t see people recover this quickly after major surgery.
Spirits were lifted and even though the long-term prognosis was still not good, it gave us hope that Christine would somehow defy the odds and beat this bloody thing.
After diagnosis and post operation, Christine still remained the self-less, generous and positive person she has always been. If you didn’t know about the cancer, you would be none the wiser. There was never a point where she expected anything special, her strong will and determination to beat the cancer was evident.
Everything went on as normal and she quickly got back to work, keen to keep her busy schedule while we all awaited the news from the post-operative scan in February…
On Wednesday 13th February 2019 Christine had an appointment at 2pm with the surgeon. This would be a day that none of us will forget. As I write this now, we are still in disbelief, shocked and numb to the thought that our dear Mother and friend may not be with us for Christmas.
The cancer has returned and is very aggressive, it has invaded the portal vein, top section of liver and has spread to the bones in the vicinity. The treatment suggested by the specialist is palliative chemotherapy with the purpose to slow down the spread with an outcome of keeping quality of life for as long as possible.
While Christine is still well enough to get out and about, we would like to ensure she can have the opportunity to maximise every moment, to spend time with her dear husband Brex, family and friends, and to be at peace with her decisions and have no regrets.
Family and friends, we have setup this fundraiser to ask if you could kindly make a donation to help Christine & Brex realise a lifelong dream of visiting Italy. I recently asked Christine, if there was one place you would like to go in the world where would it be? Her reply... Italy, specifically the Tuscany region with all the beauty, history and gastronomy it has to offer.
We are fundraising to ensure we can make this trip happen in April. A special gift to say thank you for being a devoted, caring and beautiful Mum and friend throughout the years. A chance for Christine and Brex to enjoy a break from reality, slow down time and to clear their minds from the year that lies ahead.
While Italy is at the top of the list, if the doctor recommends Christine stays closer to home due to side effects from the Chemo, all money raised will go to a trip that is suitable for Christine’s condition at the time.
Please feel free to share this fundraiser with anybody you think may be interested in helping out. Let’s give Christine and Brex the opportunity to bask in the springtime sunshine, enjoy their love for each other and create special memories that will last forever.
Thank you for your support,
Kathryn, Michael, Kylie & James
Initially investigated due to minor pain which was believed to be from an unrelated surgery earlier in the year. The MRI revealed a 5cm tumour in the lower part of the liver which was found to be malignant.
Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, surgery to remove the tumour was scheduled in for October 2018. The purpose of the liver resection was to prolong the onset of the cancer spreading for as long as possible.
During the 5-hour long operation the surgeon removed approx. 60% of Christine’s liver, which was deemed to be the maximum amount that could be removed to ensure adequate liver function post-op.
The surgery went to plan. Christine made a remarkably quick recovery from the surgery and at one point there were even hopes that Christine could have been clear of the cancer. The doctor commented they usually don’t see people recover this quickly after major surgery.
Spirits were lifted and even though the long-term prognosis was still not good, it gave us hope that Christine would somehow defy the odds and beat this bloody thing.
After diagnosis and post operation, Christine still remained the self-less, generous and positive person she has always been. If you didn’t know about the cancer, you would be none the wiser. There was never a point where she expected anything special, her strong will and determination to beat the cancer was evident.
Everything went on as normal and she quickly got back to work, keen to keep her busy schedule while we all awaited the news from the post-operative scan in February…
On Wednesday 13th February 2019 Christine had an appointment at 2pm with the surgeon. This would be a day that none of us will forget. As I write this now, we are still in disbelief, shocked and numb to the thought that our dear Mother and friend may not be with us for Christmas.
The cancer has returned and is very aggressive, it has invaded the portal vein, top section of liver and has spread to the bones in the vicinity. The treatment suggested by the specialist is palliative chemotherapy with the purpose to slow down the spread with an outcome of keeping quality of life for as long as possible.
While Christine is still well enough to get out and about, we would like to ensure she can have the opportunity to maximise every moment, to spend time with her dear husband Brex, family and friends, and to be at peace with her decisions and have no regrets.
Family and friends, we have setup this fundraiser to ask if you could kindly make a donation to help Christine & Brex realise a lifelong dream of visiting Italy. I recently asked Christine, if there was one place you would like to go in the world where would it be? Her reply... Italy, specifically the Tuscany region with all the beauty, history and gastronomy it has to offer.
We are fundraising to ensure we can make this trip happen in April. A special gift to say thank you for being a devoted, caring and beautiful Mum and friend throughout the years. A chance for Christine and Brex to enjoy a break from reality, slow down time and to clear their minds from the year that lies ahead.
While Italy is at the top of the list, if the doctor recommends Christine stays closer to home due to side effects from the Chemo, all money raised will go to a trip that is suitable for Christine’s condition at the time.
Please feel free to share this fundraiser with anybody you think may be interested in helping out. Let’s give Christine and Brex the opportunity to bask in the springtime sunshine, enjoy their love for each other and create special memories that will last forever.
Thank you for your support,
Kathryn, Michael, Kylie & James
Organizer and beneficiary
James Clipsham
Organizer
Ellen Grove, QLD
Kathryn Clipsham
Beneficiary