Help

I don’t find it easy asking for help so writing this is somewhat challenging, however three people very special to me need this so here I am. Myself and my daughter left an abusive marriage in Feb 2018 and moved back in with my parents; Linda and Martin. Life suddenly improved for us and after my divorce we planned a relocation from Chester to Newton Abbot, Devon.

Sadly, and unexpectedly in December 2018 my Dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it was a huge blow to us all but we were determined to fight it and get my Dad better, the prognosis for him was pretty good, they said it was curable. He had chemo, then chemoradiotherapy. In the July we moved to Devon and had a great summer, we made truly happy memories. After a long wait my Dad had surgery in October 2019, it was a long and complicated surgery due to the location of the tumour, he had Apr surgery, which meant he had a permanent stoma. He recovered well, got back into his walking which he loves, life felt like it was on the up.

Another scan was organised, we got the results on the 12th December, nearly 1 year since his first diagnosis, it showed enlarged lymph nodes near his spine, so he went to Bristol for SABR radiotherapy, his last treatment was on the 17th March to be followed by a scan 6 weeks later. Covid arrives and we all now know the impact that had on cancer treatments. 

He wasn’t given mop-up chemo, something which I know my Mum feels guilty about now, like she should have made it happen. I hope in time this will ease for her, I know my Dad wouldn’t want her to carry this.

Fast forward to a scan in August 2020 and the cancer has spread, now in lungs and his liver, with a sizable tumour. He’s given Folfiri and cetuximab but on next scan in October 2020, pulmonary embolism was found and chemo isn’t working that well. The chemo was changed to Capox in January and my Dad is in more pain which morphine doesn’t seem to be helping. I miss him being able to play golf, walk and swim. He’s always been a great Grandad and my girl adores him, he’s always gone out of his way to play with her, she loves him.

A drug called Avastin could help him but it isn’t provided for on the NHS, so we are asking for any donations to help him get it privately. I ask this for my Mum and Dad, they’ve given us so much and because of my circumstances they have missed out on a lot the last few years, something I feel guilty about. They love it here in Devon and I would do anything to give them more time together here. I also ask for my girl, I don’t know how I will explain to her that Grandad won’t be with us, she’s only 4 and I worry how this will affect her. I also ask for myself, I’m just not ready to say goodbye yet.

My Dad has always been a hardworking man, not always much of a talker, but funny when he does. This drug could keep him around for longer and I would do anything to see him and my daughter have more time together. If you can help, it would be hugely appreciated and mean the world to our family.

If you can spare the time there is a petition as well, we are trying, along with many others, to get this drug approved for use on the NHS, in many other parts of the world it is already widely used.

It is unlikely my Dad will be suitable for any trials, they really are like gold dust, Avastin is our last chance before palliative care and the end.

I haven’t gone into all the details around Avastin but there are major challenges with the cost of it and how NHS Trusts negotiate prices, it is a postcode lottery and this is something we are also fighting alongside others and with local MP’s, we want to make it fair and equal so all can benefit from this drug and others. We hope to raise £5000 and this will help cover the costs of treatment and associated tests.