Herceptin Help for Mel
My lovely friend Melanie O'Neill was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer 9yrs ago.
During those 9yrs,Mel has endured more trauma and sadness than most people would ever experience in a whole lifetime..yet that beautiful smile rarely leaves her face and her fighting spirit,and resilience,even in the face of such relentless adversity just leaves me.and everyone who knows Mel,in awe of her.
Mel is an inspiration to so many,with her regular blogs for the Warrington Guardian and her Instagram and Facebook posts.. which show us that even at her lowest points, and on her worst days,her determination to refuse to lie down and wallow in her situation..as so many would.. choosing instead to get up and get on with life.
She could be forgiven for not making the effort,but she puts her make up on and gives us all hope with her amazing positivity!
Most of us can only imagine the pain of having to get through each day with the constant pain that her illness causes her,and the constant worry of what lies ahead.. and the uncertainty of wondering whether the treatment you are putting your body through..which brings it's own problems..will work ,but Mel faces it all with a stoicism that puts the rest of us to shame and which puts our own,lesser problems into perspective.
Mel has endured chemotherapy and clinical trials with her trademark smile and tenacious hope..no easy feat for someone living with an incurable illness,but knowing that your options are running out,because of financial reasons, is not something that anyone should have to resign themselves to...especially this beautiful ,brave lady who has so much to still live for.
Mel has a loving,much loved husband Carl..and 2 beautiful precious daughters,Lois and Darcey who she adores and they adore her...a wonderful,loving family and more friends and people who love and care for her than she could ever realise,and she deserves the chance to spend as much time as possible with them all....not forgetting her puppy pooch Stanley!
Her Oncologist's recommendation is for her to have another chemo treatment..Taxol..with the anti-cancer drug Herceptin,but the NHS will no longer fund it,as it costs £1000 a go ,which Mel would need on a 3 weekly basis.
When friends,including myself,suggested a fundraising page to help with the cost of treatment,Mel,in her typical,unassuming fashion,was reluctant to ask for or accept help,worrying that it would look 'cheeky'.
I honestly don't think she realises how many people love her and would be willing to donate any amount..no matter how much..to give her the best chance possible to spend more time with her lovely family,which is the reason I've set this page up.
In Mel's own words...."This is my final option and then there’s nothing left for me so I live in hope that something will work or something else will come along soon"
"Taxol + Herceptin is my last line of treatment then there is nothing left so I want to give myself the best shot I can as I’m not ready to go just yet. I live in hope as I grasp at straws, at anything, that may buy me extra time on this earth".
Anyone who is privileged enough to know Mel,would agree that this lovely lady deserves that much....and so much more,so please,if you are able,please donate to help her fund her treatment.
Thank you for taking the time to read the reasons for this page x