Hazel's journey through Cancer

Hello I'm Hazel I'm 64 years old I'm a mom,nan and wife. Fighting stage 4 bowel cancer.

In December 2020 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in my sigmoid colon surgery was arranged for Jan 7th 2021 unfortunately due to covid it was cancelled the night before, so the wait began again my surgeon pushed for me to get it done ASAP, so on 23rd Jan I was admitted to Worcester hospital to get this cancer removed.

After seeing my surgeon a few weeks later he told me I'd have to have a course of mop up chemo of 6 cycles so I thought that's not too bad but after 5 cycles it almost killed me I literally thought this is it I'm done I was that poorly, my oncologist stopped it I was scanned and was all clear the cancer was no more.

18 months later after regular scans,blood tests every three months I got a phone call to attend a pet scan which highlights all traces of cancer in the body.

After a worrying few days my CNS specialist rang to arrange an appointment with my consultant surgeon so my husband daughter and myself went along,we were given the news it was back with a vengeance after 18 months

On my liver,my ovary and two lymph nodes in my tummy I was heartbroken my husband was trying to hold it together and daughter was crying, he was going to refer me to Basingstoke in London for HIPEC surgery.

After getting home and us all digesting the information I had to remain positive and get my head around the diagnosis.

An appointment with my oncologist was scheduled and we went along it was a good discussion gave me hope Basingstoke wouldn't do surgery as they said it wasn't necessary and I should start chemo again the dreaded chemo.

I started my new chemo and after six cycles and a scan it was looking good no progression and lymph nodes had shrunk a little go me

After a few months I had to change chemo due to progression I was now on line three and beginning to panic as you only usually get three lines of treatment after a scan there was growth progression so my oncologist suggested i revisit my first line as it worked well I have been on this now for a few months and had a stable scan last month

I have started this fundraising page to help me raise much needed funds for a treatment call Cetuximab a drug that is very effective with my type of cancer after getting a blood biopsy done at a cost of 1,500 paid for by a family member ❤️

The drug Cetuximab is only funded by the NHS if given on first line chemo this is my second line so they won't fund it I have to self fund, the cost is £800 a cycle i would need to continue with the drug untill it stops working which will amount to thousands so as much help i can get with financial side the better. I have no private insurance.

I really appreciate everyone that has donated so far it means a lot to me and my family also people that have sent gifts it's so kind of you all. I never thought I would be fighting for funds to pay for cancer treatment to extend my life.

Living with cancer is horrible it's a roller coaster of emotions it has a massive affect on my husband and daughter who I rely on to take me to appointments along with my niece who steps in to help.

At the moment im well and managing to live a good quality of life in-between chemo but these pesky cells are unpredictable and you never know what's next.

Thank you for reading my story.

Xxx