Louise - Funding for life-prolonging treament

September 2019

Firstly, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everybody who has donated to this page.  The last few months have been incredibly hard for me but I have felt so very blessed by the amazing generosity and love I have received from family and friends, both old and new.  You have all given me such comfort and strength❤ .  I have also been overwhelmed by the support I have received from complete strangers – really, people’s kindness just continues to astound me.

To update you all – I have been receiving treatment for incurable cancer of the peritoneum.  I have been having chemotherapy every two weeks since April.  Each round of chemo requires travelling to London for three days of blood tests and consultations with doctors followed by three days in bed to recover from the chemo.  This cycle leaves me with a handful of days to enjoy life with my friends and family before the process starts all over again.  I am trying my best to fill this time with wonderful experiences and create memories with my loved ones.

Unfortunately, I have now received the difficult news that after 10 rounds of chemotherapy, my treatment is no longer working.  My cancer has spread and I now have some tumours in my liver.  There is a new combination of drugs available to help slow the cancer down and work to inhibit the aggressive gene mutation that I have.

Whilst it is marvellous that research has discovered the efficacy of these drugs, they are sadly not yet available on the NHS.  My cancer is stage 4 and this treatment is currently the best option available to me.  I am therefore hoping to raise funds to enable me to access this life-prolonging treatment.  

Thank you so much for your support.  There really are no words to express my gratitude.
Louise
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A MESSAGE FROM LOUISE’S FRIENDS
Our brilliant, loving, one-in-a-million friend Lou is the bravest and most selfless person we know.  Reaching out for support via this webpage has been very difficult for her because she is a private and exceptionally dignified person.  She puts other people’s worries, problems and fears before her own, and even in this time of immense physical and mental struggle against this terrible, terrible disease, she has never stopped looking after us, just as she did before.  We have persuaded her to let us add this extra bit to her update because we want everyone to know how much we love her and how desperate we are to make memories with her.  These drugs will give us the only thing we want – precious time with our wonderful friend.  So, this message is also a thank you from us, and truly from the bottom of our hearts.
❤
Eve, Jessie and Ashleigh

A note from Beth:
For those of us who love Louise, it is fantastic news that there is the option of these new drugs. I have changed the fundraising goal to include the cost of this life-prolonging treatment, as well as continuing to contribute to the original purpose: to enable her to take every opportunity she can to make memories. I know Louise is so very thankful for the wonderful experiences she’s had through these donations, and with continued support and generosity, I hope she can continue to share time and make memories with her loved ones.


May 2019
We're hoping to raise some money to help our wonderful friend Louise. Louise is turning 35 in the next week. She's a dedicated primary school teacher, a fierce friend, and she has a very close relationship with her family. She adores her two young nephews. She has recently had a second cancer diagnosis, having only just completed chemotherapy for the cancer she had last year. This time there is no cure.

Louise is determined to make memories with her family and friends and the money we raise could make a huge difference for her as she wants to take every opportunity to be with the people she loves and make the most of every day. 

The money will go towards:

- a family holiday with her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nephews who are 3 and 7

- being able to spend time with her many friends. This will involve travelling and accommodation costs as Louise has friends all over the country - and all over the world.

- the increased travel insurance that cancer patients have to pay

- a hot air balloon flight and / or other once-in-a-blue-moon experiences

- the cost of a specialist counsellor with experience of working with people with a cancer diagnosis. Counselling is available on the NHS, but unfortunately there is at least two months' wait.

- costs incurred by the frequent treatments, including travelling at least every two weeks for chemotherapy.

We love Louise immensely. She is a fantastic human: the most sociable, compassionate, fun friend anyone could hope for. Any help we can give will be truly significant for her and those who love her.

Thank you.