Chris and the BIG C

My name is Chris, I’m 38 and live in Hinckley, Leicestershire with my wife Elise. I also have a daughter who is 11 years old, her name is Isabella. I married Elise in October of 2018, it was a fabulous day followed by a lovely honeymoon, but it couldn't prepare me for what was about to unfold.

Within weeks of our honeymoon, around Christmas in fact, I just didn't feel right in myself relating to ongoing issues with my stomach. After a few appointments with the GP, taking me up to May 2019, I was referred to have a Colonoscopy,  a CT and MRI  scan.

I received the shocking news in June of 2019 that I unfortunately have Bowel Cancer which has mestated into my Liver, this was the last thing we expected to hear. Through two separate biopsies it was also confirmed that I am BRAF mutation - meaning I represent approximately 10% of all patients diagnosed with Bowel Cancer today.

BRAF tumours are notoriously difficult to treat and are known to be hugely aggressive in their activity. I have multiple tumour sites across my liver spread on both sides; this means the option of Radiotherapy is sadly not available to me. Surgery is also very difficult, the spread on the sites and the need to stop any treatment leading up to and following surgery (which is standard practise) - with my specific type of cancer, it is likely to spread faster and take hold of my system which makes the option of a surgery impossible yet impractical. 

I have been on Chemotherapy for 6 months now which I receive every two weeks at the George Elliott Hospital in Warwickshire. Up to this point my treatment appears to have had the desired effect. My primary tumour site was considered to be reduced in size and the sites across the liver also confirmed as smaller in diameter.

At some point, without exception, my Cancer WILL stop responding to the Chemo. This is because BRAF tumours have the ability to mutate and become resistant to the treatment and I need another option to continue my treatment to fight this. 

There is an option for an alternative treatment plan but this is currently not on the NHS - it is privately funded. The trial I have discussed with my Oncologist was initiated around 2 years ago now with good results being observed in many of those BRAF patients taking part. The NHS are currently reviewing the feasibility of offering this treatment to certain patients, of which I am told I am an ideal candidate, but this may well take some time with a decision expected in the early part of 2021.

To fund the treatment privately, the approximate cost currently sits at around £16,000 PCM with at least 3 months treatment required. A minimum total cost of £48,000 is therefore expected with the likelihood of further ongoing treatment required.

Raising funds to initiate this treatment plan sooner rather than later would be a huge benefit to myself and I’m sure a big relief to my family and friends alike.

I intend to organise several fundraising activities within the next 12 months which I will share on this forum. I’ve never asked anybody for financial support in my life, but the possibility of raising these funds myself is simply out of reach.......which is why I'm setting up this page.

Should I achieve more funds than my treatment costs require, I will donate any remainder to Bowel Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

I'm grateful for any and all help I receive most especially from my wife, my family,  friends, colleagues, from my Oncologist and Macmillan Cancer Support.