Support for 12-20 months of Cancer Treament Programmes

Hi Fiona Watson here. I'm dealing with the unexpected, which unfortunately has turned out worse than the initial Breast Cancer diagnosis, and so required a series of different treatments. I've been unsuccessful with my insurance company, whom initially said the cover is up to USD$50,000. Then rescinded and will not cover any costs. Ah.

BACKGROUND STORY:

I have Breast Cancer. It arrived quickly! Surprise for me. (If you want, skip to STATUS :)

At Christmas time I noticed an anomaly. Started to notice more end of February. Bit the bullet and had MRI, Mammogram, then based on those results a biopsy in March.

Result: Cancer, but with a mastectomy (1 breast) it should be clear, as I'd caught it early. Great news. This is a procedure they cannot fulfill on Koh Samui where I live. There are many amazing government and private hospitals here, but no Oncologist or "the proper tools" to quote the consulting surgeon. So I was recommended to contact Suratthani Cancer Hospital (SCH) on the mainland for treatment. This is an awesome public cancer hospital - with one of the best world rankings. A 4 hour travel commute each way, but worth it.

I had the first surgery in April - mastectomy as planned. But when I awoke they told me they had to remove some Lymph nodes also, therefore I need chemotherapy and treatments for GRADE 3 cancer. A surprise. Again.

Follow up CT and Bone Scan showed no metastasis (spread) of the cancer. Relief.

But Pathology report showed 2 MORE surprises for me.

HER2 protein graded as 30% intense.

Ki67 rating of up to 80%

Translated - these are 2 complications that increase the replication rate and spread of cancer cells. Any grade over 20% is considered serious in just 1 of these. So I do things in style as ever.

TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS:

4 surgeries (done)

Chemotherapy 8 cycles every 3 weeks in Suratthani Cancer Hospital (SCH). Takes up to start of December

Radiotherapy 25-30 cycles after chemo finished - but every day, so I will need to move near to the SCH in the Jungle for a month - which will be over Xmas, New Year and my Birthday. Lovely.

Hormone Therapy to treat HER2 and Ki16 complications 18 cycles every 3 weeks - so around 1 year.

STATUS:

I'm STAYING STRONG - nutrition and protein supplements, no booze (wow...), healthy home fresh cooking, antisocially avoiding gatherings as weak immune system, and rehab to rebuild range of movement and strength from the physical operations. And I still have my sense of humor and irony nice and strong :)

Chemo ongoing - coping pretty well at the moment actually.

However- the crunch - to ensure I can receive the full treatment plan, I need some funding to help out. So I need to swallow my pride, put my beloved independence back-of-mind, and ask for support to be able to complete AS MUCH OF the treatment plan as possible.

SO:

This is tough for me to open up about it. But if you can help with funding in any way, I actually do need it! And wow, will I appreciate it to get over this series of surprises. I am blessed to have many global friends. Some of whom also have lived through/are going through/have friends and family with the cancer scare, to whom my heart goes out to. I'm not unique. And to be honest, if it wasn't for my insurance situation, I would not share so much details and bother people to be honest.

Reaching out - lets see what happens.

Thank you global family.

Cheers,

Fi