Steven Funeral
On Saturday 15th June, I lost my brother/twin Steven to lung cancer, he was only 27 years old... Before he died suddenly he wanted to do a gofundme page as he wanted to try a different treatment to cure is non-curable cancer. Below is what he wrote, however he was never able to start his page so I will do one for him to help with the cost of his funeral. His funeral will be on Friday 5th July and we would appreciate any contribution to give Steven the send off he deserves. Love you always brother. Your heartbroken sister Lauretta x
"Up until November 2018, I was just like any 27 year old normal guy, as a matter of a fact having a cold for more than a day was unusual for me. I remained healthy with no underlying conditions and had just started to plan my life, progress in my career and looking to start a family.
I had no health issues and generally enjoyed football on Sundays as well as spending time with my fiancé and friends. I was also progressing in my career, which involves helping those in sustainability and conflict from mineral trading.
MY DIAGNOSIS
With hard work and dedication, I have been trusted to travel for work around the world. Rwanda and China were the latest destinations.
Once I was back from Rwanda in October 2018, I started coughing unnoticeably for a month. Suddenly while at work, I started experiencing sharp and crippling pain in the chest area to the point where I was taken to Accident & Emergency by ambulance.
At the hospital, they first suspected pneumonia and I was given antibiotics and discharged twice.
However, thanks to Dr. Lanrey, from Luton and Dunstable Hospital Ambulatory Care - I really haven't met that type of doctor before providing he was the only doctor in the room who put his job on the line to call me back - further investigations were done against the bitter judgement of all senior oncologist involved, and on December 15th, 2018, I was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer. This alone gave me all the hope I needed as if further investigations were not done, I would have died by 2018.
MY LIFE WITH TERMINAL CANCER
Small Cell Lung Cancer accounts for 10% of all lung cancer and is rarely seen in young people. It is one of the most aggressive type of cancer and I was given 3 months to live if I did not agree to have chemotherapy. With chemotherapy, doctors would have been able to extend my life for additional 6 months.
I was started on chemotherapy on December 31.
I cannot remember the last four months of my life during chemotherapy as I was not really living. I lost 20kg weight and I have been bed bound because of the tiredness. Nausea and dizziness were on daily basis, to the point where I spent more time being admitted to hospital rather than in my own home.
My previous chemotherapy cycle, which happened on end of April, failed and the cancer started again to grow.
Chemotherapy left me now with depression and chronic tiredness due to anaemia. Also, due to chemotherapy, I lost all my confidence due to hair thinning and skin rashes.
After chemotherapy failed, I was not offered anything else and I decided to enquire about further options.
On May 2018, I attended a private consultation with a private oncologist, Dr. Polychronis, and the only treatment that was offered is immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy works by switching on the person's immune system to fight the cancer and it is my only chance to survive the disease. The estimated cost of immunotherapy is 250.000£ and even with family and close friends' help, I am not able to afford the full cost treatment.
Dr. Polychronis also advised to have the money in full before starting the treatment.
Immunotherapy is truly my last option in order to survive and carry on pursuing my dreams.
I still want to get married, have kids and see them grow up, and be successful in life and in my job, as a normal 27 year old man who just started dreaming and planning his life."
Thank you all for taking the time to read this and remember that every little helps and Steven and family will forever be grateful.
