Faye's shave to raise
Donation protected
On 31st August 2018 I will be shaving my hair for 2 causes very close to my heart. All money raised will be shared 50/50 by them. For those of you who know me, thanks for reading, sharing and hopefully donating! For those who don't, my name is Faye, I'm a 37 year old married mum of 3 beautiful girls and I am a medical secretary at the Woodlands Centre, and thank you for reading, sharing and hopefully donating!
The Macmillan Woodlands Centre is the first of these wonderful causes. Most of you will know that this is my local oncology and haematology centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, and has been my place of work for a few years now. The staff there, and the work they all do, is truly incredible and I want to give something back.
Secondly, I will be supporting the Martin family. I have know Charlene and Neil for a few years, friends of friends, a few shared social occasions, that kind of thing. That all changed with a phone call I received at work in August 2017 from Charlene, who would now be one of the Woodlands Centre's patients, and with that our friendship has grown. Here is a little of her story in her words:
My name is Charlene Martin and I am 32 years old. I live locally with my husband and our 4 children. Back in April 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer with a spread to my liver. Thankfully, despite my advanced stage, my prognosis was good. The plans were put into place. First up was a bowel operation carried out by Mr Hariharan at Hinchingbrooke hospital. Surgery was successful, no stoma required and clear margins! I healed well and 7 ish weeks later I was off to Addenbrookes for surgery on my liver.
Again surgery was a success and clear margins were achieved. 8 weeks later came chemotherapy. 12 rounds was what I was scheduled for. Chemo started in September 2017, just after my youngest had turned 1. They were the hardest days of my life but I was determined to get through it! My husband had already taken 3 + months off work so after round 1 returned to work. Thankfully for me my friend Faye works at the Woodlands so she was able to pop in on me from time to time.
Chemo was due to finish in January but due to some set backs with bloods I actually finished in March 2018. My first clear scan followed. Unfortunately just 3 months later a scan revealed activity in my liver and possibly my bowel. The bowel was then given the all clear but my liver was not so lucky. At present I currently have 4 lesions in my liver that are not at present operable. The plan is to blast them for 3 months with chemo and review again further down the line but nothing is promised.
Having fought through 2 operations and chemo last year I am fully aware of what to expect.
Chemotherapy is difficult! Chemotherapy with 4 children is even harder! It means that not only does it make me poorly, it takes away from my children too! My 1 year old is stuck staring at the same 4 walls as me every other week.
My husband works full time to provide for us as a family, I am stuck in bed because I can’t move for fear of being sick and my kids are scattered around because I as their mother can’t look after them and I can’t go to work so daddy can be at home.
In hindsight we should have saved more throughout our lives but we are a young family who didn’t expect our lives to be turned upside down with a life threatening illness so early on this journey.
I am doing this with the full support of Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Charlene and her family, as well as my own family. All I hope to do is raise some funds and raise awareness and I hope everyone supports me in this in any way they can.
Once again, thank you for reading and please share!
Faye
The Macmillan Woodlands Centre is the first of these wonderful causes. Most of you will know that this is my local oncology and haematology centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, and has been my place of work for a few years now. The staff there, and the work they all do, is truly incredible and I want to give something back.
Secondly, I will be supporting the Martin family. I have know Charlene and Neil for a few years, friends of friends, a few shared social occasions, that kind of thing. That all changed with a phone call I received at work in August 2017 from Charlene, who would now be one of the Woodlands Centre's patients, and with that our friendship has grown. Here is a little of her story in her words:
My name is Charlene Martin and I am 32 years old. I live locally with my husband and our 4 children. Back in April 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer with a spread to my liver. Thankfully, despite my advanced stage, my prognosis was good. The plans were put into place. First up was a bowel operation carried out by Mr Hariharan at Hinchingbrooke hospital. Surgery was successful, no stoma required and clear margins! I healed well and 7 ish weeks later I was off to Addenbrookes for surgery on my liver.
Again surgery was a success and clear margins were achieved. 8 weeks later came chemotherapy. 12 rounds was what I was scheduled for. Chemo started in September 2017, just after my youngest had turned 1. They were the hardest days of my life but I was determined to get through it! My husband had already taken 3 + months off work so after round 1 returned to work. Thankfully for me my friend Faye works at the Woodlands so she was able to pop in on me from time to time.
Chemo was due to finish in January but due to some set backs with bloods I actually finished in March 2018. My first clear scan followed. Unfortunately just 3 months later a scan revealed activity in my liver and possibly my bowel. The bowel was then given the all clear but my liver was not so lucky. At present I currently have 4 lesions in my liver that are not at present operable. The plan is to blast them for 3 months with chemo and review again further down the line but nothing is promised.
Having fought through 2 operations and chemo last year I am fully aware of what to expect.
Chemotherapy is difficult! Chemotherapy with 4 children is even harder! It means that not only does it make me poorly, it takes away from my children too! My 1 year old is stuck staring at the same 4 walls as me every other week.
My husband works full time to provide for us as a family, I am stuck in bed because I can’t move for fear of being sick and my kids are scattered around because I as their mother can’t look after them and I can’t go to work so daddy can be at home.
In hindsight we should have saved more throughout our lives but we are a young family who didn’t expect our lives to be turned upside down with a life threatening illness so early on this journey.
I am doing this with the full support of Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Charlene and her family, as well as my own family. All I hope to do is raise some funds and raise awareness and I hope everyone supports me in this in any way they can.
Once again, thank you for reading and please share!
Faye
Organizer
Faye Jarman
Organizer
England
