Immunotherapy Treatment Fund
Donation protected
On 14th July 2015 at 2.09pm (yes I remember the exact time) we were told my husband had Pancreatic Cancer. At that time my, our world collapsed. At 51 years of age being told you have Cancer and that there is not a lot that can be done to help you is devastating. Phil was 18 months away from retirement. He had completed over 28 years as a Police Sergeant in Nottinghamshire Police. We had plans and this cancer was and is taking them away from us. We were told Phil had only a short time to live, 3-6 months, Phil has a very positive outlook which is why he's still here living with Pancreatic Cancer.
After talking to the Doctors at both QMC Nottingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Phil decided to proceed with a massive operation called The Whipples Procedure in the hope that the cancer could be removed.
The operation date was set for 21st September 2015, the day before our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The operation would be done at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Unfortunately this operation was unsuccessful and Phil suffered many post- operative complications and spent 6 weeks in critical care being looked after by amazing nursing staff and doctors. On more than one occasion I was told that Phil would not survive. With the support of friends, family and our two amazing children Robert and Madeleine I was able to spend every minute by Phil's side. We came home at the end of October to start the process of getting Phil well enough to start Chemotherapy as this was and is still the treatment that is giving us time. Time is something that we don’t have a lot of. As I’m sure each and every one of you is aware Pancreatic Cancer has the worst survival rates with less than 4% surviving for 5 years or longer following diagnosis. Phil started Chemotherapy on 28th December 2015 and continues on a 14 day cycle. The chemotherapy is doing its job, well the best job we can hope for from chemotherapy alone. The cancer hasn’t grown and it hasn’t spread. Phil has just received his 17th cycle of treatment. This treatment will continue for however long Phil is coping with it and is well enough or until the cancer starts to grow and takes over.
My brother in law Richard and I have spent many hours researching treatment options across this country and also the world. We have investigated a number of options, spoken and visited doctors, and it would appear that our best and remaining option is Immunotherapy. This treatment will run alongside Phil's current chemotherapy. Immunotherapy is currently not available in this country for the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer so we will have to travel to Germany. We have spoken with doctors in Germany and along with Phils current treatment regime here at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham they are confident that they can treat Phil and put the cancer into remission. This treatment is very expensive and this is why I have decided to share my story as I now need everyone's help.
I need to raise £60000! This money can give my family and I much more time and could even save Phil's life.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses substances either made by the body or in a laboratory to improve or restore immune system function
The £60000 will mean Phil can travel to Germany a minimum of 5 times and receive the immunotherapy treatment that we hope will not only extend his life but also save it. It will also fund further treatments recommended
by the clinic.
After talking to the Doctors at both QMC Nottingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Phil decided to proceed with a massive operation called The Whipples Procedure in the hope that the cancer could be removed.
The operation date was set for 21st September 2015, the day before our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The operation would be done at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Unfortunately this operation was unsuccessful and Phil suffered many post- operative complications and spent 6 weeks in critical care being looked after by amazing nursing staff and doctors. On more than one occasion I was told that Phil would not survive. With the support of friends, family and our two amazing children Robert and Madeleine I was able to spend every minute by Phil's side. We came home at the end of October to start the process of getting Phil well enough to start Chemotherapy as this was and is still the treatment that is giving us time. Time is something that we don’t have a lot of. As I’m sure each and every one of you is aware Pancreatic Cancer has the worst survival rates with less than 4% surviving for 5 years or longer following diagnosis. Phil started Chemotherapy on 28th December 2015 and continues on a 14 day cycle. The chemotherapy is doing its job, well the best job we can hope for from chemotherapy alone. The cancer hasn’t grown and it hasn’t spread. Phil has just received his 17th cycle of treatment. This treatment will continue for however long Phil is coping with it and is well enough or until the cancer starts to grow and takes over.
My brother in law Richard and I have spent many hours researching treatment options across this country and also the world. We have investigated a number of options, spoken and visited doctors, and it would appear that our best and remaining option is Immunotherapy. This treatment will run alongside Phil's current chemotherapy. Immunotherapy is currently not available in this country for the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer so we will have to travel to Germany. We have spoken with doctors in Germany and along with Phils current treatment regime here at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham they are confident that they can treat Phil and put the cancer into remission. This treatment is very expensive and this is why I have decided to share my story as I now need everyone's help.
I need to raise £60000! This money can give my family and I much more time and could even save Phil's life.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses substances either made by the body or in a laboratory to improve or restore immune system function
The £60000 will mean Phil can travel to Germany a minimum of 5 times and receive the immunotherapy treatment that we hope will not only extend his life but also save it. It will also fund further treatments recommended
by the clinic.
Organizer
Adele Hogg
Organizer