Claude's Cancer Crusade
Donation protected
Claude is a hard worker who would take on two jobs at once so that he could care for his family which included Carla 9 and Michael 12. In November 2011, their arduous and emotional journey started. After finishing his night shift at 5am, Claudio came home alarmed as he noticed blood in his urine. He and Jane, his wife and my sister, went to emergency and was told that it was a urinary tract infection. Claudio was prescribed a course of antibiotics which cleared the blood. They didn't think anything of it and like every other family, celebrated Christmas surrounded by the ones we loved.
On new year’s eve, Claudio told Jane that there was blood in his urine again. It was the colour of red wine and we knew something was wrong. So instead of celebrating the new year, they went back to the emergency department only to be told that it was the return of the urinary tract infection. Claudio was in excruciating pain, so we went to our local GP who thought that he may have clots in his bladder. They were advised to go back to hospital. A CT scan was ordered. The results were devastating. It hit us hard with a sense of shock and surrealism. Jane's husband, who was rarely sick, had a 15cm tumour on his kidney. The scan also showed that he had a horseshoe shaped kidney.
The week that followed was a blur and it was like we were living somebody else’s life. You hear about it but you never think it would happen to you. An uncountable number of doctors were in and out of our room, saying things to both of us that our brains were too shocked to comprehend. Scenarios were given and options were discussed, but it was surreal. The mix of emotions you experience when you discover someone you love has cancer, cannot be easily put to words. We were told that if the cancer was in his kidney, then he would need dialysis for the rest of his life. But all these scenarios couldn't be known for certain until after the surgery. The surgery was probably one of the worse days of my life. Sitting and waiting and not knowing what they have found is even worse than being given the news. Everyone prayed and fortunately, the tumour was removed successfully and 1/4 of his horse shoe kidney was saved so there was no need for dialysis. Our prayers were answered, or so we thought.
As there is no follow on treatment for kidney cancer, the doctors recommended that Claudio go on a clinical trial. It was a 3 year programme but after 12 months we were informed that there was a metastatic tumour in his lungs. He had to stop the trial and needed surgery immediately. His first operation was in May 2013, then in November they found another spot and so he had to have another operation. They were able to remove it.
When you are told that a loved one has cancer, every visit to the doctors sends a fear and sense of anxiety that no one can comprehend. In February 2014 after a scan, they were given news that no one wants to hear. They were told that the cancer had spread to his pelvis and brain. Claudio underwent radiotherapy and tried 2 chemo tablets. This process has a huge financial impact. They had to change roles and I have to take unpaid time off work. Fortunately, the radiotherapy has worked on his brain however both chemo tablets have been unsuccessful.
We were recently informed that there was a new drug that may assist in Claudio’s treatment, however it is not yet covered by the government's PBS scheme. The treatment per month is a staggering $6800. We are like a lot of struggling families, we have a mortgage, two small children and daily bills that sometimes we can’t meet. To add a monthly cost of $6800 on top is something we can’t even begin to contemplate. We currently have a fundraising campaign at http://www.sickortreat.org.au/campaign/7/claudio to raise funds for the medication.
However, as with many cancer sufferers, sometimes the family gets left behind. Im the sister in law and seeing my sister and her kids struggle is tough for all of us. Their kids need to have a future and while I cant do anything about the medication or Claudes cancer, I can do something to ensure there is some financial help for her kids and her. So I plead with you to donate as little or as much as you can. Michael is a very smart boy and I believe he might hold the key to cure cancer one day. Carla is still a little girl but I beleive she will contribute to society as she is quite artistic and creative. I want them to not feel the burden that cancer is given them. They are kids and dont deserve to go through this. If I can help them get the basics, I hope you can donate so I can help them cause I cant do it on my own.
On new year’s eve, Claudio told Jane that there was blood in his urine again. It was the colour of red wine and we knew something was wrong. So instead of celebrating the new year, they went back to the emergency department only to be told that it was the return of the urinary tract infection. Claudio was in excruciating pain, so we went to our local GP who thought that he may have clots in his bladder. They were advised to go back to hospital. A CT scan was ordered. The results were devastating. It hit us hard with a sense of shock and surrealism. Jane's husband, who was rarely sick, had a 15cm tumour on his kidney. The scan also showed that he had a horseshoe shaped kidney.
The week that followed was a blur and it was like we were living somebody else’s life. You hear about it but you never think it would happen to you. An uncountable number of doctors were in and out of our room, saying things to both of us that our brains were too shocked to comprehend. Scenarios were given and options were discussed, but it was surreal. The mix of emotions you experience when you discover someone you love has cancer, cannot be easily put to words. We were told that if the cancer was in his kidney, then he would need dialysis for the rest of his life. But all these scenarios couldn't be known for certain until after the surgery. The surgery was probably one of the worse days of my life. Sitting and waiting and not knowing what they have found is even worse than being given the news. Everyone prayed and fortunately, the tumour was removed successfully and 1/4 of his horse shoe kidney was saved so there was no need for dialysis. Our prayers were answered, or so we thought.
As there is no follow on treatment for kidney cancer, the doctors recommended that Claudio go on a clinical trial. It was a 3 year programme but after 12 months we were informed that there was a metastatic tumour in his lungs. He had to stop the trial and needed surgery immediately. His first operation was in May 2013, then in November they found another spot and so he had to have another operation. They were able to remove it.
When you are told that a loved one has cancer, every visit to the doctors sends a fear and sense of anxiety that no one can comprehend. In February 2014 after a scan, they were given news that no one wants to hear. They were told that the cancer had spread to his pelvis and brain. Claudio underwent radiotherapy and tried 2 chemo tablets. This process has a huge financial impact. They had to change roles and I have to take unpaid time off work. Fortunately, the radiotherapy has worked on his brain however both chemo tablets have been unsuccessful.
We were recently informed that there was a new drug that may assist in Claudio’s treatment, however it is not yet covered by the government's PBS scheme. The treatment per month is a staggering $6800. We are like a lot of struggling families, we have a mortgage, two small children and daily bills that sometimes we can’t meet. To add a monthly cost of $6800 on top is something we can’t even begin to contemplate. We currently have a fundraising campaign at http://www.sickortreat.org.au/campaign/7/claudio to raise funds for the medication.
However, as with many cancer sufferers, sometimes the family gets left behind. Im the sister in law and seeing my sister and her kids struggle is tough for all of us. Their kids need to have a future and while I cant do anything about the medication or Claudes cancer, I can do something to ensure there is some financial help for her kids and her. So I plead with you to donate as little or as much as you can. Michael is a very smart boy and I believe he might hold the key to cure cancer one day. Carla is still a little girl but I beleive she will contribute to society as she is quite artistic and creative. I want them to not feel the burden that cancer is given them. They are kids and dont deserve to go through this. If I can help them get the basics, I hope you can donate so I can help them cause I cant do it on my own.
Organizer
Sylvia Pastore
Organizer
Altona North, VIC