Cancer Treatment Fund
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family,
In January 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After diet and lifestyle interventions did not halt the tumour growth I decided to have it removed via lumpectomy in July. As my PET scan was clear before surgery I did not have any lymph nodes removed. I was especially relieved about this as I had an opportunity of a lifetime for me to perform a piano concerto with the Hills Symphony Orchestra a few months later that year.
All was going well and in December 2018 I achieved a clear thermograph scan showing no hot spots around the lumpectomy and so was very happy. However with the success I became less strict with my diet and believe that the IGF1 factors in milk kefir I was taking to heal my intestinal track re-triggered the tumour growth. Hard lesson! In the beginning of 2019 I started to develop more recurring pain symptoms and by end of April discovered through ultrasound that there were tumours growing underneath the surgical scar. More over the scan showed lymph node involvement. Faced with the prospect of a mastectomy plus full axillary clearance which would most likely result in lymphedema, plus radiation and chemotherapy post surgery I searched for other options, in particular hyperthermia and immunotherapy.
My dear friend Jess found a clinic in Austria which provides a combination of hyperthermia, check point inhibitors, low dose chemo as well as immunotherapy. They have produced amazing remission results for some of their stage 4 patients so I was very excited. My prognosis looks very good at this stage with this treatment protocol so I decided to go. The cost of this treatment is like half a mortgage due to the very high cost of immunotherapy drugs, however I am grateful to at least have this option. I have Jess to thank for saving my life! She is an amazing single mum battling stage 4 cancer and still has time for supporting others so please go to her page here ! I am so grateful that I won't have to do a mastectomy or axillary clearance and best case scenario is that I have a chance to be cancer free for life.
I want to be well for my family, for my friends, for my piano students so that I can continue serve and contribute to my community.
I am flying to Vienna on June 24th for 5 weeks treatment with my immediate family. We have, fortunately been able to raise most of the funds ourselves within my family to cover the estimated main cost of treatment. However there are many other costs like external scans and tests which are not yet covered, let alone travel and accommodation expenses. The cost of treatment is likely to blow out from the estimated costs so it is a bit nerve wracking.
Although reluctant to ask for financial help, many friends and family have asked me to set up this page so they can support for which I am ever grateful.
Everyone has their own set of struggles so please only consider contributing if it will not be to your detriment. Thank you for reading my story. Any support given will be gratefully received, in whatever form it comes.
With sincere thanks,
Colleen
In January 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After diet and lifestyle interventions did not halt the tumour growth I decided to have it removed via lumpectomy in July. As my PET scan was clear before surgery I did not have any lymph nodes removed. I was especially relieved about this as I had an opportunity of a lifetime for me to perform a piano concerto with the Hills Symphony Orchestra a few months later that year.
All was going well and in December 2018 I achieved a clear thermograph scan showing no hot spots around the lumpectomy and so was very happy. However with the success I became less strict with my diet and believe that the IGF1 factors in milk kefir I was taking to heal my intestinal track re-triggered the tumour growth. Hard lesson! In the beginning of 2019 I started to develop more recurring pain symptoms and by end of April discovered through ultrasound that there were tumours growing underneath the surgical scar. More over the scan showed lymph node involvement. Faced with the prospect of a mastectomy plus full axillary clearance which would most likely result in lymphedema, plus radiation and chemotherapy post surgery I searched for other options, in particular hyperthermia and immunotherapy.
My dear friend Jess found a clinic in Austria which provides a combination of hyperthermia, check point inhibitors, low dose chemo as well as immunotherapy. They have produced amazing remission results for some of their stage 4 patients so I was very excited. My prognosis looks very good at this stage with this treatment protocol so I decided to go. The cost of this treatment is like half a mortgage due to the very high cost of immunotherapy drugs, however I am grateful to at least have this option. I have Jess to thank for saving my life! She is an amazing single mum battling stage 4 cancer and still has time for supporting others so please go to her page here ! I am so grateful that I won't have to do a mastectomy or axillary clearance and best case scenario is that I have a chance to be cancer free for life.
I want to be well for my family, for my friends, for my piano students so that I can continue serve and contribute to my community.
I am flying to Vienna on June 24th for 5 weeks treatment with my immediate family. We have, fortunately been able to raise most of the funds ourselves within my family to cover the estimated main cost of treatment. However there are many other costs like external scans and tests which are not yet covered, let alone travel and accommodation expenses. The cost of treatment is likely to blow out from the estimated costs so it is a bit nerve wracking.
Although reluctant to ask for financial help, many friends and family have asked me to set up this page so they can support for which I am ever grateful.
Everyone has their own set of struggles so please only consider contributing if it will not be to your detriment. Thank you for reading my story. Any support given will be gratefully received, in whatever form it comes.
With sincere thanks,
Colleen
Organizer
Colleen Williams
Organizer
Kiara, WA