The Fight
Irene was diagnosed in late 2000 with Dukes stage 2 bowel cancer. Later that year she had surgery to remove the cancerous tissue from her colon at Basildon Hospital. Irene received radiotherapy and chemotherapy as a precaution to try and stop the cancer re-occurring. Unfortunately she reacted badly to the treatment and her bowel function began to cease working. This reaction was serious enough for Irene to be transferred to Southend Hospital Cancer Unit and for her husband to be summoned to Southend Hospital in the middle of the night, because they thought she would not survive until the morning. He was also advised to recall their daughter from Southampton University because Irene was deteriorating so rapidly. Against all the odds Irene began to rally and her bowel function etc., started to improve. Irene later said that it was due to her survival 'mind over matter' attitude because she wanted to see her daughter graduate in the July.
Irene went through what was thought to be 5 years of remission until 2006, when she was told by doctors she was clear. In 2007, while in Italy on holiday with her husband, she complained of abdominal pain. At first Irene thought it was a gynaecological problem because she believed that she had beaten the cancer. However, after consultations and a scan, she was informed that the cancer had in fact spread to the opposite side of her bowel. Due to not having a scan post remission (after 5 years), the cancer had not in fact totally been eradicated but had spread through the lymphatic system and had grown slowly for 6 years. After being scanned in hospital it was deemed inoperable because there were too many blood vessels feeding the cancer. Dr Hugo Taylor, her surgeon, said that Irene would have bled to death had they operated.
The local oncologist could only offer two weeks of palliative care due to the advanced nature of the cancer. Irene sought a further consultation with Dr Hugo Taylor who stressed it was currently inoperable and referred her to Professor Neville Davidson, who took on Irene’s case. After an initial consultation Irene was given hope to win the fight. He organised a treatment programme for her, which involved a mixture of chemotherapy followed up with Avastin, Irinotecan and 5FU drugs. This combination of treatment was taken weekly for six weeks to shrink the cancer and stop it spreading. Unfortunately Irene reacted badly to the side of effects of the 5FU treatment, which caused hair loss and severe nausea. The consequence of the severe nausea meant that Irene was fatigued alongside the dramatic weight loss . To combat her hair loss, Irene went to Southend and cheerfully bought a wig. Despite the side effects of the drugs, Irene would not complain nor would she let it get her down because she expressed full hope and confidence in the treatment provided by Professor Davidson.
Irene also had a course of radiotherapy, which unfortunately brought about several marks to her body including on her elbows and face. This does not mean that everyone will be affected in this way, but Irene had a rare reaction to the radiotherapy and her body reacted in this manner. Despite this she did not complain once and still carried on as normal by continuing to go shopping and meeting friends etc. Unfortunately the chemotherapy impacted upon one of her kidneys and made it non-functional. Irene's positive spin on the situation was "I have another one which I think is working fine". However, this development meant that Irene's regime had to change. This led to Irene being prescribed doses of Oxaliplatinum and Capecitabine over the next six months . During this period Irene was also proactive by trying to find her own complimentary treatment through the medium of diet, and tried different juice concoctions including beetroot juice, wheat grass and carrot juice. Irene also religiously took Manuka Honey, which she found beneficial.
Due to increased cancer markers in Irene's fortnightly blood tests it was decided to try a new regime using a drug called Irinotecan. It is important to note that everyone reacts differently to drugs and everyone's cancer is different, but unfortunately for Irene it affected her working kidney's productivity. This prompted Professor Davidson to cease this regime after only one cycle and Irene was advised to have a stent fitted to ease her kidney function. This course of action was successful and gave her some quality of life for another 12 months. This willingness to try any new drugs or regimes, and to never give up despite the set backs, is one of the reasons many of her friends and family believe Irene to be inspirational. After 13 months, she was advised to have a second stent inserted to continue the good function of the remaining kidney that was by now showing signs of failure.
In late 2011, Irene developed a blood clot in one of the veins going to her heart. Despite a change in medication and having to come off her cancer drugs to treat this serious condition, Irene did not panic but just accepted it and took it in her stride.
Irene managed to survive 12 years with recurrent bowel cancer, which is totally unprecedented and probably a record for the UK or possibly the world, but eventually her body could not take the treatments any more. Every cancer is different and unfortunately in Irene's case stopping the cancer drugs meant that the cancer grew and facilitated her death. Irene was not special in the sense of not being a celebrity, just a normal good natured loving person, mother and wife. Irene showed us that even when confronted with the adversity of cancer, and its associated chemotherapy and drug related side effects, she would always continue taking her medication alongside being proactive and trying anything she could to prolong her life and beat the odds. Irene did not let the cancer beat her. Despite radiation burns and hair loss she would still try to lead a normal life by going out shopping, or to meet friends, in light make up and a wig.
It is important to set goals in your train of thought to beat serious illnesses like cancer because positive goals provide the motivation to carry on like in Irene's case. If you do this and never give up, there is always hope and a chance that you can beat this dreadful disease.
"MIND OVER MATTER"
Irene went through what was thought to be 5 years of remission until 2006, when she was told by doctors she was clear. In 2007, while in Italy on holiday with her husband, she complained of abdominal pain. At first Irene thought it was a gynaecological problem because she believed that she had beaten the cancer. However, after consultations and a scan, she was informed that the cancer had in fact spread to the opposite side of her bowel. Due to not having a scan post remission (after 5 years), the cancer had not in fact totally been eradicated but had spread through the lymphatic system and had grown slowly for 6 years. After being scanned in hospital it was deemed inoperable because there were too many blood vessels feeding the cancer. Dr Hugo Taylor, her surgeon, said that Irene would have bled to death had they operated.
The local oncologist could only offer two weeks of palliative care due to the advanced nature of the cancer. Irene sought a further consultation with Dr Hugo Taylor who stressed it was currently inoperable and referred her to Professor Neville Davidson, who took on Irene’s case. After an initial consultation Irene was given hope to win the fight. He organised a treatment programme for her, which involved a mixture of chemotherapy followed up with Avastin, Irinotecan and 5FU drugs. This combination of treatment was taken weekly for six weeks to shrink the cancer and stop it spreading. Unfortunately Irene reacted badly to the side of effects of the 5FU treatment, which caused hair loss and severe nausea. The consequence of the severe nausea meant that Irene was fatigued alongside the dramatic weight loss . To combat her hair loss, Irene went to Southend and cheerfully bought a wig. Despite the side effects of the drugs, Irene would not complain nor would she let it get her down because she expressed full hope and confidence in the treatment provided by Professor Davidson.
Irene also had a course of radiotherapy, which unfortunately brought about several marks to her body including on her elbows and face. This does not mean that everyone will be affected in this way, but Irene had a rare reaction to the radiotherapy and her body reacted in this manner. Despite this she did not complain once and still carried on as normal by continuing to go shopping and meeting friends etc. Unfortunately the chemotherapy impacted upon one of her kidneys and made it non-functional. Irene's positive spin on the situation was "I have another one which I think is working fine". However, this development meant that Irene's regime had to change. This led to Irene being prescribed doses of Oxaliplatinum and Capecitabine over the next six months . During this period Irene was also proactive by trying to find her own complimentary treatment through the medium of diet, and tried different juice concoctions including beetroot juice, wheat grass and carrot juice. Irene also religiously took Manuka Honey, which she found beneficial.
Due to increased cancer markers in Irene's fortnightly blood tests it was decided to try a new regime using a drug called Irinotecan. It is important to note that everyone reacts differently to drugs and everyone's cancer is different, but unfortunately for Irene it affected her working kidney's productivity. This prompted Professor Davidson to cease this regime after only one cycle and Irene was advised to have a stent fitted to ease her kidney function. This course of action was successful and gave her some quality of life for another 12 months. This willingness to try any new drugs or regimes, and to never give up despite the set backs, is one of the reasons many of her friends and family believe Irene to be inspirational. After 13 months, she was advised to have a second stent inserted to continue the good function of the remaining kidney that was by now showing signs of failure.
In late 2011, Irene developed a blood clot in one of the veins going to her heart. Despite a change in medication and having to come off her cancer drugs to treat this serious condition, Irene did not panic but just accepted it and took it in her stride.
Irene managed to survive 12 years with recurrent bowel cancer, which is totally unprecedented and probably a record for the UK or possibly the world, but eventually her body could not take the treatments any more. Every cancer is different and unfortunately in Irene's case stopping the cancer drugs meant that the cancer grew and facilitated her death. Irene was not special in the sense of not being a celebrity, just a normal good natured loving person, mother and wife. Irene showed us that even when confronted with the adversity of cancer, and its associated chemotherapy and drug related side effects, she would always continue taking her medication alongside being proactive and trying anything she could to prolong her life and beat the odds. Irene did not let the cancer beat her. Despite radiation burns and hair loss she would still try to lead a normal life by going out shopping, or to meet friends, in light make up and a wig.
It is important to set goals in your train of thought to beat serious illnesses like cancer because positive goals provide the motivation to carry on like in Irene's case. If you do this and never give up, there is always hope and a chance that you can beat this dreadful disease.
"MIND OVER MATTER"
