I have had breast cancer and survived it, I think I suffered more mental anguish than physical , it was caught early and I had no spread, so I just have a very large scar and some scar tissue , so I know I was extremely lucky, it was found when I had a check up on the mobile screening unit. I have had 3 lumps removed from my breast prior to the real deal, and my mother also died of breast cancer.
My husband (Tomdog) has now been diagnosed with Liver Cancer and unless he gets funding for a new drug, his life will be cut short, we have lost the appeal for funding , we have been in the newspapers, radio and television, trying to highlight the case of this ridiculous system of funding which causes postcode lottery. I believe it is morally wrong to withhold a drug that you may benefit from on the grounds of cost, especially if you offer to help with the costs yourself (by selling assets), and they tell you if you do that you are unable to get any further treatment on the NHS. WHY? surely if you can put any money into helping the NHS that has to be a good thing, but not them, it is all or nothing, in a nutshell they will not provide treatment and they will not allow you to buy it either without taking away care that you are already getting. CRAZY.
Having had cancer and now being the partner of someone with cancer, for me it was easier to be the person with the cancer. I find it very frustrating not being able to do more than I do. Feels like I rage at the moon, try to engage people on what is happening to cancer sufferers but it feels like I am talking to empty vessels.
FormerMember
we have to appeal again, just time wasting as far as I am concerned, We are now in the
'go private at your peril' stage If we try and fund the drug privately they will withhold NHS treatment, what a wonderful system this is. I received a newspaper cutting this morning from a friend about' Cancer patients are urged to sue over NHS bills" it appeared in Tuesday 3rd June issue of The Daily Mail. I think we have to go down this line, pay for the treatment ourselves and join up with solicitors and a group of Doctors who are also challenging this called Doctors for Reform, and hope this issue gathers momentum against the Governments guidelines. Sad thing is this money could all be spent on drugs, and surely if you can afford to pay for top up/co-opt drugs then that must be of benefit to the NHs,because you are putting money in , not taking out, and those that cannot afford it will still be able to get it, they say it creates a two tier system, they are making it like that not us, they are forcing us to use this option because they will not help us, it is already in existence, how many people use their private medical care to go and see a consultant, then get their treatment on the NHs, look how many go to a private dentist nowadays because they cannot get treatment on the NHs, does that preclude you from getting NHs treatment in a hospital or at your doctors? I think not.
Have to stop now, I am in danger of falling of my soap box!
Yes, if the Government can use this to coerce people into thinking that they have to have private health insurance or they are unlikely to get the treatment they need, this is probably the reason for this idiotic refusal. That's the New Labour Weltanshauung - otherwise it's the Old Labour about morality of choice - that why should rich people be able to afford to pay for a drug to help them if poor people can't. The thing is though that most people have such high outgoings nowadays that even with the average salary you're not rich by the time all the bills are paid. It also really gets me that it's ok for people to spend money on a second home (when there are plenty of young people in rural areas consequently unable to afford to stay near their families, and no workers for essential services). It's ok for people to buy designer this, that and the other - that's just helping the economy (when really it's the camel and the eye of the needle). So why the bliddy hell isn't it ok for someone to spend money on what they really NEED? Yeh, just a load of crap this lot. Bet THEIR families get all the medical services they need - and that WE are paying for it. Sorry, Steefy - you're only falling off your soapbox because I've climbed on to join you. xxxx Penny
I have just been reading your blogg regarding the above subject,I feel I am in the same position as tomdog I was told yesterday that to give me more chemo would not be off much use to me,but my consultant said there is a new drug he would like to try to give me a bit longer life,but would have to apply for funding but informed me that there was not much chance of getting it I secondry bowel cancer that as spread to my liver,lungs and pelvic area I understand how you feel about this.
So sorry to learn that it has spread. It is a typical of what Matt and Tomdog have been higlighting in their petition about cancer dugs (have you signed this yet? It is in the Forum boxes to the right of the Forum topics). Steffy's husband has yet to be allowed ANY treatment at all, as the only drug that would be of any use to him is not sanctioned by the Government in his area despite pleas from his oncologist and his local Tory MP. What is your new drug called? It would be good if you could share the name with us here and maybe see if anyone else has had any success with obtaining it, or had their own doctor mention it. It is a terrible situation for you, your family and close friends to be in. With very best wishes xxxx Penny
