Hello! 

(Traduction en français en bas de texte anglais)

For those of you who don't know me, I am Claire's niece Megan, we are launching this fundraiser for our beloved Claire. 

Claire was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer that has spread to her liver. This news has left Claire and all who know her in utter shock. As many of you are aware, Claire leads an incredibly healthy lifestyle, generously gives of herself, and rarely experiences illness! She is not one to ask for much at all. We believe that by creating this funding campaign, we can offer her the best support during this challenging time, bringing our community together around her.

Claire's profession revolves around healing others through Ayurvedic massages and treatments. Unfortunately, at this moment, she is unable to continue her work, as it is now time for her to focus on her own healing journey.

Claire and her oncologist believe her best chance of overcoming this illness lies in a combination of conventional and complementary medicine protocols, some of which will not be covered by her health insurance.

Already, she has begun some of these complementary treatments designed to prepare her body to cope with chemotherapy effectively. These therapies have started yielding benefits for her. However, they require regular visits to an Integrative Medical Doctor and an oncologist in Paris, which entails train travel, overnight accommodation, as well as trips to a clinic in Belgium for treatments that are not available in France.

At present, we do not know how long these treatments will be required; this is just the beginning of her journey. We will keep you updated on her progress and any related costs as more information becomes available.

We understand that many of you are eager to support Claire, as she is cherished by so many. We know that if we all lend her support. Every contribution, no matter how small, will bring Claire closer to the care she needs. If you cannot donate, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share this campaign with your friends and family.

We genuinely hope that Claire and Mikee will feel relieved from financial stress in addition to the uncertainties surrounding her health.

Thank you from the depths of our hearts for standing by Claire during this time!

Traduction en Français

Update 8 March

Claire has now had several sessions with her Doctor of Integrative Medicine, which have significantly helped prepare her body for her first chemotherapy session. She has received the results back from her RGCC test, which have identified the chemotherapy that will work best for her specific cancer type, which is complex, as well as the plant medicines that will aid in weakening the cancer cells. These are very positive developments. Her first chemotherapy session took place on 5th March, and she is feeling okay after what was a significant step for her. She is following a Ketogenic Diet, eliminating all sugars and carbohydrates, which will also help weaken the cancer cells, and is doing her best to maintain her fitness and health at this time.

Claire a maintenant eu plusieurs séances avec son docteur en médecine intégrative, qui ont considérablement aidé à préparer son corps pour sa première séance de chimiothérapie. Elle a reçu les résultats de son test RGCC, qui ont permis d'identifier la chimiothérapie la plus efficace pour son type de cancer spécifique, qui est complexe, ainsi que les plantes médicinales qui l'aideront à affaiblir les cellules cancéreuses. Il s'agit là de développements très positifs. Sa première séance de chimiothérapie a eu lieu le 5 mars et elle se sent bien après cette étape importante pour elle. Elle suit un régime Ketogenic, éliminant tous les sucres et les glucides, ce qui contribuera également à affaiblir les cellules cancéreuses, et fait de son mieux pour rester en forme et maintenir sa santé dans la meilleur état possible.

Update 20 March

Claire has now had her PAC implant installed which will enable her to receive her chemotherapy via a pump rather than directly into the vein which means she only has to be in the hospital for a few hours each time. Her 2nd chemotherapy session was yesterday. She is continuing her booster sessions with Doctor and will be going to Belgium next week for her first two Ozone therapy sessions to help oxygenate her blood which not only makes the chemotherapy more effective but will help her with the secondary affects of the chemotherapy.

Claire a maintenant reçu son implant PAC qui lui permettra de recevoir sa chimiothérapie via une pompe plutôt que directement dans la veine, ce qui signifie qu'elle ne doit rester à l'hôpital que quelques heures à chaque fois. Sa deuxième séance de chimiothérapie a eu lieu hier. Elle continue les séances avec le docteur de médecin integrative pour booster sa système immunitaire et se rendra en Belgique la semaine prochaine pour ses deux premières séances d'ozonothérapie afin d'aider à oxygéner son sang, ce qui non seulement rend la chimiothérapie plus efficace mais l'aide à combattre les effets secondaires de la chimiothérapie.

29 March

Hi, Claire here, thank you all so much who have donated, thanks to you I have been for my first two Ozone Therapy sessions in La Hulpe, and will be able to continue to visit the clinic.  I was accompanied by my amazing friend Sarah who looked after me, insisted on carrying my suitcase up all the stairways, cooked for me and kept me smiling. The team at Ozone 2000 are lovely and made me feel very at ease. The therapy went really well due to my "excellent veins"! and the fact that my blood flows so well, thanks to the supplements I have been taking.  A couple of small side affects after the treatment which is understandable as it gets rid of the old blood cells and detoxes the body but generally I feel more energized and that will continue to increase.  I really am so grateful to everyone for their  heartfelt messages of support which are so important to me and Mikee. 

Hello, c'est Claire, merci à tous ceux qui ont fait des dons, grâce à vous j'ai pu bénéficier de mes deux premières séances d'ozonothérapie à La Hulpe, et je vais pouvoir continuer à me rendre à la clinique. J'étais accompagnée par ma formidable amie Sarah qui s'est occupée de moi, a insisté pour porter ma valise dans tous les escaliers, a cuisiné pour moi et m'a permis de garder le sourire. L'équipe d'Ozone 2000 est adorable et m'a mise à l'aise. La thérapie s'est très bien déroulée grâce à mes « excellentes veines » ! et au fait que mon sang circule très bien, grâce aux suppléments que je prends. Quelques petits effets secondaires après le traitement, ce qui est compréhensible puisqu'il permet de se débarrasser des vieilles cellules sanguines et de désintoxiquer le corps, mais en général, je me sens plus énergique et cela va continuer à augmenter. Je suis vraiment très reconnaissante à tout le monde pour leurs messages de soutien sincères qui sont si importants pour moi et Mikee.

8 April

Claire has had her 3rd chemo session and the great news is that her cancer markers have started to come down quite significantly. She still has a long way to go yet as her markers are still high and Ovarian Cancer is notoriously difficult to get rid of, which is why the complementary therapies are so important to her, to keep her immune system strong and her gut microbiome in top shape. A second session of Ozone Therapy is booked for just after Easter at which time she also has a meeting with one of the doctors at the centre who is studying her case in detail to see what else can be done, as well as the chemotherapy, to reduce the cancer cells, all this is being done with the backing of her oncologist which helps so much. Although she has moments of fatigue after the chemo, her physical energy remains good and her positive energy astounds us. She is however being careful to rest when needed. So thank you once again to all of you who have enabled Claire to take the treatments that she needs, its hard to express how grateful we are.

Claire a eu sa troisième séance de chimiothérapie et la bonne nouvelle est que ses marqueurs de cancer ont commencé à baisser de manière significative. C'est pourquoi les thérapies complémentaires sont si importantes pour elle, afin de maintenir son système immunitaire fort et son microbiome intestinal en pleine forme. Une deuxième séance d'ozonothérapie est prévue juste après Pâques. Elle a alors rendez-vous avec l'un des médecins du centre qui étudie son cas en détail pour voir ce qui peut être fait d'autre, en plus de la chimiothérapie, pour réduire les cellules cancéreuses, tout cela avec le soutien de son oncologue, ce qui est très utile. Bien qu'elle ait des moments de fatigue après la chimiothérapie, son énergie physique reste bonne et son énergie positive nous surprend. Elle fait cependant attention à se reposer lorsque c'est nécessaire. Merci encore à tous ceux qui ont permis à Claire de suivre les traitements dont elle a besoin, il est difficile d'exprimer à quel point nous sommes reconnaissants.

IT HAS COME TO OUR NOTICE THAT SOME BANKS ARE REFUSING PAYMENTS DUE TO SECURITY AND THINKING THIS IS FRAUDULANT. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THIS IS CAUSING. PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF THIS IS THE CASE.

WE ARE SO TRUELY APPRECIATIVE OF ALL THE HELP AND LOVE WE ARE RECEIVING.

7 JULY

The latest PET scan, after 7 sessions of chemo, has shown that the ovarian cancer is in regression, as are the lesions on the liver. The cancer in the colon has stayed at the same level. The lesion on her 7th cervical vertebra hasn't reduced and has caused a fracture of the vertebra. This caused a nerve to be compressed which caused Claire a lot of pain in her shoulder and has also reduced the motility of her right arm. Since her last consultation a few days ago she has been prescribed stronger pain killers which have reduced the pain to a more bearable level. She is continuing chemotherapy, orally this time, to target the colon more effectively.

Off to Paris again tomorrow for a vertebra-pasty operation to strengthen and stabilise the vertebra to take the pressure off the nerve.

Following that on the 23rd of July she will undergo a preparation for radiotherapy to determine the precise size and location of the lesion before starting 5 days of  radiotherapy probably a week later. 

In spite all of this Claire is still looking amazing but she's a bit of a skinny rake having lost 7 kilos. Her weight has now stabilised at 50kg. She has incredible stamina but also bouts of fatigue understandibly considering all the to-ing and fro-ing as well as the effects of the medication and lack of sleep.

Claire is eternally grateful for everybody's support and contributions towards the cost of the treatments. She is also extremely grateful to the oncology team and all the health workers doing their utmost to help her through this challenging healing process.

Traduction en français

Le dernier PET scan, après 7 séances de chimio, a montré que le cancer des ovaires est en régression, ainsi que les lésions du foie. Le cancer du côlon est resté au même niveau. La lésion de la 7e vertèbre cervicale n'a pas diminué et a provoqué une fracture de la vertèbre. Cela a entraîné la compression d'un nerf, ce qui a causé à Claire une forte douleur à l'épaule et a également réduit la mobilité de son bras droit. Depuis sa dernière consultation, il y a quelques jours, on lui a prescrit des analgésiques plus puissants qui ont réduit la douleur à un niveau plus supportable. Elle poursuit sa chimiothérapie, par voie orale cette fois, afin de mieux cibler le côlon.

Demain, elle sera de nouveau à Paris pour une opération de plastie vertébrale visant à renforcer et à stabiliser la vertèbre afin d'alléger la pression sur le nerf.

Ensuite, le 23 juillet, elle subira une préparation à la radiothérapie afin de déterminer la taille et l'emplacement précis de la lésion avant de commencer une radiothérapie de 5 jours, probablement une semaine plus tard.

Malgré tout cela, Claire a toujours l'air en pleine forme, mais elle est un peu maigre car elle a perdu 7 kilos. Son poids s'est stabilisé à 50 kg. Elle a une endurance incroyable mais aussi des coups de fatigue, ce qui est compréhensible compte tenu de tous les va-et-vient, des effets des médicaments et du manque de sommeil.

Claire est éternellement reconnaissante à tous pour leur soutien et leur contribution au coût des traitements. Elle est également extrêmement reconnaissante à l'équipe d'oncologie et à tous les travailleurs de la santé qui ont participé à la prise en charge de la maladie.

20 August

Hi There Claire here....

Well that summer flew by. Unfortunately most of mine was spent in Paris having either chemo or radiotherapy rather than enjoying the glorious Breton countryside however it is for the greater good, and despite that I still managed to enjoy time in the countryside and at the coast. So I consider myself blessed to be living in such an amazing place. I underwent 6 radiotherapy sessions to kill off the tumour that had taken residence next to my C7 vertebrae. The vertoplastie operation went very well and I was so so lucky to have the most amazing and brilliant neurologist who, according to my radiologist, had to undertake a very tricky and delicate operation of reconstructing my vertebrae which had pretty much disintegrated without damaging all the nerves that pass through it or damaging my spinal cord. She said I was lucky he is brilliant, and I thank goodness for that everyday, as things could have turned out very differently. I had been in a lot of pain, and had to take some pretty strong pain killers for a while. After a weeks rest I was then programmed in for my radiotherapy sessions with, once again, another brilliant doctor who is a radiologist and oncologist, and I once again found myself at one of the best clinics in Paris. I really feel that there is someone up there looking after me. The radiotherapy reduced the pain in my arm and shoulder almost immediately but has caused a few side effects which I know will disappear. The Dr warned me of this as radiotherapy causes inflammation in the area that is being zapped. So I had, and still have, inflammation in my throat which affects my swallowing which t the moment is being controlled by cortisone. On the grand scheme of things it's nothing only a little irritating. What however did cause me a major set back was a very nasty chest infection and violent cough which caused me to put my back out! As well as this, I decided maybe unwisely to go paddle boarding and put a rib out whilst trying to pull myself on to the board. So a violent cough which back pain and a popped rib! At least it took my mind off the cancer. Once again I found the most amazing Osteopath in Paris, who got my rib back in straight away and then started working on the rest of my body. He said the tension had been in my body for many years but the relief he gave me in just one session was incredible. He worked on me vertebrae bu vertebrae releasing the tension and facia. The second session pretty much got rid of 80% of the pain and by the 3rd session I was pain free. I will however continue to see him once a month as he is going to help me get my strength back and rebuild my muscle mass. Exercise is incredibly important when you have cancer so I have started to build an exercise plan into my day. This small blip of the tumour on my vertebrae has somewhat disrupted the rest of my healing process so I havent been to the clinic in Belgium for a couple of months. However I have an online meeting schedules with my Dr at the clinic and we are going to discuss my next course of action. I will be following the Jane McLelland protocol of blocking the cancer/tumor building pathways using her system of what is called a metro map. Its far too complicated to try and explain here but I implore any of you who know of people with cancer to look up this protocol. I has been proven again and again to work by cancer survivors. This process is done by using natural products such as cur cumin, berberine, melatonin, etc plus what are described as "off label" drugs, which are drugs used for other illnesses but that also work on blocking cancer nourishing pathways. All of this will be done with the full knowledge of my oncologist who supports this approach.

So today I'm off again to Paris for a chemo session tomorrow and then coming straight home afterwards to benefit for the last part of the summer. Now the radiotherapy is finished I will have a full 10 days at home which will be amazing. It will take at least 3 weeks before I feel the full benefit of the radiotherapy as it continues to do its job. One thing I didn't mention was that it was imperative that I didn't move during the radiotherapy as the tumour is right next my spinal chord so I had to wear a mask that was moulded exactly to the top part of my body down to my shoulders. This was put on to me and screwed to the table!!! Being slightly claustrophobic this did concern me. However I used the session as a moment of meditation, breathed deeply (trying not to have a coughing fit) and chanted the heal thing mantra over and over, and in the end I found the process quite relaxing! 

So I am generally remaining positive, however I do have moments of feeling scared and lost, but that's only to be expected. I am eternally grateful to all of you who have contributed and continue to contribute. I don't know how I will ever thank you all enough. With much love ..... Claire

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