Sam & Katie - A Gift of Hope
My name is Katie and I wish to share with you all my best friends journey so far in battling cancer and to raise awareness of Cervical Cancer and bowel Cancer and also the alternative treatments available to Cancer patients.
I met Sam when I was 11 whilst on holiday and we've been best friends ever since. For over 20 years we have shared moments of laughter, tears, adventures and mischief and throughout the years have become more like sisters.
Sadly in 2010 aged 26, Sam was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and after numerous operations and treatment, over a period of six months, Sam went into remission.
In March 2014 the Cancer returned, this time in her bowel but brought with it many complications.
Sam was diagnosed with incurable cancer and underwent an operation to remove part of her bowel,leaving her with a colostomy. Unfortunately all the Cancer could not be removed and Sam underwent a gruelling series of chemotherapy treatments.
On one occasion Sam was too ill to have chemotherapy due to rapid weight loss. We were advised in November, that the tumour had successfully shrunk. Unfortunately within a month Sam developed further problems, the tumour had started growing again and had torn an opening in her bowel resulting in the tumour forcing its way through and to an opening in her back.Thus preventing her from having any further NHS treatment.
Sam's pain was unbearable and she was bedridden for the most part of four months.
As well as suffering physically Sam suffered emotionally and mentally, losing her hair and having to have a colostomy, being so weak and unable to walk but Sam's sheer determination, strength, courage and her willpower to live pulled her through these dark times.
The devastating news was given to Sam in April 2015, Sam's cancer was terminal, the family begged with the hospital to do whatever they could to save Sam's life but this was to no avail, they were informed that nothing more could be done for Sam, as no further treatment was available in this country.
Sam's family came away from the hospital heartbroken but determined that they would find a way to fight this dreadful disease.
Through avid research by her brother Jami, a Clinic was located in Bavaria. The Doctor required all of Sam's medical history before he could decide whether he could treat Sam.
To the absolute joy of the family the Doctor confirmed that he could do so, as he had been successful in many similar treatments before. The relief and gratitude of the family was overwhelming and arrangements were made for Sam to travel to Bavaria within 10 days.
Sam embraced her treatment with a vengeance, Cancer is a word that does not exist there, its about hope and positivity and each day Sam's strength and mental attitude to the disease became stronger through the daily treatments and utmost care of Dr Weber and his Team.
Sam was introduced to many other patients who also had previously been diagnosed as being terminally ill but were now returning for check ups, many years after their initial successful treatment, no longer carrying this so called death sentence and incurable disease.
The initial cost was borne by family members totaling over £9000. Sadly the medication cannot be issued in this Country therefore, the continued medication prescribed by Dr Weber has to be purchased from Germany, Dr Weber has advised that Sam has this continued medication, as the tumour has been shown to be shrinking. Therefore, the family have to continue purchasing the medication from Germany.
Sam's recovery so far has proved to beneficial but she requires further treatment in 10 weeks time.
As Sam's best friend and going through this dreadful journey with her, to see her smile, have hope and faith for the future, I feel that I want to do everything possible to raise funds to help Sam return to Bavaria, Germany for further treatment to enable her to look to the future without fear and despair.
Please, please could you all help me to do this for Sam, my best friend, my little sister.
