Daughter of Les & Joan Allan and sister to Chris, Katie originated from Belfast and settled in Fradley, Staffordshire with husband, Stuart, and two children, Sam and Sophie.

Katie wrote this blog to share her story, improve awareness and spread inspiration & positivity amongst families, friends and others 'battling cancer - one day at a time'

Katie Scarbrough
04 March 1981 - 02 May 2013

One Big Nightmare!!

I’ve been sitting here wondering how I am supposed to put what I’m about to say in words, but there is no easy way. Some people may think its inappropriate, but I don’t really care as I have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed off.

Yesterday, Stuart and I went to the hospital to get the results of the CT Scan I had a week ago. Deep down I knew it wasn’t going to be good news. You can try and be as positive as possible but deep down you have to listen to how your body is feeling. My Consultant took us into her room with my Oncology Nurse and told us that my tumors have become more dense and my ovaries more enlarged. The Chemotherapy I have been having to tackle Bowel Cancer hasn’t worked. This makes them think that the biopsy I had months back was wrong even though the histology pointed towards the Bowel being the primary source. We were given two options do nothing and I would have 6 months (apparently this is something they have to offer in case you don’t feel up to more Chemo) or try a Chemotherapy which targets the Ovaries. However, there is no guarantee this is going to work.  I asked about them operating and removing my ovaries and they said they couldn’t guarantee I’d wake up from it and any type of operation would delay treatment as I would have to recover first.

I have no option but to try the Chemotherapy. This time I will lose my hair and the side effects are more or less the same as before. The treatment is called Paclitaxel and Carboplatin and I will have it every 3 weeks starting next Wednesday.

On top of all that after my arm going blue over the weekend I’ve been told I have a blood clot in my Hickman Line which showed up on the CT a week ago but I only got told on Tuesday afternoon. It’s all a big mess!! So I am having my Hickman Line taken out tomorrow.

Needless to say Stuart and I and our whole family are devastated. I am angry that it has come to this, but we have to keep the fight going. If only my Crohn’s doctor had just listened to me in April, maybe it would have been caught earlier!!

xxxxxx

 

 

15 Comments

  • Kath Webb Says

    Oh Katie, I am so, so sorry to read that the chemo hasn’t worked. I’m a bit at a loss what to write. You are such a brave lady to go through it again, although like you say the other option doesn’t bear thinking about.

    I know you have your family around you but if you ever need any help or want Sophie to come and play (Rosie would love that) then let me know.

    Thinking of you all xxxxx

  • David Cox Says

    Stay strong, keep fighting x

  • alice Says

    Keep fighting Katie, your a strong girl and you have great support from your family & friends xxx

  • Natalie Cox Says

    Fucking Hell Katie…..sorry I don’t normally swear but I am so touched by your update. I admire you so very much for taking the next step and giving the chemo a shot, a lot of people wouldn’t.

    I cannot say a lot more to make you feel any better but really just wanted to let you know as always you are very much in my thoughts and I am sending much love for you Stuart, Sam, Sophie, and the rest of yor family.

    As always I am happy to help out in any way possible, even if its getting some shopping, running the vac round, having Sophie come to play with Joseph. I know you don’t like to ask but you ‘must’. You have an army of people willing to help you through this so please let us in any way we can.

    I do not see anything wrong in the way you have communicated this. It cannot have been easy to sit there and put into word, but I believe you have done so very well.

    (((((((((HUGS))))))))
    X x x x x x x x x

  • Edina Says

    Oh Dear Katie, it’s a terrible news, but you have to stay even stronger now! My friend, who had cancer in her early 20’s had to go through hell (operation & chemotherapy with all its side effects) before she got better. Now she has been cleared for 3 years. Her hair & eyebrows grew back and she feels good and healthy again. Be positive and carry on fighting! Sending you all my best wishes and love, Edina

  • Kiersty Says

    So sorry to hear your update. Lots of love to you and the family. xxx

  • Gareth McCullough Says

    Katie, kelly & I are saying a little prayer for you and your family, stay strong.

  • Janette Says

    Sorry to hear this news Katie. Please keep being strong . We are both thinking of you xxx

  • Dear Katie,
    life’s a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I am so sorry to read your latest update I am sure your positivity has taken a beating but you have a great husband in Stuart two beautiful children and a family who love you and will fight with you until you recover.
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Love
    Christine, Kenny and Emma xxxx

  • James Calvert Says

    Katie,

    This really sucks! I heard the news from my dad after he talked on the phone with your dad.

    We are all glad to hear you are going to fight this and our prayers will be with you.

    May all the positive thoughts surrounding you, chemo and some luck help you get through this.

    From all of us here,

    Love James, Cindy, Emily, Lauren, Norman, Nora, Raymond, Mim, Ian, Rowan, Finn and Ellie.

  • emma hadley Says

    Katie the fight’s moved up a gear and i truly believe you will win it, you have already shown how much strength by enduring what you have so far and choosing to share it all with us. You have an amazing support network behind you in Stuart, Sam, Sophie and your family and friends – we will all hold you up. Your courage in the face of adversity is inspiring and a lesson to us all. Keep going Katie xx lots of love xx

  • liz ward Says

    Hi Katie devastated to read this,such a loving family you are,Family is the help you need to get through this and you are well loved by them all,Stay strong,I know it’s not easy to say when you are at your all time low,who knows the new treatment may help and losing your hair is not bad think of all the shampoo you will save,I often ask scott how you are.
    take care.xxx

  • Stay Strong Katie everybody is fighting it with you even people you have never met are all behind you sending all there positive vibes your way Keep fighting lots of love Naomi xx

  • joey bell Says

    hi this is a college friend of debbie’s. I wanted to tell you im sorry about the update. Stay strong and keep fighting. I will be praying for you!

  • susan gilmour Says

    Thinking of you all–noticed that there havent been any posts recently—-be strong all of you xx

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