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| Hello! My name is Irene Bickford. I would like to tell you my story about my cancer. |
| In 1997 I developed a small sore near my right nostril. I had it tested and it was diagnosed as a sweat gland tumor. I had a very small operation to remove it. The pathology report told us it was all clear. Approximately two years later it returned and I had another small operation. Once again the pathology report said it was all clear. After having two operations, nothing was mentioned about any further treatment or check-ups. |
| Then in October 2001 I went to my doctor with an unrelated medical complaint. While I was there I drew his attention to what I thought was a blind pimple that I had noticed only a few days earlier. However, it wasn't a blind pimple and I had to go straight to Perth for a visit to the specialist. A biopsy diagnosed it as being another sweat gland tumor - but this time it was large. I couldn't believe it as I had only felt a minute thing which I thought was a pimple. |
| I had surgery as soon as the pathology report was ready. On the 7th of November I underwent 12 hours of surgery to remove the tumor. They took a donor site from my left forearm muscle and put it on my face, which left me with a patch on my face. Then they took a graft from my leg to put on my arm. Unfortunately I contracted golden staphe in my leg which required a lot of strong antibiotics and about three months to heal. |
| I was told that I had to have radiation on my face and that there was no other choice. Since I didn't know anything about cancer I naturally did as I was told. |
| Radiation was set to begin on the 2nd of January 2002 as the healing from the operation had to be right before they could start. The first visit was called planning the treatment. I needed a mask made for my face. Then I was told what would take place. Isn't it funny, from day one, I had a gut feeling that something was wrong. But I went along with the help of my wonderful family. My sister Vicki, sister-in-laws Annette and Maralyne, brother Ron, Aunty Doreen and nieces. Also, my beautiful and wonderful mother, Murial Palmer, who has since died of cancer as it was too late for Doctor Holt's treatment. My darling husband had to stay on our property but came to Perth as often as he could. Each of my children travelled hours from the country to see me as well. Every time I went to the radiation clinic I asked the same questions like "what aren't you telling me about this treatment?" The answer was always "nothing at all" and that everything would be alright. Then on the 12th day I asked again. I was feeling very angry that day. I cornered the doctor and stood right in his face. My sister-in-law thought I was going to hit him. She too was very wild when she heard him finally answer my question. His reply this time was "you will only lose your eye, why worry, you'll still have one good one". |
| I had previously been told that I might lose my eye to the tumor during the operation. But I didn't, so I certainly wasn't going to lose it to radiation. With that I walked out. I was supposed to have thirty treatments. My eye was already a terrible sight. With my family to help me, I bathed it every two to three hours with cold tea and honey. The matter that came out of it was horrendous. It took nearly a year doing this to get it better and now after almost two and a half years later it still isn't 100% right. My face was like bad sunburn so what would that have ended up like if I continued with the radiation. |
| The anxiety attacks started, I could not sleep. I paced the floor, I did things I would never dream of. I saw a local doctor while I was convalescing with my mother in Perth. She gave me sleeping tablets, as I was so exhausted. In the meantime my sister searched the internet. The people there were wonderful.They gave us a pile of literature. We read all of this to see what alternative I had. This is when I read the Wellness Newsletters. In this I found the most inspiring letter that I have ever read, from a beautiful young lady called Elvina Johnson. It told how she was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery and chemotherapy. She was so young and had lost her leg and part of her lungs. Then she found Dr. Holt. After reading this I said to my family that is for me. |
| When we walked into his office I felt so comfortable. It wasn't posh like most and the staff were just so friendly. We spoke to Dr. Holt, who makes you feel at ease straight away. He explains everything to you without using long medical terms and draws diagrams to help you understand what he is saying. He told me to go home and talk to my family and decide what I wanted to do. I felt so easy with this down to earth and wonderful man. I made a booking that day to start his treatment as soon as possible. Before I started I had to have a scan which showed that I still had pieces of tumor there. I had fifteen treatments and have had check-up visits every four to six months with Dr. Holt since, always being given the all clear. My last visit was 12th of March 2004 and I can now go for twelve months before the next. I know that I am going to be alright. I feel it in my gut and I sleep well, eat well and hold down a job in the hospitality trade. |
| The sleeping tablets went out the door the day I started with Dr. Holt. If it wasn't for Elvina Johnson and her story in the Wellness Newsletter, I don't know what would have happened. |
| My question is why aren't we told about this treatment? This doctor is wonderful and a life saver. Are the 'powers to be' gambling with our lives? I thought we had a free country where we could make our own choices. If so, why do the politicians have the right to not let the people know about Dr. Holt? Are they playing God? |
