Update 😊

[Newbery3]

Currently sitting in my hospital bed looking over london! Had my debulking surgery on Wednesday with prof Fotopoulou and afterwards she told me that lucky i came to her as i had to have her get behind my bowel to remove 2 nodes that were starting to get necrosis! My nhs wouldnt refer me over from wales as they thought it wasnt of benefit and the mdt meeting between the different trusts are worlds apart. Anyway its going to be a long recovery but i feel extremely lucky! Also to borrow the money to self pay but it should never have been like this and it makes you think how much money actually comes into play when it comes to our health boards! 🤯going to end on a high though and I'm going to beat the heck out of this beast!😊🥰Happy Sunday all xxx

[0462County]

Hello

Lovely to smiling emojis in your post. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Love and hugs.

Beth x

[Sashay2020]

Glad your surgery went well, Newbery. 💐 Sending best wishes to you from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sashay

[Lyndy2]

yay! Glad you have come through with a good result xx

[Lizz49]

I’m really glad your surgery went well and sounds like you did the right thing getting a second opinion and pushing for the best surgeon for you, as you say it shouldn’t have been like that but good you were able to pursue that option.

I know prof Christina is so well respected and am sure you’ve had expert surgery there. Take it easy it takes months to really recover from the surgery, our bodies go through a lot. Then more chemo for you to finally put this to bed and focus on a healthy future. The whole journey isn’t easy but I’m sure you can do this and I’m sending you tons of love and positivity, big hugs,

Liz Xx 💖

[Bettyxxx]

hi Newbery

Christina did my second surgery 4.5 year ago and i am still clear cant speak highly enough of her, very special lady xx

All the best for a good recovery

Diane xx

[panfield62 in reply to Bettyxxx]

Hi Diane, I'm so pleased you're still clear - I am on my 2nd voluntary Clinical Trial at the Christie Hospital - oral Paclitaxel - on my 7th cycle now. Previously Trial included a MEK inhibitor (good for low grade) and I was on it for 12 months before it stopped working. Doing ok. Diane - your advice please - do you think it would be sensible to have an update re my scans, bloods, etc with Cristina and going private if needed. Gwen x

[SopSinger in reply to panfield62]

The Christie hospital is a centre of excellence and Prof. Fotopoulou is a surgeon. Although it wouldn't hurt to request a second opinion, you might be better off choosing the Royal Marsden, where there are lots of trials available..

[panfield62 in reply to SopSinger]

Hi SopSinger,

I wouldn't hesitate to see Cristina - she operated on me twice - I am nearly 9 yrs on with low grade ovarian and owe much of my remission to her. I will look at and keep an eye on the Trials at the Royal Marsden, although I live in Yorkshire so quite far away to take on a Trial there! Thanks SopSinger and good luck to you. Gwen x

[Trickysite]

Terrific news. X

[Fluffyjumper]

Hi Newberry

You must be so relieved that you’ve finally had your operation. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[NewtonEmma1900]

So pleased to hear that your surgery is now done. Sending good wishes for a good recovery from surgery and going forward. X

[Frenchhouse3]

Hi there,

So happy for you that your surgery has been done and wishing you all the best in your recovery. Great news!

Denise xxxxx

[Katmal-UK]

Good news. I hope your recovery goes well xx

[Seedlings]

really glad to hear that you are over the surgery and that it went well.

Well done you for being your own advocate. We have to do whatever it takes it’s just so wrong that we have to be so vigilant on all fronts. It’s difficult enough .

Onwards and upwards.

Best wishes.

Ann.

[Lilyada]

Hi Newbery3 - so very pleased for you that you managed to have the best surgeon to do your op. Prof. Photopolou did my op in March and I felt so lucky that I was referred to her from my local hospital. She’s certainly a force of nature and naturally seems to convey a positivity to her patients!

I am due my 5th chemo at the end of this week, fingers crossed,as bloods have been difficult. So feel am on ‘the home stretch’.

I do hope you can hold onto that amazing positivity throughout the remainder of your treatment. The wonderful encouragement on this site has been so helpful to me, so thank you all!

Love, Angela xx

[bananayo]

I’m so pleased you managed to get your op and with a great surgeon, wishing you a good recovery xx

[panfield62]

Hi Newbery, So pleased your op went really well with Cristina (and her team) - she operated on me abt. 3 yrs. ago - now on a Clinical Trial - I'm sure her intervention has helped. Gwen x

[delia2]

Hi Newberry. I’m so glad you went to CF even though you had to pay for it because the alternative was unacceptable. Now that surgery is over, take good care of yourself, and look forward. Xx

[wendydee]

What a great result! It’s so good to hear. It’s shame that the health system in Wales seems to play by different rules. I had a friend who had to move in with her daughter in London to get the treatment she needed. She was treated at the RM in the end.

[Nus38]

Hi Newbery

So pleased that you got treatment in London with CF. Although ive never had never met her i have heard so many wonderful things about her on this forum.

I do think there is definitely a two tier health system and you are offered many more options as a private patient than NHS alone. I was fortunate to have private health care through my workplace. My operations, tests, chemo and all follow ups were done through this. There was no delays and the upmost care was taken. This was all when covid restrictions were going on and people's cancer treatment was getting delayed. I am so grateful to have been in this privileged position as I wouldnt have been able to pay for private healthcare.

I wish you well with your recovery.

Love Nus x

[Flute_7]

Hello Newbery3

I’m really happy for you and wishing you every success in your recovery. Your story has inspired me to contact Christina Fotopoulou for her advice. Can I ask you, once you made your initial enquiry how long did it take before you had a meeting ? Many thanks xx

[Newbery3 in reply to Flute_7]

she is absolutely amazing! She was on holiday when i made contact with hwr secretary but she even emailed me back on her personal email same day offering me an over the phone appointment 1 week later or face to face 2weeks but i took over the phone on bank holidag monday 29th August and had my op 7th September no messing about at all xxx 100% glad i did and 100% wouldn't think twice again , shes the most caring and passionate about her job! An absolute Angel on earth 🌎 good luck xxx

[Flute_7 in reply to Newbery3]

Thank you Newbury3. I found an email address for her yesterday and she responded late last night. I sent her my latest scan results but unfortunately she won’t be able to operate so recommended a couple of oncologists for second opinions. Wishing you every success in your journey xx

[Newbery3 in reply to Flute_7]

she would definitely have referred you to the best people to see so taje it further x

[Roulasim in reply to Newbery3]

Hi-I am trying to contact her over a month-I found an email but she didn’t reply-I desperately need her advice but I don’t know how to find her-could it be possible to send me in a personal email her email?

[Newbery3 in reply to Roulasim]

Tin chan,

Outpatients Administrator

Imperial Private Healthcare | Hammersmith Hospital | Du Cane Road | London | W12 0HS

Email:[e-mail]: Tel:[phone]

[Newbery3 in reply to Newbery3]

Ring tin, I would give the private email but I'm not sure she'd appreciate it without permission and tin will get her to contact you anyway direct xxx

[Summergold2]

great news heres to a speedy recovery and more NED time