One Lemberg couple's struggle in finding a treatment for cancer has resulted in much research for this specific type of cancer and a search for a facility that can offer a surgical procedure.
"A few years ago, my wife, Wendy Moldovan, began displaying characteristics that were not normal. At first she started displaying symptoms of fatigue and weakness, then she started experiencing abdominal pain. We went to several doctors and were told various different things from 'you need more fibre in your diet' or 'there is nothing wrong," said Don Taylor.
"One day while at work at the Prince Albert Hospital, Wendy felt extremely light headed and she nearly collapsed due to blood loss. She was admitted to the hospital for blood tests, a colonoscopy and a blood transfusion. She was released that evening with instructions she would be returning for an ultrasound and cat scan," he added.
In 2008, at the age of only 44, Moldovan was told she has stage four colon cancer. She went through a surgical procedure to remove a portion of her colon and then was placed on chemotherapy from 2008 to 2009, by an oncologist in Saskatoon.
"In the spring of 2009 the Saskatoon oncologist gave my wife an all clear and told her she wouldn't be needing anymore treatments. The cancer was gone.
"We were so happy that we took a bit of vacation time to visit our daughter in Kansas City at Christmas time. However, Wendy began experiencing abdominal pain. She was upset, she was sure the doctor misread the results when she was given the all clear.
"When we returned from our holiday we went to the General Hospital at which time a CT Scan and ultrasound were performed. We were told that there was a pelvis mass and tumors on Wendy's liver and lungs, said Taylor.
Moldovan has been receiving chemotherapy treatments at the Allan Blair cancer clinic in Regina since the beginning of 2010. After about six or seven months she was required to change the chemotherapy treatments because they weren't working so well for her.
"She is now on a more powerful form of chemo that is causing her a bit of trouble, so we asked her oncologist (she now has one in Regina) about the possibility of surgery.
"Unfortunately for Wendy the oncologist does not believe there would be any benefit in surgery. He has indicated that because the tumors are penetrating the pelvis, in a great portion of the intestine and wrapped around nerves, surgery would not help my wife," Taylor added.
After much research, the couple discovered the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is able to perform radical surgery which the couple feels will be very beneficial and increase a patient's chance of survival and have now begun a fundraising drive in the hopes that they will be able to finance this potentially life-saving procedure.
In their efforts to raise enough money to make the trip to the Mayo Clinic and undergo treatment the couple are in the process of selling everything of value including their home, motorhome, boat, etc. but with the cost of the treatment there is still a shortfall.
"We have sent a written request to the Mayo Clinic for costs and payment options. It's unfortunate that these treatments are not available in Canada but we are prepared to do whatever it takes to get to the States so that Wendy can have a chance," said Taylor. The couple is arranging fundraising events and accepting donations in the hopes this trip becomes a reality. A fundraising dinner has been set for Jan. 8 at The Last Straw Brew Pub in Regina.
"We can't express enough our gratitude to the community for their support - we hope with continued support we can make this dream a reality and Wendy will get the treatment she so urgently needs," concludes Taylor.
