Support Kylie in her fight with rare cancer

$13,046 raised

From 83 Donations
TARGET $15,000

Please support this cause

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Raising funds for: Kylie Watson
This fundraising page is seeking support and assistance in association with my diagnosis of a rare and aggressive Cancer called Leiomyosarcoma (Leio = smooth, Myo = muscle, Sarcoma = malignant tumour occurring within the soft tissue of the body). I am a Carer and live with my husband and our youngest children, aged 10 and 11 years of age. Sarcoma's account for less than 1% of all adult cancers and are typically painless, going undetected until such time as they have grown to a size where they are encroaching on other bodily parts and/or are advanced. Their rare and aggressive nature are such that treatment is recommended with a Sarcoma Specialist. Living in regional New South Wales, the nearest Sarcoma Specialist is located six hours drive south in Sydney, New South Wales. In March 2022 I discovered a small golf-ball sized lump in the back of my right thigh. A battery of tests including ultrasound, MRI, X-Ray, PET-Scan and biopsies were performed and on 11 April 2022, Leiomyosarcoma was confirmed. A course of neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation treatment was commenced in May 2022, in an attempt to reduce the size of the tumour prior to surgical resection. In June 2022, surgery was performed at Prince Of Wales Hospital in Randwick to remove a tumour measuring 90 x 71 x 70mm in size, along with a 10cm area surrounding the tumour that was also involved. A second surgery was required to obtain clear margins. An estimated 60-70% of my hamstring was removed. Post-surgery complications of infection, seroma, and wound dehiscence as well as radiation damage left me a chronic, exudating sinus cavity requiring wound VAC therapy and was followed by wound packing and dressing for more than nine months until April 2023. In February, re-staging scans identified a potential local recurrence located further up within my remaining hamstring. Subsequent scans and biopsies confirmed recurrent Leiomyosarcoma in March 2022. My treatment this time included surgical resection of the recurrent tumour, followed by a second surgery by a Plastic Surgeon for reconstruction of my hamstring to repair the chronic, exudating sinus cavity caused by the original surgery. On 24 April 2023, I was admitted once again to Prince Of Wales Hospital for surgical resection of the recurrent Leiomyosarcoma. Upon confirmation of clear margins, on 1 May 2023 a second surgery was performed to reconstruct my hamstring. After suffering with fevers associated with infection, a third surgery was performed on 10 May 2022 to re-open the rear incision to debride and clean the wound. It is now estimated that I have between 20-30% of my hamstring left. Following the last surgery, I was then referred to the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy with the hope of assisting with wound healing for Chemotherapy and/or Radiation treatment. All in all we spent eight weeks in total, (four and a half weeks as an inpatient and a further three and a half weeks as an outpatient) in Sydney receiving treatment. I am now home and am waiting for the last of my superficial wounds to heal before commencing treatment. As the main income earner of my household, I am unable to work for the foreseeable future and we are reliant on Centrelink benefits. Although I am able to undergo Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment locally, there are many other out-of-pocket costs associated with my treatment over the last couple of months and also my ongoing treatment in particular with travel to and from Sydney regular basis for follow-up care and treatment, accommodation, costs in association with multiple specialist consultations and diagnostic testing and imaging, and physiotherapy to name just a few things. I started this Fundraising Page in April 2023 prior to my admission to Prince Of Wales Hospital, I have updated the description to include recent events over the last couple of months. I hope that the information I have given is clear and concise and that my family and I can count on you for your compassion and support.
Update
25 Jun 2024
Sorry, it's been a little while. I was discharged to come home a week after surgery with the recommendation to start 6 weeks of radiation therapy within 6 weeks. I still have the surgical drain in. My wound has been healing well up until the last week, when I started to have some discharge coming from the incision site. The lower half of the incision is now starting to separate (dehisc) and I have signs of infection. I had an urgent appointment with my GP yesterday and have started on antibiotics. I also have a referral for the Nurses to take a swab of the wound site. I had a TeleHealth appointment with my Sarcoma Specialist on Friday. The margin closest to the bone came back clear however the Cancer cells extend right up to the superficial margin which is the margin closest to the skin. In the interest of trying to preserve as much of my function and ability to walk as possible, they opted for no further surgery. Their thoughts are that the recommended Radiation Therapy will eradicate any remaining Cancer cells. We just have to hope that we are able to bring the infection under control and the incision heals in time as Radiation is unable to start while I have a wound. I will post photos to my Instagram page sarcomajourney2022 for those that are interested but please bear in mind that some may be distressing or graphic to others.
Update
09 Jun 2024
Just a bit of an update. I'm doing fairly well, managing to get around fairly well unassisted with the aid of a walking stick. They removed two of my adductor muscles (adductor magnus and adductor longus). They're very happy with how surgery went, I lost 500mls of blood during surgery and have a drain in which will most likely be in for the long term (up to 6 weeks or more). The telling moment will be when we get the pathology results back. Hopefully we have clear margins. My main issue as predicted, is my hips will not close fully. In particular, I have considerable pain if I move my legs apart (if that makes sense). At this stage, it looks like I will be discharged to return home on Wednesday. On return home, I will have rehab and once healed I will have 6 weeks Radiation therapy. I hope you're enjoying your long weekend. Kylie xx
Update
07 Jun 2024
Please view the following link for my update post yesterday's surgery update https://youtu.be/H8Y981t_Nms?si=8YKvbTboRXw1sDYo
Update
05 Jun 2024
It's 2:20am. My day started at 1:00am. I couldn't sleep any longer. Very shortly, one of our friend's will be arriving to pick me up and drive me to Sydney and I will be leaving my husband and children behind. The last few days have been hectic, moving house. The majority of the household is moved and mostly unpacked with Merv's shed remaining. My car is still out of action as the wrong alternator was sent and we are currently waiting on the correct one to arrive. Today, I will go to the Pre-anaesthetics Clinic, then admitted and have a procedure to have a hookwire placed to help locate the tumour for tomorrow's surgery. Wish me luck and I will do my best to update you all as soon as possible.
Update
31 May 2024
My left knee on Thursday.
Update
31 May 2024
I seem to average about four hours sleep most nights at the moment. I usually sleep through to around midnight and then usually my sleep is broken, sleeping for only an hour at a time and unable to sleep for 2-3 hours. This is the "new normal" for me, so I figured I may as well take time to explain what is going on. We received approval to lease new premises last week and arranged to sign the Lease on Friday 31 May 2024. With this in mind, I attempted to try find out if we could postpone my.surgery for a week or so to allow me time to move. It seems the receptionist I spoke to did not understand the urgency of my surgery and advised me to call Admissions. There was a mix up with my paperwork and Admissions were unable to help me until Tuesday of this week and then on Wednesday, I received my Admissions Confirmation with a date of the 17th of June. Then yesterday (Thursday), I received a phone call from my Sarcoma Specialist's, Surgical Fellows. Apparently this surgery is rather complex and my Sarcoma Specialist will be having another Sarcoma Specialist who is also a Professor assist with my surgery. The 6th of June is apparently the only day they are able to coordinate their schedules in the near future and my.surgery is considered to be urgent. They also require me to be in Sydney a day early by Wednesday 5th June to enable necessary preparation for my operation the next day. This has left us in the position of needing to get the move done ideally by Monday. Financially, we have been doing it pretty tough. We had to apply for a Rentstart Bond Loan to be able to move into the new premises. In addition to that we've had to come up with $1030 in advance rent and we will also have additional costs such as Pest Treatment, Final Electricity and Water Meter readings. With most of our friends tied up with work and family commitments, the majority of the move was going to be down to Merv and myself due to being unable ti afford or arrange a removalist. Ive been having a lot of issues with calf and knee pain in my right leg and with the reduced muscle mass in my hamstring to support my knee, I have hyperextended my right knee twice in the last month. Then, I hurt my left knee a couple of weeks back when I tripped and landed on it. It was swollen and sore for a couple of days and has been fine since, up until yesterday when it swelled up like balloon after simply gently kneeling down on the ground to pick something up, leaving me rather concerned as to whether my body will stand up to the move. As if this wasn't already enough, my car wouldn't start on Monday morning and on Tuesday morning, it was confirmed that the alternator was no longer working. A new replacement alternator would cost approximately $500 for the part alone. Yesterday, I cracked under the pressure and was a crying, blubbering mess, feeling totally and utterly defeated, wondering how much else it will take to break me completely. The only thing keeping me going right now is my family, friends and the amazing support I've received from you all. Thank you again, words will never describe how much it really means to me.
Update
30 May 2024
Hey guys, We are supposed to be collecting keys to our new place tomorrow and moving from Fitzroy Street to Newry Street in Urunga. We had arranged for my surgery to happen on the 17th to give us enough time to move house but I've just received a phone call from my surgeon's fellow explaining that they really need me to try to be in Sydney on the 5th for my surgery on the 6th due to my surgery needing another Sarcoma Surgeon to help and this is the only date for apparently a "long while" where they can both do it together. This means we are being asked to perform the impossible, especially when my the alternator is gone on my car. We can use it for short trips but the battery will need to be put back on charge everytime. We really need some strong men to do this, our driveway and the access to our home in Fitzroy is rather steep and some of our furniture is rather large and heavy. Not to mention, there will be the bond clean that I won't be able to do due to being in Sydney for surgery. If there is anyone you think may be able to help, please share.
Update
29 May 2024
Although my videos are not the most polished or professional, they are easier to do! So here's my latest update. I hope you're all well and thank you all so much for the outpouring of well wishes following my last update. Please click on the link below to view the video on my latest update. https://youtu.be/_hpTcVMaVSk?si=v_Nj1Lh2aSNEeNDf
Update
20 May 2024
Hey there, I've just uploaded and recorded my latest update. I thought this was a little easier than trying to type a long-winded written update! You can view the update by clicking on the link below. Tha ks xx https://youtu.be/BuxA5DT8OCk?si=mXYIj27IOLZG-fH1
Update
18 Apr 2024
As promised, here is the next part of my update. As most of you are aware, in late December of 2023 we were given 28 days notice to vacate by end of Lease due to the late Owner's children wishing to sell. We were able to find and were approved for a property 20kms south of Coffs Harbour in Urunga. The property has not been without it's issues which I will detail at the end of this update but we have been grateful to have somewhere dry and warm to sleep and call home. Yesterday we were advised of our Landlady's intention to sell and are once again left with the uncertainty of where will live. We received official notification of this via email today. The Real Estate is working with us and we hope to be able to find another rental property. There is always the possibility that an investor may purchase and we be given the option of staying on but this is not something we can rely on. This is the third property we have needed to vacate due to being sold since in the last two years. I have had hopes of being able to return to work in a part-time capacity that will be suitable, taking my health issues into consideration. I am still seeing a number of specialists in relation to my treatment with the addition of Physiotherapy. Our savings are at an all time low with all the costs associated with my treatment last year, moving, and the extra travel back and forth to Coffs Harbour for appointments on a regular basis. We applied for a loan to be able to afford the bond and advance rent on this property which we are still paying off and have undertaken repairs at our own cost. We are stretched financially. I am concerned about our ability to be able to be approved for further finance given our limited income and even if we are successful, I am worried about our ability to live if we do so. I am so scared that we won't be able to secure another property and end up homeless like so many others. Below is a copy and paste from an email I sent to our Property Manager: As noted in the condition report, a large majority of the flyscreens throughout the house were damaged with them being ripped and torn. We have repaired and replaced flyscreens throughout the living area and all the bedrooms. These repairs were vital with the hot summer heat and no fans/cooling system throughout the house with the whole family having severe reactions due to the massive mosquito and sandfly population in the area. As advised, there was an issue with the light fitting in the rear bedroom not being secured properly and sparking which was rectified by my husband. The back security door would not lock due to the striking plate not being aligned correctly, which we have fixed as advised. We repaired a hole in the roof over the side entryway with alsynite. The gardens and trees were overgrown with the footpath at the side of the house leading to the laundry being covered in algae making it a dangerous fall hazard when wet. Since moving in, we have gradually been pruning the trees overhanging the front verandah and in the front yard. We have pressure cleaned the footpaths surrounding the house to reduce the risk of falls. The solar panels were also overgrown and covered in algae which we have pressure cleaned in recent weeks. For four weeks we were unable to exercise our right to quiet enjoyment of the property while the essential repairs and renovation of the bathroom were undertaken. We were reduced to showering outside and the use of one toilet in the outside laundry while essential repairs and bathroom renovation were undertaken. We were happy to make these concessions in order to aid in reducing costs to the Landlady. We did this in good faith and had we been aware that we would be faced with the prospect of having to move again in six months, would not have done so.
DONATIONS83
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Anonymous
Thu, 6 Jun 2024
$ 120
$ 120
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Amber C
Mon, 3 Jun 2024
$ 100
$ 100
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Ania Tomaszewska
Wed, 29 May 2024
$ 1000
Oh Kylie…hang in there Sending as many positive healing vibes as I can muster.
Oh Kylie…hang in there Sending as many positive healing vibes as I can muster.
$ 1000
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Vicky Knight
Wed, 29 May 2024
$ 100
Sorry it can’t be more xxx.
Sorry it can’t be more xxx.
$ 100
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Anonymous
Thu, 23 May 2024
$ 120
$ 120
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Rosalie Cosgrove
Tue, 21 May 2024
$ 50
Hi sweet heart I will be praying for you every day xxxxxx Rosalie Cosgrove
Hi sweet heart I will be praying for you every day xxxxxx Rosalie Cosgrove
$ 50
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Anonymous
Thu, 9 May 2024
$ 240
$ 240
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Vicky Knight
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
$ 100
Thinking of you every day 😘
Thinking of you every day 😘
$ 100
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Steve Berry
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
$ 100
Good luck Kylie.
Good luck Kylie.
$ 100
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Sawtell Juniors
Sun, 11 Feb 2024
$ 500
$ 500
RAISING FUNDS FOR
Kylie Watson
FUNDS BANKED TO:
Kylie Watson

Campaign Creator
KW
Kylie Watson
Sawtell, NSW
Created Apr 2023

$13,046 raised

From 83 Donations
TARGET $15,000

Please support this cause

AUD
$
RAISING FUNDS FOR
Kylie Watson
FUNDS BANKED TO:
Kylie Watson
Campaign Creator
KW
Kylie Watson
Sawtell, NSW
Created Apr 2023