update: December 2009

Ian is now taking his second course of Sutent (sunitinib) for the treatment of phaeochromocytoma and the initial test results have been extremely promising.  His life threatening symptoms have more or less disappeared but the side effects from the drug have been quite severe.  A scan in December will hopefully show a reduction in tumour size and/or tumour numbers.  As far as we are aware Ian is the first person in the UK to use the drug Sutent for this particular type of rare cancer.  It is used successfully in the NHS for kidney cancer patients but because Ian's condition is so rare the NHS refused to fund it.  The drug costs £3610 for 28 tablets and because we are paying privately for it we also have to pay for consultations and associated tests (£440 each).

Thanks to everyone who helped with the fund-raising for Ian's Appeal Fund which has now ceased.

Proceeds from the sale of "Wonky Knits" will continue to be donated to the Pamela Northcott Organisation who help people like Ian who have to fund their own cancer treatment in the UK.