You Can Be An Angel

November 2008

2008-11-18T00:58:00.000-08:00

This will probably be the last entry into this record to the amazing courage of Becca. She fought against all odds –determined to survive metastatic melanoma. Sadly she died in May 2007 but her vast energy and joy for life continues.

In so many ways Becca’s uniqueness will continue to bring a smile to many who pass by. A beautiful garden is now reaching completion at Lewannick Primary School; a sturdy natural picnic table is firmly established in Stara Woods; Kev’s series of ‘Becca Paintings’ is awaiting a final coat of varnish, and we have sold Becca’s house - Kev now lives in a caravan in the middle of a forest. And that is just how Becca would have wished it to be!

The "melanoma awareness" DVD has been the focus of so much good work. A copy is now in every school and college in the South West of England – and it has had a wide distribution through many hospitals.

We now have strong links with the Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund – and we are exploring the possibility of a mobile educational unit to work throughout Cornwall.

We will continue to publish news of this project on www.melanomaproject.co.uk

Our thanks and our love to you all

Bet and Peter Kaye

Becca

2008-11-18T00:51:00.000-08:00

After Becca’s death we received hundreds of cards and letters – so many reflections and memories. Here is one poem, written by our dear friend Fran.

Becca

The theatre is empty now.
By day, the sunlight slants
On battered boards.
By night, the moonlight
Milks the mute applause
Of silent rows.
Whatever play was here
Has now moved on.
The curtains closed,
And audiences, stirred,
Have now to homes all gone.

But through these doors,
In rivers of bright voices,
Rushing on through valleyed woods
And tumbling down towards the sea,
The story of the world still courses,
Told – as it must always be –
From the moment it is lived
Until the oceans set it free

Happy Easter Angels!

2008-03-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

The DVD mentioned in the post before last is now nearing completion. The children from Becca's class at Lewannick Primary School have made the most amazing film. This, together with a highly original 'animated' version for secondary schools (eat your heart out Nick Park!) should be ready by the end of the month.

Both versions will be distributed to all Cornish schools by the end of April. We are also hoping to encourage other counties to make use of the material. We would obviously like as many young people as possible to see the film - and before the heat of the summer. We hope to send all 'Becca's Angels' a copy during May.

By that time we are also hoping to circulate some catalogues of Kevin's art work. It is slowly coming together - but getting any artist to release work is never easy! He has had success with his band however, and www.myspace.com/harrymunkproject should keep you up to date. Lovely to see that Becca's clarinet (through the track 'Players') is covering the globe.

And Tara Fraser (formerly Stack to our Launceston College readers) at www.yogajunction.co.uk has awarded the Rebecca Kaye Bursary (for studying 'Yoga for People Living with Cancer') to Bryan Fox. We wish him courage, energy and joy in the challenge which lies ahead.

The Stara Woods Picnic area (seen above, this morning) the living willow project, and Lewannick's School's 'Elvis Meets Miss Kaye' garden are all in the developmental stage - and all should come together in the Spring. Becca's energy for life - and her constant smile - are still with us.

We remember her 35th Birthday - a year ago (on 24th March) when you sent all those cards! That made her smile!

Thanks to you all!

Merry Xmas Angels

2007-12-17T01:46:00.000-08:00

The picture above is one of Kev's 'angel series' simply titled 'Becca's Angels IV'. With it goes our best wishes to all 'angels' and friends. We would hope for a healthy 2008 for all our readers!

Sam and her friend Clare ran through the foulest of weather to complete the Great South Run. Their final total should be £4,000 which they raised on behalf of CANCERactive. The Angel Fund did make a donation - but several people gave additional support. Thank you to you all. Funds were also raised for The Macmillan Service - and congratulations to friend Imogen Hills who actually beat Sam by about 30 seconds. Ooops!

700 Cornish Daffodils have been planted in Bec's name in Stara Woods. We await Spring for more progress on this project.

We are now about to put out the Primary School version of 'Melanoma Awareness' to The Health Authority for their reaction. It has been an emotional challenge for us all - but particularly for Donna who has been working so closely with Becca's class. The children's memories are tear-jerking. We had no idea that Becca based so much of her teaching on the use of a Whoopee Cushion!!

Finally, on behalf of all of 'the angels' we have bought Becca a Christmas present. Through Action Aid (a charity which Becca supported) we have provided classroom equipment in Ethiopia - and for the education of several children in India.

Music And Lyrics

2007-10-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

Filming at Lewannick Primary School is now completed. The children from Becca's class have delivered a poignant script and have written their own song. Kev has arranged the accompaniment and can be seen here playing on Becca's famous red guitar.

Donna and Krys now begin the task of editing - and we wish them well!

Great news for Kev's band The Harry Munk Project. Following a charity gig in Torquay for OXJAM they have bookings now from Ilfracombe to Bristol. Throughout the two years that Kev cared for Becca she always insisted that his weekly music sessions with the band took place. She will be well pleased!

Stara Woods Revisited

2007-10-22T01:36:00.000-07:00

At last! We have cleared Becca's special place in Stara Woods. The trees are down and the area clearly identified. You can see that Bet has been allowed away from the knitting for a brief spell!

Nature will now take its course until the Spring - when we will add the picnic bench and living willow sculptures, plant to encourage more butterflies - and put into place our trail of smiles.

Great South Run This Weekend!

2007-10-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

And finally we wish our three runners a safe 'journey' in next Sunday's Great South Run. Sam and her friend Claire are running in Bec's memory on behalf of CANCERactive - and friend Imogen, again with Bec on her back, will be running for The Macmillan Service. Thank you to all who have sponsored them! I'm not sure Becca totally approves of 'running marathons' so expect a few jovial tricks along the way!

Anyone who still hasn't sponsored them and would like to, please see this for further information.

Memories & Memorials part one

2007-10-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

From Becca's dad, Peter;

"Tara Fraser (Stack) - ex Launceston College and Middlesex Uni - has set up a bursary in Becca's memory, which is a lovely idea."

Indeed it is. Here's more information:

Wheel of Yoga, Teaching Yoga for Cancer Module

A new bursary set up in memory of Rebecca Kaye aims to increase the numbers of yoga teachers working with people with cancer by offering financial assistance for their training.

The bursary is available to qualified Yoga teachers from any tradition to study this groundbreaking BWY Module with Julie Friedeberger, one of the UK’s foremost teachers in the field.

All applications considered. In the first instance please contact Julie herself at juliefried(at)clara(dot)co(dot)uk for more information."

Tara's own site can be found here

Memories & Memorials part two

2007-10-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

It seems that other memorials for Bob are also nicely underway - as per the earlier posts below - and here's the rest of the email Peter;

"Donna's filming going well (see below) - plans for a garden in school with giant pots in the shape of blue suede shoes - Sam still in training (for her run, and the information on how to sponsor her is still below) - and the first paintings (from Kevin) are nearing completion - but thankfully it is still too rainy for me to get the strimmer and the chain saw into the woods!"

And Peter is hopeful that Becca's story and how her alternative therapy helped will soon be in the Daily Mail.

Life Goes On

2007-09-03T04:43:00.001-07:00

It seems important, to us as a family, that we need to redirect the vast energy and joy for life which was such an integral part of Becca’s being. And so we are aiming to carry forward this energy force in a variety of ways. Our grief will always be there, but as Becca would always remind us, it is through laughter and joy that we can make the world a less threatening place.

Kev is getting into his studio - more news on the paintings (and other projects) later!

Our love to all Becca’s Angels – and to everyone working on the projects! And if you can sponsor Sam (Becca's sister) on her Great South Run, there are details below.

The Melanoma Awareness Project

2007-09-03T04:37:00.001-07:00

"Nostalgia" was the first of many! This show toured in 1994 – in Becca’s Morris Minor!

Donna Kilpin (formerly Donna Goddard – BAPA Midddlesex University) worked with Becca for ten years as ‘Small Scale Theatre’ – touring hilarious comedy shows and encouraging community involvement throughout Cornwall and Devon. Donna is now directing the creation of two very special films (in inter-active DVD format) which aim to raise the public awareness of melanoma and for the need to take swift action when once it strikes.

Lewannick Primary School (where Becca was working before brain tumours made teaching impossible) is to feature in the first film. It has a good ‘sun care’ policy and this will be central to the story. The second film, relying heavily on footage from Becca’s own performances, will be aimed at older children and adults.

Donna is working closely with Dr Tom Lucke, dermatologist at The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, and their aim is clear. The rate of melanoma is increasing rapidly – especially in the South West. When once it takes hold there is no cure. People must take care. And must be encouraged to spot early signs.

The Health Authority hope to distribute the films widely throughout Cornwall. The technical work is being managed by Multi- Media Arts Documentation (M-MAD). Krystyna Zdan-Michajlowicz who founded the company seven years ago was a friend of Becca’s – and had been working with Becca and Donna to document the work of Small Scale – and indeed M-MAD evolved from Small Scale’s community work.

Krystyna feels proud to be supporting this venture – and we are so pleased to have her company working along side.

You can find details of M-MAD here www.m-mad.co.uk

Stara Woods

2007-09-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

These are a particularly ‘natural’ collection of woodlands – in a very peaceful location between Launceston and Liskeard (Grid Reference SX289737). Progress on this project is following a leisurely pace and the summer weather has not helped. An area to the west of the River Lyner has been identified. It lies in the shelter of a rocky outcrop. Woodsman Anthony Waters is to use timber from the woods to build a picnic area. It will be approached via a pathway along the side of which we are to plant butterfly encouraging species. A ‘Trail of Smiles’ will lead through the woods.

Sam's Run

2007-09-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

Sam Williams (Becca’s sister Sammy (Right)) and her friend Claire Mowbray (Left) are both now well into their training schedule for The Great South Run in Portsmouth on October 28th.

They are raising money for ‘CANCERactive’, a charity which aims to publish, through its magazine ICON, all research, from all sources, connected with the treatment of cancer. CANCERactive will strive to remain independent of the pharmaceutical industry.

If you would like to sponsor Sam and make a donation, then please go to the CANCERactive website then scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter the name of the person and the amount. Or ring their office on 01280 821211.

A Further Update

2007-07-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for all the cards, letters, photos and anecdotes. It is obviously a great comfort to us all to have your loving support. Friends Roger and Michele have just returned from Tibet where, at 3500m, flags are now flying on behalf of Becca and all her angels. Long may they flutter!

We gave Becca a 'theatrical' send off on 5th June - and it was a beautiful day.We worked hard to avoid sentiment as Becca had instructed. Elvis featured, together with Neil Diamond and 'The Sound of Music' - with a bit of jiving and lots of sunflowers and bright colours. It was not easy, but we performed with a degree of flair worthy of a true BAPA!

And now we are focusing on the various projects which will carry forward Becca's great energy and her enthusiasm for life.

Kev has his canvas in place - and is beginning his series of 'Becca's Angels'. More news later! Kev is also part of a band. Becca's clarinet playing featured on a track on their last album. The studio has recordings of her improvisations - and so they are to incorporate her into their future work: http://www.myspace.com/harrymunkproject

Plans are being made for a special area of peace to be created in Stara Woods. When once the rain stops we hope to hold small working parties - and plant unusual ferns, creating patterns over the rock face which overlooks the river. We are also hoping to create a 'trail of smiles' - carved in wood - either in the ground like small totems or hanging in trees. If you know of anyone who would like to add carvings then please let us know. Watch out for dates of any working parties!

Our 'educational project' is beginning to look very exciting. The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro has just established a unit to specialise in melanoma. Cornwall is being recognised as a high incidence area for skin cancer and a new medical team has been appointed. We have already begun a series of meetings with them.

Donna (ex Middlesex University) and Becca's theatre partner, is leading the creation of two DVDs - one aimed at primary children, and the second for teenagers and adults. We aim to use Becca's story to try to make people more aware of the danger which lies in the sun. Again, if you have any information - or know of any useful material out there - then please let us know.

Sam (and a couple of friends from Bristol) have entered The Great South Run in October and are raising money for CANCERactive. If you do know of others who are struggling against cancer - then we do suggest that you use www.canceractive.com.

Already several of you have offered to sponsor Sam - so we'll give out more details later. We have at least one Angel running in next year's London Marathon on behalf of Macmillan Nurses - great!

Bet promised Becca that she would finish off all the knitting projects! That should keep her occupied for a year or two! And we know that there are other ways in which Becca's energy is being put to positive use. Bless you all! Thank you once again!

To All The Angels

2007-05-30T01:15:00.000-07:00

Received this morning from Peter;

"We are sorry to report that Becca finally gave up her fight against melanoma. She died yesterday evening at home – with Kev and ourselves by her side.

Of course no one wanted this to happen. There is no romantic glow to any of this story. However, two years ago when Becca first suffered the warning seizure, we were determined to make the journey as positive as we could. This challenge has not proved as difficult as we imagined, for out of all the sorrow have shone the most amazing examples of humanity. The human spirit has been revealed at its most brilliant.

We are so proud of our daughter. Against all the odds she has continued to fight – no matter what cruelty melanoma threw at her. She had the most amazing capacity to remain focused on survival and if sheer willpower had been enough then she would surely have conquered her cancer.

As it was she has defied her medical team and out lived the predicted ‘few months’! It was a hard route to follow and a demanding life style which she adopted and yet, through all this, she remained ever concerned for those around her, ever able to make us laugh – and we feel privileged to have shared her journey and witnessed her amazing courage and strength.

And every heart beat of this journey has been shared by her partner Kev. Kevin Sinton BA (Fine Art) had just graduated when Becca first became ill. He immediately became her ‘carer’ and for two years he has been her constant support – surrounding her with love – being her provider, her guide, and her inspiration. We are so grateful for the fact that he has been there for all of us – calm, caring and strong. A wonderful person.

And when we asked for help there appeared hundreds of ‘angels’ who showered us with love, prayers (of all dimensions), and money. Without this financial help it would have proved very difficult to maintain Becca’s fight. She tried so very hard, along a pathway which she felt offered her the best chance of survival. You gave her hope. You are all such lovely people!

There will be a private family cremation and Bec’s ashes will be scattered around her favourite place on the edge of Bodmin Moor. We would ask that each one of you just takes a few moments to reflect on the wonder of her life – and do whatever you feel appropriate. Listen to a piece of music, light a candle, and if you’re part of the Middlesex University crowd – have a Jack Daniels!

The “Angel Fund’ will now be closed and we ask that those of you who are still contributing to cancel your standing orders. We have some suggestions for the money which remains. With your approval we would like to create a special place in memory of Becca. It will be in Stara Woods (between Launceston and Liskeard) and will be a place of contemplation and peace. The river Lynher runs by and we will plant special trees.

We would also like to commission a series of paintings titled ‘ Becca’s Angels’ and this would hopefully enable Kev to return again to his studio and pick up his art career. It would be fitting for us to enable a ‘theatre in education’ project which would attempt to encourage young people to take care in the sun – for it was just one bout of sun burn when Becca was a teenager which has led to this.

We would like to make a donation, again on your behalf, to the MacMillan Nursing Service. Finally Bec’s sister Sam is to run a Marathon to raise money towards CANCERactive – an independent charity which sets out to publish all research – be it involving the drugs via the pharmaceutical companies or the natural elements which grow around us.

Somewhere, for each individual, will lie an answer."

I can only express my deepest sympathies to Kev, Pete, Bet, Sam and to everyone who knew Bob/Becca. To those of you who never met her, it's a shame, she was a hell of a great girl, you probably would have liked her a lot.

The Latest Chapter

2007-04-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

Received from Peter this evening.

"Just a quick update - and a special message to those Angels who contribute via Standing Orders.

Becca's tumours are still multiplying alarmingly - and with them an increase in pain. Morphine helps (now at a very large dose) but not entirely - neither does it dull her determination to stay alive. She fights on - but can eat little and we maintain only a very basic supplementary programme.

The Angel Fund is well able to support her through whatever the next phase throws up - and so we ask all of you who have chosen to support us through standing orders to now cancel those. We will, of course, be in touch with you all. Meanwhile we continue to be so very grateful for your generous help. At least it gave hope.

Forgive this rather impersonal contact - but wanted to give you the chance to contact your bank before the end of the month. And I do appreciate that 'standing orders' do not apply to all the people who are receiving this! Bless you all.

Love from us all - especially Becca and Kev!

Peter"

Being one of the people who generally ignore most orders, I won't encourage you to do anything other than what you feel you want to do. May your God go with you.

Birthday Pictures

2007-04-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

From Becca/Bob's dad, Peter;

"Thanks to everyone for sending so many cards. It was an impressive show of support when it was so much needed. And many of you sent flowers and gifts - not part of the 'deal' - but much appreciated.

We did all get to the cottage overlooking the sea! When Becca and Kev drove into the yard we did feel that we may have made a serious mistake. We almost had to carry them both from the car. Becca was in mega pain, Kev's face was twice its size thanks to the abscess, and their final mile and a half had been along an unmade farm track perched precariously high above the Bristol Channel. Perhaps the price of isolation had been too high?

However by the time they had been lowered onto the settee by the huge window the agony lines began to drain away. The view was enchanting. Just a couple of sloping fields separated the cottage from the sea. At dawn about twenty deer grazed just below the window, and as the sun rose (and most of the time it did!) they were replaced by rabbits, foxes, hawks and a rather worn-looking grandfather who was for ever being dragged down to throw pebbles into the sea. The family were all together and Sam's children brought constant distraction and joy.

Becca remains in almost constant pain but this is now managed by a mixture of morphine and codeine - which she now accepts as an inevitable necessity. There are times when movement is almost impossible. However we continue with gentle treatment and avoid the constant demand which too many pills can make.

At present this consists of Zeolite, Klamasin, PolyMVA, Biobran (a powerful immune builder) and a selection of Chinese Medicines which have a mushroom base (magic of course!). There are other supplements including germanium, selenium, acidophilus together with Pau D'Arco and Samento from the Amazon.

Our hope is to restore her digestive system and to maintain her immunity level - and to make her as comfortable as we can. Our days by the sea were a mixture of extreme emotions, as you would imagine, but good. We all could laugh and cry together and that is what we needed to do.

We continue to be so grateful for your love and support. Thank you so much!"

I can add nothing to this, anything I could say would seem trite in comparison.

Birthday This Week!

2007-03-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

From Becca/Bob's Dad, Peter;

"Becca did talk to Dr Callebout as planned. He told her to stop all the supplementary treatment - but Becca had already made that decision. Instead he prescribed 'antabuse' - a drug given to alcoholics inorder to scare them from addiction! There's irony, as Becca hasn't touched a drop (not even Jack Daniels) since all this began 20 months ago.

Antabuse has possibly helped at least one individual survive metastatic melanoma and so it is though, by some, to merit further trials. This time, however, Dr Callebout has been thwarted! Becca read the long list of possible side-effects and has 'binned it'! The guinea pig costume is getting a bit hot and sweaty!

Our priority is now to try to get her digestive system functioning once again - for without being able to enjoy her food she would turn to drink! We have devised a more gentle routine of drops and tinctures (a welcome rest from the 200 pills every day!) and this natural approach is one that Bec feels happy with.

She does have much abdominal pain - but so far rejects the idea of sipping on her bottle of morphine. This has far too many negative associations and so far she is refusing to go down that pathway marked 'palliative care'!

And so we are all still beating the battle drum and setting our targets. No rest here! Bec's birthday on 24th - and then for the following few days we are all hoping to get to a cottage overlooking the Bristol Channel and perched on the cliffs to the West of Minehead.

Sam, Ian and the children plan to join us - and Ian will still be able to commute to work. The cottage has a piano - and the plan is for Becca to organise the 'entertainment'! A degree in Performance Arts does have its uses!

The birthday cards have already started to arrive - and I know that many of you have been actively twisting arms. This has to be a great event. Bless you all!"

Becca/Bob's birthday is this week, so send her a card. Even if you've never met her before in your life, send her a card. The only way anyone knows that they're alive is how other people react to them.

Make Bob's day, make her smile by sending her a card. What's it going to cost you? First class postage and a card you got from Tesco? What will you get out of it? A feeling of having done something nice for someone who's having a shit time of it. What will she get out of it? A house full of cards, and knowing that she's loved by everyone who reads this.

Another Month Passes - Just.

2007-03-06T02:54:00.000-08:00

Received today from Peter, Becca's Dad;

"It has not been an easy month" he says, with great understatement.

"The 'liver flush' did give Becca and Kev a brief respite - and they did manage a day in St Ives. However Becca found returning to the regime very difficult. This time she felt nauseous as well as very tired - and her digestive system showed signs of failure. This, together with the continued appearance of skin tumours and the resulting pain and discomfort, made it very hard to find much that was positive. We all entered a 'dark period'!

It is never easy to find Dr Callebout as he spends much of his time searching the globe and attending cancer conferences, but we did manage to let him know that things were not going well. A message on our answer phone directed us to a change of plan - which Becca has tried to implement. Last week her stomach went into severe spasms - and after two nights when the pair of them could not sleep - and Becca's pain became unbearable - they called in their GP. He administered morphine, made gentle palliative sounds, and we prepared ourselves yet again.

That was last week. Becca is now up and about! Her digestion still seems shot to pieces and no way is she about to take up the 180 pancreas tablets again - at least not this week! But she is feeling more positive again and is making plans. She is scheduled to have a proper telephone conversation with Dr Callebout tomorrow - and we do have alternative ideas should he not be able to restore her faith. Thanks to the funding in place - and to all you angels!

However it is obvious to us all that Becca's melanoma continues to invade her body. Becca is now setting her sights on her birthday - she will be 35 on Saturday 24th March. It would be good if we could fill her little house with greeting cards - so I rely on you all!"

You heard the man. Get sending cards!!!! And money. I know he didn't mention that, but please keep sending money!

Keeping Going

2007-02-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

Becca has been back in touch with Dr Callebout. He hasn't offered any new insights this time - but at least hasn't added any more pills to Becca's daily intake, so in many ways it's difficult to tell if this is good news or bad news!

What definitely is good news, as far as Becca is concerned, is that she gets to have a "liver flush". While this sounds painful, it actually means she gets to have five days off from her incredible amount of medication, plus it doesn't involve an enema!

With the (relatively) huge amount of time now available to them, Becca & Kevin are planning to go to an art exhibition in St. Ives and visit a garden centre. Plus, they're even planning to go to a party on Saturday night! It's almost like being back to normal!

But then she knows she must go back on the old regime.

Keep sending in the financial contributions!

Some Good News, Some Less Good

2007-01-16T04:16:00.000-08:00

Received from Peter today;

"In this situation, even a discussion about Becca's 'three' brain tumours can offer a degree of consolation. Her oncologist 'phoned her last week with the results of the scan performed on 14th December. The results had been promised before Christmas - but there was the usual silence (all too easily interpreted as 'they aren't telling me because it's so bad!').

It appears that the site of the original tumour (removed by surgery August 05) still shows signs of disease - but there is no new growth. The second tumour treated by radiotherapy in October 05 show no further growth - and is possibly smaller. The third which arrived early in 2006 (and was treated with such drastic consequences causing sever haemorrhaging in July and August) remains very small and the site has now settled.

She doesn't have any severe headaches and her vision is back to how it was a year ago. She does have an area which is blank - but she reads, enjoys Elvis films and of course deals with rather complex knitting patterns.

The nodules (rather like cysts) - now about 40 - continue to sprout up over her body. The largest are about 2-3 cm and can initially bruise and be very sore. The smaller ones lie just below the skin. These cause no pain but are a constant reminder that the cancer continues to spread.

Her main concern is that she now feels very tired. She began her new regime on the 8th December with quite a good level of energy. However since then she is finding everything to be hard work. As energy fails it becomes increasingly difficult to stay positive. She has been fighting this battle for 18 months!

Dr Callebout does keep up his enthusiasm. We are to continue with the present routine for a few more weeks, and having blood tests to try to pin down the tiredness. And then he has 'more ideas'! We just have to keep going!

Thank you to all our angels. New ones continue to 'appear' - and we continue to be very grateful! To have so many people helping is such a great support - in all ways"

I think now would be a good time to send money, humourous cards, money, messages of support, money, mix CDs of tunes that makes you think of Bob/Becca, money, anything to keep her spirits up! Oh, and money, keep sending money!

She Lives!

2007-01-02T04:27:00.000-08:00

Received yesterday from Peter, Bob's Dad;

"Becca has survived into 2007!

She had an amazing amount of energy over Christmas - and baked a cake and mince pies for Kev. Her knitting too has taken a rather more creative approach - and we have a delightful 'bakewell tart' as the centre piece of our table. As long as it holds its shape better than Kev's sweater!

Now almost a month into her new routine she was hoping to see dramatic improvements - but the skin lesions continue to multiply and are, at first, very sore. They do calm down, and some of the earlier ones almost disappear, but the fact that they are still appearing does drag down Becca's confidence. What a cruel disease this is.

Although her head still feels 'strange' she rarely suffers the once frequent 'flashing lights' and her sight is in a much better state. There are always positive signs on which we can focus. She will talk to Dr Callebout on 12th January and decide how to continue. And thanks to all you angels - she does have a choice.

We all wish you a very healthy 2007 - and thank you for continuing to give so much support.
With our love
Peter"

I'm sure everyone will extend their love back to Peter, Betty, Sam, Kevin and of course, Bob/Becca. Please give whatever you can afford. Happy New Year to all.

New Photo!

2006-12-13T02:24:00.000-08:00

Looking heroic, mean, moody and just a little bit early 90s, ladies & gentlemen, I give you Rebecca Kaye!

December Update

2006-12-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

Received today from Peter, Becca's dad;

"Yesterday Becca began her ‘new’ programme of treatment. Dr Callebout has continued to offer her ‘hope’ and she is attacking this latest marathon with her usual determination and courage.

Her skin lesions continue to multiply at a rapid rate but she has been less disturbed by strange sensations within her head. She has more energy again and sight has returned sufficiently to enable her to read once more. She is planning for Christmas!

She sees this latest endurance as a last chance to finally rid herself of the ‘terminal’ shroud which has hung over her for the past year and a half. And so she refuses to be phased by the additions to her daily routine of diet (still free of wheat, sugar, alcohol, anything processed or non-organic, any meat except for organic beef twice a week), enemas (3 each day), juices, and a festive, multicoloured heap of immune-building supplements.

And the additions? Well her guru has introduced three ‘torpedoes’ – three elements of attack which would deter most mortals:

a) Twice daily injections of OGF (Opioid Growth Factor) which has been found to halt the growth of cancer cells – together with Noscapine. This latter has been around for decades as a very safe cough suppressant but very recently high doses are being used off label in the treatment of cancer. It is derived from opium so this appeals to Becca! Both Noscapine and OGF are being clinically studied in the USA, Belgium, Croatia, and Germany – and we feel we are the cutting edge. We get our supply from Israel.

b) A massive input of lamb pancreas – which Becca takes in the form of 180 capsules daily! These support the immune system – directly assisting the defence mechanisms.

c) And a very expensive liquid called ‘CHEL’ which is again undergoing trials in various parts of the world – but not here of course. This is to draw out toxins and metabolic wastes from the blood stream.

Becca’s GP is being very supportive (within the bounds of his NHS contract and his insurers!) and is enthusiastic about her determination. On Monday she is going to ‘come clean’ with her oncologist.

As the official line has always been that she has been on borrowed time for the past year she has so far felt unable to tell them all that she does to defy them. Her hospital notes describe her as ‘remarkable’. They are constantly amazed by her ability to bounce back.

And this refusal to accept defeat has projected us all on a remarkable journey. We now find ourselves at the forefront of some of the most recent pioneering research. And thanks to all Becca’s Angels we are able to ‘keep the show on the road’!

This bout of treatment is now costing £5000 each month. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of ‘Becca’s Angels’ (and to date over £20,000 has been raised) this part of Becca’s journey is now secure. Thank you!"

What Peter is probably too polite to say - never been a problem for me - is, keep sending the money! The cost of the treatment has risen by £2000 a month & the flow of money to the fund needs to keep going. Please give whatever you can afford. As we all hear in supermarket adverts, every little helps.

Progress Report

2006-11-20T03:26:00.000-08:00

Update on Becca/Bob's progress as of November 19th, from her dad, Peter;

"For two weeks following her visit to see her oncologist on 30th October, Becca found the going very tough. She really felt that she had failed and was letting us all down. Her head was spinning and her vision weak; the tumours on her skin continued to multiply; she was finding it very difficult to sleep; her energy levels sank and she seemed to be close to the point of giving up the fight.

But yet again she has regained her sparkle. In the past few days several things have happened to enable her to begin to laugh once more. She managed to complete Kev's sweater (an early Christmas present just in case she didn't make it through to December) and it looks good. Initially at least. As she can't see very well it will probably soon begin to have a rather loose 'imaginative' shape - but he is very tactful and will wear it for ever! (see photo in the post beneath this one)

She enjoyed the attention given her by the Chinese Medical Centre here in Bodmin - acupuncture proved an interesting diversion. But the most important event was a telephone conversation with Dr Callebout. Without any shadow of hesitation or doubt he told her that together they would continue to fight the battle. He would devise a new programme - the effort was to be taken up several leagues! The change in Becca following that call was tremendous. We were back on track!

Since then she has slept again and has found energy. Today the pair of them (Becca & Kev) have driven down to Cadgwith Cove on The Lizard. They are hoping to spend several days in this tiny cottage directly peering out over the sea wall. And the weather looks suitably dramatic!

We must thank the ever growing band of 'Becca's Angels' - for with your help the financial burden of whatever Dr Callebout is about to prescribe has been lifted. And it isn't just the financial aspect which has proved so important to us all. We have all felt, especially Becca and Kev, that we are now surrounded by love and concern. So many of you have made contact with Becca and Kev; so many of you continue to make such generous contributions and find such imaginative ways to raise money; and we do so much appreciate the care you show to us all.
Thanks! Peter xx"

Xmas Is Coming, And The Jumper You're Getting's That!

2006-11-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

Bob & Kevin (wearing his new jumper)

Medical Report – Always Bad News?

2006-10-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

Received this morning from Becca's Dad, Peter.

"We expect it and we get it. No matter how we prepare ourselves the bloody cancer always finds a way to shock. Becca had an appointment this afternoon (30th October) with her oncologist (What a dreadful word!) and Bet and I waited for the 'phone call with heavy hearts. Becca was expecting to find that the "shadows" on her lung had grown and that would explain her breathlessness of late. The lungs are fine.

Ah the barb? The original tumour (the one removed in August 2005) is growing again. That's it then? The end of the line? Her oncologist thinks so – but then they always have told her that she would die "within months" – so nothing new there! And so Becca and Kev struggle home once more and try to build up their positivity once again.

We are getting quite good at this. On the morning of August 1st we were all gathered around Becca’s cot in A & E at Derriford Hospital. After a weekend where Becca had suffered from dreadful headaches (and a series of delayed and futile visits from local doctors) we had eventually called the emergency services. Becca had now suffered a major seizure and was rushed into hospital.

Within an hour they had scanned her head and discovered major internal bleeding within the brain. We were told that she was in a coma and that she was dying. However she decided not to go with "the death rabbit" (part of her "dream") and within hours she was back with us. Within days she was home and more determined than ever to rid herself of her tumours.

She was initially very weak and her sight had become even more restricted and weird. She was on a high dosage of steroids (much to her chagrin!) and her head continued to feel fragile and liable to "explode". Just to compound her frustration, she came to realise that her "death" was a direct result of the latest bout of stereotactic radiotherapy. Melanoma and radio waves do not mix – a fact recognised way back over twenty years ago.

So that strand of treatment proves useless! There is nothing now that the NHS can offer. Oh the breathlessness? Probably a side-effect of the steroids!

And tonight Becca returns to her programme of natural therapy with a somewhat dented, but still functioning determination. She fights on."

Just to re-iterate, the natural therapy that Bob is taking costs about £3k a month and is not paid for by the NHS. If you can assist with paying for the treatment - no matter how little a month - then please contact me via this blog or via my main blog.

Remember, if you contribute £2 a week/£10 a month, it's nearly costing your bank that much in processing time. Go on, do it! It'll irritate them! And what's more fun than irritating a bank?

Knitting By The Partially Sighted

2006-10-31T08:38:00.000-08:00

(Photo shows Becca (right) looking remarkably healthy. Sam however is en route back from a brief ‘holiday’ in St Ives with Katie, Joe and husband Ian)

Becca is now able to claim artistic licence as she creates tea cosies for Sam's children: baby Katie Iris and young man Joe. Stand by for photo of Becca's partner Kev in his Christmas sweater.

Photos, photos, photos

2006-10-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

These were taken recently for the "You Can Be An Angel" campaign. The pills in the background represent only a partial amount of what Bob takes every day. She has recently stopped taking the steroids which have given her the look of a concerned hamster and now it just looks like she's had her wisdom teeth all removed at once.

As you can see, she still dresses like a hippy and, I'm pleased to report, she still has her sense of humour. Which is amazing given the amount of pills she has to take, the constant making and drinking of vegetable juice and three coffee enemas a day....

Seriously, if you can contribute in ANY way, please leave a comment with your email address and I'll get back to you. Thanks again.

You Can Be An Angel

2006-10-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

The following is from Rebecca/Bob's parents, Bet & Peter:

"In the world of theatre ‘an angel’ is a person who gives financial support ‘to keep the show on the road’. It seems an appropriate term to help Rebecca Kaye in her fight for survival – she will have enthused you in workshops; she will have taught your children in school; she will have entertained you with comedy and song (Small Scale Theatre Co); trained with you in Performing Arts at Middlesex; and acted with you in primary schools in Scarborough – later at Launceston College.

For those of you who have never met Becca – she was born in Yorkshire in 1972 and with her sister Sam led a carefree childhood. Little did we know that a chance bout of sunburn when she was 16 would lead to the problems she now faces. A melanoma (skin blemish) was removed surgically seven years ago and we all hoped that all would be well. However last summer (2005) Becca was diagnosed as having two brain tumours. The largest was skilfully removed by surgery, the second treated with the latest radiotherapy techniques. Even so she was told that she only had months to live. There was no cure. Metastatic melanoma is the most lethal form of cancer. Cancer would continue to spread throughout her body.

Becca did not give in. Together with her tremendously caring and supportive partner Kev, she searched for hope where the NHS could offer none. She went to see a doctor/naturopath in London – Dr Etienne Callebout, who had successfully helped people overcome melanoma. Together they devised an intensive programme of organic diet and natural supplementation. As parents, Bet and I sourced and paid for the supplements – averaging £3,000 for each month. Expensive (although nothing compared to the cost of chemotherapy so widely used by the NHS) but it did provide hope where none existed. It has helped to keep Becca alive – and the NHS Team are always surprised by her ability to spring back – she survives beyond their expectations. Tumours do continue to grow (although very slowly) and the battle is not yet won. Becca wants to fight on! She is more determined than ever.

That is why we need to ask for your help. Our own savings have almost disappeared and the worst scenario any parent could envisage, would be to have to turn off the supply – to stop all hope. We know that many of you are willing to help. Just a small monthly contribution to ‘Becca’s Angels’ would mean that we can continue the programme of support. Hopefully we can enable Becca to reach a stage of remission. At the very least we will keep hope alive."

Please contact me via the comments section if you would like me to send you more information about ways in which you can contribute. Thanks.