The life of a 40- year-old mother depends on crucial treatment which costs €3,500 a month, which is not funded by the government.

In September of last year, Claire Ebejer, an HR manager and mother to 13-year-old twins, was told that her ‘supposedly cured’ breast cancer had spread to her brain, and because the tumour is located in a highly sensitive area, it cannot be operated on. A couple of months ago, Claire and her husband faced one of their biggest fears – when doctors advised them to start preparing their children for the worst.

The only hope that is now left to prolong her life is a treatment which costs €3,500 a month, and despite the fact that both Claire and her husband work, they are struggling to make ends meet.

“I do not intend to be negative, or try and play the victim card – and I do appreciate the help that is available, but I do want to get the message across. The better I get, the more I can work, thus the more I can contribute to society. However, without the medication, it won’t be long,” Claire said, in an interview with The Malta Independent.

(Breast Cancer Foundation Coordinator Esther Sant - left - with Claire Ebejer)

Claire’s story

In July 2013, Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer, after she noticed a lump in her breast. She underwent surgery, where a mass was removed. Tests on her lymph nodes suggested the cancer was gone, but she continued her chemotherapy as a preventative measure.

Claire was still undergoing treatment, when in September 2014, just as Claire’s children started their new scholastic year, she suffered a seizure. Her doctor sent her to hospital immediately, where Claire suffered a second seizure. Tests later revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain, with a tumour in the frontal area and one in the motor cortex – which controls the execution of movement.

Doctors were in awe about how the cancer spread to the brain, given the lymph nodes were clear - it is now suspected that the disease spread through the bloodstream. Despite the fact that Claire was getting treatment, the body automatically blocks chemotherapy from reaching the brain, to prevent damage.  “It was devastating blow – I had accepted having breast cancer because my mother is a survivor, I had almost expected it. But this was totally unexpected,” she told The Malta Independent.

Surgery

The tumour at the frontal brain area was removed through surgery; however surgeons decided not to operate on the other. Because of the tumour’s position, surgery could leave Claire paralysed. 

Claire then started chemotherapy which goes through the blood-brain barrier, as well as an additional hormonal treatment required to prevent the tumour from growing.  The therapy started to be successful – and the tumour started to shrink. However, because its side-effects were major, doctors had to suggest breaks for her to heal. “The side effects were painful - there were periods when I could not even walk or hold something in my hands. It also had an effect on my bowels,” she explains.

Because of such breaks, the tumour started to grow back, and the 40-year-old has now started a new chemotherapy. However this new chemotherapy does not fall under the government’s free medication list – and Claire and her husband have to fork out €3,500 a month from her own pocket. To make matters financially worse, Claire’s workplace had to stop health insurance coverage, because of consequences beyond their control. Claire has never stopped working since being diagnosed, however her wage does not even come close to cover the expense.

Claire has also spoken to the Malta Community Chest Fund – and she stressed that they have done their best to help her. The Fund however, needs to keep up with a high number of demands.

“This medication is part of our cure – not that there is one – but it does help prolong our life. A similar kind of medication – Herceptin- valued at the same amount is already being offered. I am not asking to benefit from both, but from one instead of the other, since Herceptin is no longer suitable for my case. I know there are others going through a similar situation, and I am speaking out on behalf of all of those, not just myself.”

Ask for help

Some people are afraid to come forward and ask, but there is nothing wrong with asking, Action for Breast Cancer Foundation Coordinator, Esther Sant insists. “We should not fear creating pressure, there is nothing wrong with doing so.”

The tumour grows very fast, so much so, that medication is crucial to allow Claire to prolong her life, and oncologists are persistent on her getting the treatment, despite its side effects.

“It’s been turmoil these past few days – between trying to manage the health insurance and thinking of ways to fund the treatment,” Claire continues.

“We are now building memories as a family”

The illness has inevitably changed a lot in Claire’s life – particularly her dependency on others. “I can no longer drive my children to school, or myself to work. There are days when I am so drained after work that I just get into bed and can’t get up. It is not what I want my children to witness - it is not healthy - but sometimes I have no option. I still go to work every day, despite the pain. I’ve had tremendous support – from my family, friends and work colleagues – I do not have enough words to thank them,” she says.

Claire also does voluntary work in her community in Qormi – and has recently launched a music school for children and adolescents.

“I was always straightforward with my children about my condition. They have grown up to be more mature than most children their age, because of what we went through as a family. When the first cancer broke out, we had hope of cure. But this time round, we can only prolong life, and it is not easy to pass that message across to your children, particularly when the doctor tells you to start preparing the children,” she says.

“We are now building memories, and I have changed my perception towards life. Whereas before I used to allocate time to clean up the house, today I use that time to go out and enjoy my family. I do not know what tomorrow will bring – unfortunately sometimes we have to be faced with such situations to realise what truly matters.

“Doctors are not yet aware of the success rate of this treatment – but even if it gives me another year – I want to live it. I will not lose without a fight. You can’t put a price tag on life,”

Patients and their loved ones are eligible for free sessions of counselling, being provide by the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation. Those interested should apply with a referral from a medical professional. The service will be offered by health care professionals Anna Catania and Darlinka Barbara.

For more information email [email protected] or call 77771806.  

Photos Jonathan Borg