Testimonials
Rebecca Joseph
Rebecca Joseph
My name is Rebecca Joseph, I’m 20, turning 21 June this year.
In June of 2014, along with 5 girlfriends, I travelled for 5 weeks around Europe returning home early August. I remember on Tuesday 16th September I woke up with a sharp pain near my groin, but brushed it off thinking I may have slept badly.
I had mid-semester exams later that week and ignored the pain and continued to study. As the day went on, the pain was still there. Around 6pm that evening, I noticed my right leg looked quite swollen. My GP was closed so I went to the nearest Pharmacy asking for something to get rid of the pain and swelling. The Pharmacist asked if I was on the pill - to which I answered yes, he told me to go straight to the Emergency Department, as I most likely had a blood clot.
I went to emergency and was immediately given an injection into my stomach to avoid the (possible) clot travelling to my heart or brain. The following day I sat my exam then went straight back to SJOG for an ultrasound which confirmed I had a blood clot. I was diagnosed with DVT in my right lower leg while the clot had already travelled near my groin.
I am now on blood thinners, which is a tablet a day and also have to wear a compression sock on my right leg to assist blood flow.
My name is Rebecca Joseph, I’m 20, turning 21 June this year.
In June of 2014, along with 5 girlfriends, I travelled for 5 weeks around Europe returning home early August. I remember on Tuesday 16th September I woke up with a sharp pain near my groin, but brushed it off thinking I may have slept badly.
I had mid-semester exams later that week and ignored the pain and continued to study. As the day went on, the pain was still there. Around 6pm that evening, I noticed my right leg looked quite swollen. My GP was closed so I went to the nearest Pharmacy asking for something to get rid of the pain and swelling. The Pharmacist asked if I was on the pill - to which I answered yes, he told me to go straight to the Emergency Department, as I most likely had a blood clot.
I went to emergency and was immediately given an injection into my stomach to avoid the (possible) clot travelling to my heart or brain. The following day I sat my exam then went straight back to SJOG for an ultrasound which confirmed I had a blood clot. I was diagnosed with DVT in my right lower leg while the clot had already travelled near my groin.
I am now on blood thinners, which is a tablet a day and also have to wear a compression sock on my right leg to assist blood flow.
Anella Tollis
Anella Tollis
My name is Anella Tollis. I'm 35, have a Protein S Deficiency and am expecting my third child. A family history of thrombosis lead me to finding out I have a Protein S Deficiency from a regular blood test to see if I carried the gene. I'm the 3rd generation in my family to be diagnosed with a form of thrombosis. On the whole, my life is generally unaffected by Protein S unless I travel long distances and am pregnant.
At 6 weeks pregnant with my first child, Dr Baker informed me that my Protein S had dropped. I required a blood thinner, Clexane to prevent blood clots and possible miscarriage. Listening to how I needed to be injected everyday during my pregnancy was the last thing I had expected to hear and my worst nightmare! I hated needles! After a huge cry and meltdown I realised this is the only thing to do to ensure the health and safe delivery of my baby.
My third child is due in a few weeks and have received daily injections from my husband for all 3 pregnancies. Although I am proud of myself for overcoming one of my worst fears, I still don't have the courage to inject myself. I now truly understand the meaning of how a mother will do anything for her children. I have been blessed with safe pregnancies, healthy children and am grateful for the knowledge and expertise of Dr Baker and his team.
My name is Anella Tollis. I'm 35, have a Protein S Deficiency and am expecting my third child. A family history of thrombosis lead me to finding out I have a Protein S Deficiency from a regular blood test to see if I carried the gene. I'm the 3rd generation in my family to be diagnosed with a form of thrombosis. On the whole, my life is generally unaffected by Protein S unless I travel long distances and am pregnant.
At 6 weeks pregnant with my first child, Dr Baker informed me that my Protein S had dropped. I required a blood thinner, Clexane to prevent blood clots and possible miscarriage. Listening to how I needed to be injected everyday during my pregnancy was the last thing I had expected to hear and my worst nightmare! I hated needles! After a huge cry and meltdown I realised this is the only thing to do to ensure the health and safe delivery of my baby.
My third child is due in a few weeks and have received daily injections from my husband for all 3 pregnancies. Although I am proud of myself for overcoming one of my worst fears, I still don't have the courage to inject myself. I now truly understand the meaning of how a mother will do anything for her children. I have been blessed with safe pregnancies, healthy children and am grateful for the knowledge and expertise of Dr Baker and his team.
David Sneddon
David Sneddon
In 2004 I was living in Hong Kong and travelling extensively. One day I noticed I had a very swollen calf and upon the advice of my wife, went to hospital. They performed an ultrasound and it was confirmed that I had DVT. I was injected with blood thinners and following discharge from hospital I was on Warfarin for 6 months. On my next visit to Perth I organised to see Dr. Ross Baker, given his reputation as a prominent specialist and researcher in blood disorders, for a series of blood tests and to ensure I was getting the best of care. I had four years of uninterrupted good health following.
In 2008 I was living in Singapore and still travelling extensively. I woke one morning with breathing problems, a pain across my chest and I was coughing up blood. I made the mistake of ignoring the symptoms and going to work that day (after a session at the gym…thinking that would fix it!). That night my symptoms became more severe and early that morning I went to the emergency department at the hospital, where I had chest x-rays and doctors referred me to a respiratory specialist. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and admitted to hospital. That night my condition greatly deteriorated and when my wife arrived in the morning, she demanded my doctor perform a CT Scan as she suspected I had a blood clot. A CT Scan was conducted which confirmed I had a blood clot in my lung, a Pulmonary Embolism. I was injected with blood thinners and following discharge from hospital I was on Warfarin for 12 months. Once again I would see Dr. Baker as soon as I could get to Perth for his assessment of my situation and blood clot prevention options.
Since returning to Perth in 2010, I have been under the care of Dr. Baker. As part of my preventative regime to reduce the risk of another blood clot, I am now on Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), wear a compression stocking and am keeping myself fit and healthy. I am in good health, yet always wary of the (50%) potential of a reoccurrence.
I was motivated to tell my story as a precautionary tale about getting immediate medical attention if you think you have a blood clot – I was very lucky to go 48 hrs without treatment as the mortality rate is not good for undiagnosed and untreated Pulmonary Embolism. Lesson, don’t delay! I would also like to acknowledge and support the outstanding work of Dr. Baker and The Perth Blood Institute initiative and the advances being made in the care of people with blood disorders.
In 2004 I was living in Hong Kong and travelling extensively. One day I noticed I had a very swollen calf and upon the advice of my wife, went to hospital. They performed an ultrasound and it was confirmed that I had DVT. I was injected with blood thinners and following discharge from hospital I was on Warfarin for 6 months. On my next visit to Perth I organised to see Dr. Ross Baker, given his reputation as a prominent specialist and researcher in blood disorders, for a series of blood tests and to ensure I was getting the best of care. I had four years of uninterrupted good health following.
In 2008 I was living in Singapore and still travelling extensively. I woke one morning with breathing problems, a pain across my chest and I was coughing up blood. I made the mistake of ignoring the symptoms and going to work that day (after a session at the gym…thinking that would fix it!). That night my symptoms became more severe and early that morning I went to the emergency department at the hospital, where I had chest x-rays and doctors referred me to a respiratory specialist. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and admitted to hospital. That night my condition greatly deteriorated and when my wife arrived in the morning, she demanded my doctor perform a CT Scan as she suspected I had a blood clot. A CT Scan was conducted which confirmed I had a blood clot in my lung, a Pulmonary Embolism. I was injected with blood thinners and following discharge from hospital I was on Warfarin for 12 months. Once again I would see Dr. Baker as soon as I could get to Perth for his assessment of my situation and blood clot prevention options.
Since returning to Perth in 2010, I have been under the care of Dr. Baker. As part of my preventative regime to reduce the risk of another blood clot, I am now on Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), wear a compression stocking and am keeping myself fit and healthy. I am in good health, yet always wary of the (50%) potential of a reoccurrence.
I was motivated to tell my story as a precautionary tale about getting immediate medical attention if you think you have a blood clot – I was very lucky to go 48 hrs without treatment as the mortality rate is not good for undiagnosed and untreated Pulmonary Embolism. Lesson, don’t delay! I would also like to acknowledge and support the outstanding work of Dr. Baker and The Perth Blood Institute initiative and the advances being made in the care of people with blood disorders.
Jamie Miller
Jamie Miller
My name is Jamie Miller. At the age of five I was diagnosed with severe ITP, very low platelet levels. The normal range is 150-450 but mine have been in the single digits for as long as I can remember.
Over the years I have tried all conventional medications without any success, including a splenectomy. Recently, through The Perth Blood Institute, I started a clinical trial medication and have had some good results. Currently, I am the only person in Perth on this medical trial, hopefully there are more people out there who can be given the same opportunity. My platelets are now in double digits and I no longer suffer from bleeding gums. While these results weren't as good as initially hoped for, they have improved part of my life that was a real headache for me. Waking up in the middle of the night with a mouthful of blood is something I don't miss!
The research conducted at The Perth Blood Insitute gives patients like me, hope that a condition I have had to live with all my life, may one day be a thing of the past. There are a lot of people out there a far worse off than me which makes this type of research so vitally important.
The staff are all great and a pleasure to deal with and I would like to acknowledge and support the expertise of Dr. Baker and The Perth Blood Institute team in the care of people with blood disorders.
My name is Jamie Miller. At the age of five I was diagnosed with severe ITP, very low platelet levels. The normal range is 150-450 but mine have been in the single digits for as long as I can remember.
Over the years I have tried all conventional medications without any success, including a splenectomy. Recently, through The Perth Blood Institute, I started a clinical trial medication and have had some good results. Currently, I am the only person in Perth on this medical trial, hopefully there are more people out there who can be given the same opportunity. My platelets are now in double digits and I no longer suffer from bleeding gums. While these results weren't as good as initially hoped for, they have improved part of my life that was a real headache for me. Waking up in the middle of the night with a mouthful of blood is something I don't miss!
The research conducted at The Perth Blood Insitute gives patients like me, hope that a condition I have had to live with all my life, may one day be a thing of the past. There are a lot of people out there a far worse off than me which makes this type of research so vitally important.
The staff are all great and a pleasure to deal with and I would like to acknowledge and support the expertise of Dr. Baker and The Perth Blood Institute team in the care of people with blood disorders.
Thomas Lang
Thomas Lang
Some three years ago around 2012, following months of consultations with various medical practitioners, I was diagnosed with a cancerous growth in my lower back. After six months of ministrations by Professor Baker my cancer disappeared and I am still in remission.
Reflecting back on those times, one thing became very clear – the ability for Professor Baker to use one’s blood as window into the body to locate and identify malfunctions within.
Not only is the blood a window to the body, it is a magnificent means of introducing the drugs and medicines to ward off and cure severe illness. With this in mind, I congratulate and express my sincere gratitude to professor Baker for his profound knowledge as an oncologist and haematologist. More than this, Professor Baker has dedicated much of his time in an insatiable quest about blood and its place in future medicinal treatments of human illness. He and his team at the Perth Blood Institute now provide a wonderful platform to further treatment into the future of blood technology.
I commend him sincerely for his enthusiasm and wish him and his colleagues every success.
Some three years ago around 2012, following months of consultations with various medical practitioners, I was diagnosed with a cancerous growth in my lower back. After six months of ministrations by Professor Baker my cancer disappeared and I am still in remission.
Reflecting back on those times, one thing became very clear – the ability for Professor Baker to use one’s blood as window into the body to locate and identify malfunctions within.
Not only is the blood a window to the body, it is a magnificent means of introducing the drugs and medicines to ward off and cure severe illness. With this in mind, I congratulate and express my sincere gratitude to professor Baker for his profound knowledge as an oncologist and haematologist. More than this, Professor Baker has dedicated much of his time in an insatiable quest about blood and its place in future medicinal treatments of human illness. He and his team at the Perth Blood Institute now provide a wonderful platform to further treatment into the future of blood technology.
I commend him sincerely for his enthusiasm and wish him and his colleagues every success.
Gail Edmondson
Gail Edmondson
At the age of 51 in September 2006, I was diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester Disease after many years of bone pain in my shins, forearm and jaw. I had yellow growth on the upper eye lids, lumps removed from both cheek bones and swollen mandibular glands. From my mid 30s I had root canal treatment in most of my molars because of jaw pain, but perfect teeth and the dentist was not really happy to perform.
Once diagnosed, the first treatment of Interferon injections daily for 3 months did not help. The ongoing pain seemingly in my whole body was still there. I lost a lot of weight and could hardly get about. By chance I was referred to an oncologist, Andrew Dean and subsequently had doses of a number of chemo drugs, including Cyclophosamide and Cladribine. In a matter of weeks the pain subsided and all lumps receded. Erdheim-Chester Disease is very rare and is known for disabling internal organs affecting my kidneys which required uretic stents. These need replacing every 12 months. For a number of months from 2010, I’d been losing blood in my urine and had a number of blood transfusions. An anaesthetist was not happy with a blood test prior to having the stents replaced and suggested I see an Oncologist. He referred me to Dr Ross Baker. I did not get to see him in his rooms as I was rushed to Hollywood Hospital as an emergency with a right calf DVT.
I presented as a difficult case to treat, because I was not only haemorrhaging but also clotting at the same time. Acquired Haemophilia was diagnosed and I was treated over a couple of months with doses of Mabthera and Prednisolone which stabilised my condition. The Prednisolone was gradually reduced over 3 years to the point of stopping.
Dr Baker reviews my bloods regularly to keep a close eye on me. He always comments that I caused his loss of hair!! I see a number of specialists because of the Erdheim-Chester Disease and am truly grateful to them all for keeping me alive. I am particularly grateful for Dr Baker's knowledge and expertise and know that I would not be the only patient who has made him pull his hair out! His work and research at the Perth Blood Institute together with his team, is extremely important and must be supported.
At the age of 51 in September 2006, I was diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester Disease after many years of bone pain in my shins, forearm and jaw. I had yellow growth on the upper eye lids, lumps removed from both cheek bones and swollen mandibular glands. From my mid 30s I had root canal treatment in most of my molars because of jaw pain, but perfect teeth and the dentist was not really happy to perform.
Once diagnosed, the first treatment of Interferon injections daily for 3 months did not help. The ongoing pain seemingly in my whole body was still there. I lost a lot of weight and could hardly get about. By chance I was referred to an oncologist, Andrew Dean and subsequently had doses of a number of chemo drugs, including Cyclophosamide and Cladribine. In a matter of weeks the pain subsided and all lumps receded. Erdheim-Chester Disease is very rare and is known for disabling internal organs affecting my kidneys which required uretic stents. These need replacing every 12 months. For a number of months from 2010, I’d been losing blood in my urine and had a number of blood transfusions. An anaesthetist was not happy with a blood test prior to having the stents replaced and suggested I see an Oncologist. He referred me to Dr Ross Baker. I did not get to see him in his rooms as I was rushed to Hollywood Hospital as an emergency with a right calf DVT.
I presented as a difficult case to treat, because I was not only haemorrhaging but also clotting at the same time. Acquired Haemophilia was diagnosed and I was treated over a couple of months with doses of Mabthera and Prednisolone which stabilised my condition. The Prednisolone was gradually reduced over 3 years to the point of stopping.
Dr Baker reviews my bloods regularly to keep a close eye on me. He always comments that I caused his loss of hair!! I see a number of specialists because of the Erdheim-Chester Disease and am truly grateful to them all for keeping me alive. I am particularly grateful for Dr Baker's knowledge and expertise and know that I would not be the only patient who has made him pull his hair out! His work and research at the Perth Blood Institute together with his team, is extremely important and must be supported.
Ashley Wakefield
Ashley Wakefield
My name is Ashley Wakefield and on 3 August 2012, 5 days before my 60th birthday, I was informed that I had Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, mantel cell. The discovery was quite by accident as a result of a colonoscopy which I had every 3 years for the past 18 years.
I never really felt unwell or had any signs, only that I encountered what I now know, as night sweats, which I thought was just male menopause. I was advised by my gastroenterologist that Prof. Ross Baker was the best in his field in Perth and I would be lucky if I was able to get an appointment with him.
Fortunately I was lucky and on the 7 August I had my initial appointment. As a result of this, I underwent blood tests and many scans and was admitted to Hollywood Hospital on 13 August 2012, to undergo my first round of chemo.
The initial diagnosis, I had stage 3 - 4 cancer and through a PET scan it was discovered it had spread throughout my body and centered in the spleen. The chemo was administered in two different stages, A and B, each administered continuously over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday with a two-week interval between doses. No one can prepare you for the chemo journey, as it is an individual one that is physically and emotionally draining.
I believe I am very lucky as I had the best oncologist, Prof. Ross Baker and his staff, the best hospital staff in Donaldson and Starcevich wards and most importantly the most loving and caring wife and family who helped me endure the journey. I will always be in their debt. My concentrated chemo treatment finished 12 December 2012 when I was diagnosed as being in remission. I returned to full time work 29 December 2012 much to everyone’s surprise!
In 2013 I received monthly doses of Mabthera then 2014 it was administered bi-monthly and since 2 February 2015 I have not received any treatment.
December 2015 - I have now been in remission for three years and am deeply indebted and thankful for the professionalism and caring of all those who looked after me for the past three and a half years, especially my wife and family, Prof. Ross Baker and his team and staff at Hollywood Hospital.
My name is Ashley Wakefield and on 3 August 2012, 5 days before my 60th birthday, I was informed that I had Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, mantel cell. The discovery was quite by accident as a result of a colonoscopy which I had every 3 years for the past 18 years.
I never really felt unwell or had any signs, only that I encountered what I now know, as night sweats, which I thought was just male menopause. I was advised by my gastroenterologist that Prof. Ross Baker was the best in his field in Perth and I would be lucky if I was able to get an appointment with him.
Fortunately I was lucky and on the 7 August I had my initial appointment. As a result of this, I underwent blood tests and many scans and was admitted to Hollywood Hospital on 13 August 2012, to undergo my first round of chemo.
The initial diagnosis, I had stage 3 - 4 cancer and through a PET scan it was discovered it had spread throughout my body and centered in the spleen. The chemo was administered in two different stages, A and B, each administered continuously over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday with a two-week interval between doses. No one can prepare you for the chemo journey, as it is an individual one that is physically and emotionally draining.
I believe I am very lucky as I had the best oncologist, Prof. Ross Baker and his staff, the best hospital staff in Donaldson and Starcevich wards and most importantly the most loving and caring wife and family who helped me endure the journey. I will always be in their debt. My concentrated chemo treatment finished 12 December 2012 when I was diagnosed as being in remission. I returned to full time work 29 December 2012 much to everyone’s surprise!
In 2013 I received monthly doses of Mabthera then 2014 it was administered bi-monthly and since 2 February 2015 I have not received any treatment.
December 2015 - I have now been in remission for three years and am deeply indebted and thankful for the professionalism and caring of all those who looked after me for the past three and a half years, especially my wife and family, Prof. Ross Baker and his team and staff at Hollywood Hospital.
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