Help Lauren with Urgent Brain Tumour Treatment

Hello,

For those of you who do not know me personally yet, my name is Lauren. I am 27 years of age and grew up on the Gold Coast, Australia.

In December 2020, we discovered that I was hosting a large Brain Tumour inside my head. My symptoms were constant and very quickly began to impact my life and ability to function.

With the help of all who graciously supported us at the time, I put myself through every therapy available in Australia that we could get our hands on, which could potentially help my body fight the tumour and to get Real answers as to what was going on, why it was there and increasing in size.

In December 2021, we saw some improvements to my overall health, however, I began to decline and the tumour continued to grow. This led to my decision to have Brain Surgery to remove the Mass. We were exhausted.

The Surgeon was confident that all of the tumour had been removed and it was a successful surgery.

2021 was the most grueling and testing year of my life. I was 24 going on 25 and I chose to sacrifice everything I knew and anything that could offer me a chance to heal. Whether it be my favourite foods, my lifestyle, my self-image, my preferences, my time, my education, my money, my job, etc. I was willing to, and did, give up anything and everything to find answers that could help and offer us insight into how to overcome this. My life was turned upside down and inside out.

I experienced chronic pain including Trigeminal Neuralgia, constant headaches and neck pain, severe sensitivities to lights and sounds, anxiety, depression, digestive issues and histamine intolerance, just to name a few. I reacted to all of the foods I ate and quickly learned there was more going on in my body than the Doctors gave it credit for.

Post surgery, my health has been a continual focus in my life both to find answers and to give myself the best chance at good health long term.

It has been almost two years since I had surgery and the time has been spent recovering, completing my bachelor's degree, transitioning back to my fulltime career as a Quantity Surveyor, working to improve my mental, emotional and physical health, and remembering how to live, socialise, and have fun again.

After two Post Op follow up with my surgeon which included MRI scans and review, everything seemed on track. No issues were pointed out on my scans, and life seemed to move forward.

That was until the 23rd of October 2023, when I had my next planned / routine follow up MRI as per protocol, 18 months on.

That evening, I received the scans from the radiologist and instantly knew something was not right. My partner was away, and I was swiftly reminded of my mortality.

The more I looked and compared the different scans, the more I knew what I was seeing, and the devastation started to set in. It was weeks before we could fully comprehend the changes that could be seen on the MRI Scans. Safe to say I began diving back into my research, shifting my behaviours, diet, and lifestyle right back to the foundations learned during 2021.

Clay and I needed to process this news, what it meant, how our somewhat newfound normal lives were about to change all over again. Unfortunately, Clay has been working away for months at a time and it has been very hard to get our heads around this challenging news and begin to organise everything.

Not long after the MRI we saw my surgeon, where he confirmed the news and proceeded to explain that surgery was incredibly risky and not a viable option like the last time. His reasoning was that the tumour had reoccurred in a location called the Superior Sagittal Sinus (SSS) and operations are rarely undertaken due to the significant risk of severe stroke and death. He then referred me to an Oncologist whom I now needed on my team.

After seeing the Oncologist, she confirmed the urgency of the situation and reinforced we have a short timeframe to take action, because my life is now at risk.

With the above in mind, my options for overcoming this new health hurdle and continuing to live a long life are to undertake treatments that are not available within Australia, which are as follows:

Travel to Prague or Germany (TBC) and receive Proton Beam Therapy

https://www.ptc.cz/cs/lecba-rakoviny/hlava-a-krk/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/proton-therapy

Send tumour sample to Germany for extensive testing to determine genetic and growth drivers and guide treatment moving forward. This testing is not available in Australia and is the surest and most accurate way to prevent future tumours and further recurrence.

Our next move is to continue attending the Doctors & Specialist Appointments, gather as much advice, guidance and support as possible, while continuing to transform my life into a regimented routine of strict health protocols and supportive therapies and a low stress environment.

I know that I may not look ‘sick’ but I want to feel as good as I look.

I don’t believe its my time yet and I want to live the years that I look like I have left.

This is where we need your help!!

The best chance I have of surviving and getting through this is raising enough funds to travel overseas for the treatments that are not currently available within Australia as mentioned above.

Previously, you all helped me tremendously to get through the prior situation to which we are still beyond grateful for.

Now we must ask for your help once more.

Somehow, we couldn’t have imagined it could get much worse or more serious than before, however here we are and if I am to receive the necessary treatments, we will need your help.

How Can You Help:

Once we raise enough funds, I will be able to have the necessary treatment. All donations will go directly toward the extensive treatments, medications and associated medical costs. In the event of there being any surplus, the funds will be donated to similar causes and brain tumour research charities. All help is gratefully received, and we look forward to keeping you up to date!

Your kindness, support and generosity, no matter how great or small, will help make a difference to my life.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!

PS: Don't be alarmed if your donation doesn't appear on our page immediately, all donations are checked and verified by ‘GoFundMe’ first and will then appear once approved. THANK YOU!!

PPS: Previously, I was not well enough to post and keep everyone up to date, my days often consisted of being bedridden or on the couch in agony for whole days. I didn’t sleep for months, and when I did sleep, I woke in the middle of the night in agony also. Things are slightly different now, whilst the danger is higher, my symptoms are not the same at this time. We plan to keep you all in the loop as best we can through this journey and will be utilising socials. Please follow our Instagram for Fundraising updates.

#HelpLaurenwithUrgentBrainTumourTreatment