To our dear friends, family and beyond,

Seven weeks ago, our lives were turned upside down when my husband Andy suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed in front of me at home. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance and placed on life support in intensive care. During this time, scans revealed a brain tumour that has subsequently been identified as Glioblastoma – an aggressive brain cancer for which there is currently no cure and a very poor prognosis with standard care via the NHS.

Since this time, Andy has navigated two hospital admissions, brain surgery to remove the tumour and so many other procedures and tests, it has been impossible to keep count. Next week he begins six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by six further months of chemotherapy. He has approached each challenge with courage and composure, and I am utterly in awe of him.

Alongside caring for Andy, I have spent my time immersing myself in all the research I can find – I simply cannot and will not tolerate that treatment for brain cancer has not advanced in the last 30 years. As many people in a similar situation say: we can accept the diagnosis, but we cannot accept the prognosis. No one should be faced with this devastating situation - Andy deserves more time on this earth, and Esme desperately deserves to have her beloved daddy by her side as she grows up.

Through my extensive research, I have discovered that there are treatments we can try for Andy that have shown to have real success with people, extending life expectancy way beyond the time we have been given. However, the challenge has been getting these treatments into mainstream practice in the UK. For this reason, we will need to coordinate and fund these treatments ourselves – and the costs are eye watering. I am currently unable to work due to my caring responsibilities, which is why I am here now, sharing such deeply personal information and asking for your support.

As someone who has dedicated her life and career to helping others, it really does not come easily to me to ask for help, but I cannot convey how desperately I want to give Andy and our family more time together. When our first daughter died at birth in 2016, Andy threw himself into helping others by cycling the length of the USA and raising much needed funds and awareness for a baby loss charity.

Now we really need the help ourselves.

The treatment options we are exploring outside of standard care include immunotherapy and personalised vaccines that are made from parts of Andy’s tumour and his blood cells. Some of these things can take place in the UK, but many treatments are offered in Germany, where so many people with the same diagnosis travel in search of hope.

Having spoken to those who are (incredibly, given the prognosis) years ahead of us, we know that this could cost in excess of £150k. This is why I sit here now, writing with my heart on my sleeve asking for your help. If you feel able to, we would be so grateful if you could donate anything to enable our small family to have more time together. We also know that sharing these pages far and wide can also help, so if you can repost and share as much as you can, please do.

I have started writing again and will be sharing updates and more reflections on coping when life doesn’t go as planned on my Substack which you can read here . When our life imploded 10 years ago, writing really saved me – I hope that 10 years later, writing can save my husband and Esme’s daddy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read. We are thankful for any support you can give.

Much love,

Michelle x

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