Help Julie cover unexpected costs after spinal cord tumour

Hello everyone my name is Julie and I’m looking to raise some funds to cover some costs such as loss of income and adaptations after my recent surgery for removal of a spinal cord tumour. I would also love to be able to take my son on a nice holiday with everything he has been through

My story actually starts in 2014… I was pregnant with my son Connor (pictured) when I started experiencing back and leg pain. After a trip to the GP and maternity physio, I was told I had sciatica that would likely go away after the birth of my son. Unfortunately it didn’t… I went back and forth to both my GP as well as physio. I was told it was sciatica, likely due to a herniated disc however it was unlikely I would qualify for surgery due to the risks vs benefits. That went on for another 10 years… GPs, physios and a few trips to A&E when the pain got unbearable! I was always faced with the same narrative. I was never referred for any scans to confirm this diagnosis.

Fast forward to November 2024, I seen another new physio who referred me for an MRI. I received this on 24/12/24 and this was followed up with a phone call from my physio on 31/12/24 to advise the MRI indicated an urgent referral to neurosurgery. At this point I started to worry slightly but also thought it’s likely the disc that everyone was talking about is maybe getting worse. I didn’t think too much into it at that point.

On 3/1/25, I received a call from neurosurgery to advise I had an appointment on 9/1/25 and also have an MRI of my whole spine on the same date… I started to feel wonder what may be going on as everything was now moving so quickly after 10 years of being told nothing could really be done and pain killers were the only option.

On 9/1/25, I met with my neurosurgeon who told me I had a large tumour within my spinal cord and it was also intertwined with the nerves of my back. They told me my symptoms all this time were likely to be due to this.

On 28/1/25 I had my surgery. A laminectomy from T11-L3 vertebrae. I woke up and had no sensation below my right knee and reduced sensation/tingling below my left knee. I couldn’t even turn myself over in bed! It took me 1.5 weeks to be able to turn myself over in bed.

I worked very hard and am now home, I can walk with crutches from my front door into a car. Any further than that and I am still using a wheelchair. I have lost power and sensation in my right foot which has not yet returned. Doctors are unsure if this will ever return however nothing is certain until two years after which they then expect any changes will be permanent.

I am looking for support to raise funds for general new and unexpected costs. I have also had to leave my current job, I am lucky I have been offered a different job working from home however this has come at a massive wage cut. I’m sure you can empathise that although wages go down, bills do not.

Any donation is much appreciated and I hope my story inspires anyone going through something similar, or feeling like they know more is going on than health professionals believe, to keep pushing and advocating for yourself. Do not give up thank you!