Our beautiful Laura is now at home, recovering from two brain surgeries and serious post-surgical complications, as we wait for her to begin radiotherapy and chemotherapy for a Grade 3 astrocytoma — an aggressive and life-changing brain tumour. While we are grateful she is finally home with us, the journey to get here has been terrifying, and the road ahead is still long and uncertain.

What began as a sudden medical emergency while we were in Thailand quickly became every family’s worst nightmare. Laura was taken critically ill, admitted to hospital, and required urgent treatment far from home. She was later medically transported back to the UAE so she could receive specialist neuro-oncology care. Sadly, because the emergency happened abroad and under complex circumstances, much of this treatment and the medical transport were not covered by our insurance.

Since returning to the UAE, Laura has endured two major brain surgeries — the first to remove as much of the tumour as possible, and the second to treat serious complications that followed, including dangerous brain swelling and blood vessel spasms. She spent time in ICU, heavily sedated, on ventilators, undergoing constant scans, blood transfusions, and intensive monitoring. There were moments when we didn’t know if she would wake up, let alone recover.

Now, after everything her body has been through, Laura is finally home — exhausted, in pain, and still dealing with neurological symptoms and seizures — while we wait for oncology treatment to begin. The waiting itself is agonising, knowing the tumour was aggressive and that radiotherapy and possibly chemotherapy are essential for her chance of long-term survival.

Laura is not only my wife — she is an incredible mum to our two young children, aged 10 and 7. They have watched their mum disappear into hospitals and ICUs, unable to understand why she hasn’t been able to come home, why she can’t play or cuddle them the way she used to, and why life has changed so suddenly. Trying to reassure them while carrying our own fear has been heartbreaking beyond words.

Between emergency treatment abroad, two brain surgeries, ICU stays, scans, medications, neurological care, and now upcoming radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the medical costs have become overwhelming. Despite living in the UAE, our insurance is covering only a small portion of what Laura needs, leaving us facing bills that continue to grow while she is still fighting for her life.

At a time when our only focus should be helping Laura heal and keeping our children emotionally safe, we are instead forced to worry constantly about how we will afford the treatment that gives her the best chance to survive.

We are asking, with truly humble hearts, for any support you may be able to offer. Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward Laura’s medical bills and essential cancer treatment. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing our story means more than you can imagine.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read Laura’s story, for your kindness, your prayers, and your support. Your generosity is giving Laura the chance to keep fighting — and giving our children hope that their mum will be here with them for many more years to come.