Korben’s Journey
Donation protected
KORBEN’S JOURNEY (Brain Tumour – Germinoma)
All they can say is “that its been a whirl wind” from watching their son being a typical teenager to fighting brain tumours.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Korben at the age of 16 was doing everything a teenager lad would do except for GROW!! So part of a Mother’s instinct, Sharron took him to the doctors in March 2019 - Blood tests took place resulting in a brain scan (MRI)
ALARMED – but still didn’t think much of it, in July 2019, the MRI showed Korben had a mass on his pituitary gland – Steroids were prescribed. Later MRI’s and CT scans proved this wasn’t working so September 30th 2019 a referral to Queen Elizabeth Birmingham was given.
DIAGNOSIS - October 2nd 2019, A diagnosis was given of
- Craniopharyngioma (A rare type of brain tumour)
Panhypopituitarism (A inadequate or absent production o the anterior pituitary hormones)
- Diabetes Insipidus (A rare condition where you urinate a lot and often feel extremely thirsty)
They were told that surgery would be needed due to the size and location of the tumour.
Further scans and tests took place and surgery was carried out on February 2nd 2020. After 6 ½ hours of brain surgery, and whilst recovering in hospital, on February 10th 2020, the surgeon came to give the bombshell news that Korben had been mis-diagnosed and that his mass was a Germinoma – A cancerous tumour.
Following further MRI’s, CT scans, lumbar punctures and a referral to an oncologist, on Feb 13th 2020 they were given the news that there was also a second tumour on the pineal gland and that Proton Beam therapy would be needed to treat it.
PROTON BEAM THERAPY - Funding was applied for in Manchester, Germany and Florida. On Feb 20th 2020, Korben had a CSF leak (brain fluid) which lead to Korben having 2 major brain surgeries within 3 weeks.
Feb 26th 2020 funding was approved and the Christie in Manchester had accepted him – the relief was immense by all.
March 9th and March 10th 2020 – A mask was made and scans took place for the Proton Beam therapy journey to begin.
March 30th 2020 – Sharron, Russell and Korben began the journey to Manchester for Korben’s 5/6 week course to begin.
During this time, Korben has been facing hours and hours on a daily basis of treatment.
So some might be thinking, why donate?
Well during this crucial time, Korben reached one of his milestones in life – reaching 18 and it was one he will never forget, for all the wrong reasons. We would like to help him stay positive and have something to look forward to and more memorable at the end of this.
If you can, in anyway help financially it will be greatly appreciated - however small – and if not, then PLEASE SHARE – every little helps.
#KORBENSJOURNEY
All they can say is “that its been a whirl wind” from watching their son being a typical teenager to fighting brain tumours.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Korben at the age of 16 was doing everything a teenager lad would do except for GROW!! So part of a Mother’s instinct, Sharron took him to the doctors in March 2019 - Blood tests took place resulting in a brain scan (MRI)
ALARMED – but still didn’t think much of it, in July 2019, the MRI showed Korben had a mass on his pituitary gland – Steroids were prescribed. Later MRI’s and CT scans proved this wasn’t working so September 30th 2019 a referral to Queen Elizabeth Birmingham was given.
DIAGNOSIS - October 2nd 2019, A diagnosis was given of
- Craniopharyngioma (A rare type of brain tumour)
Panhypopituitarism (A inadequate or absent production o the anterior pituitary hormones)
- Diabetes Insipidus (A rare condition where you urinate a lot and often feel extremely thirsty)
They were told that surgery would be needed due to the size and location of the tumour.
Further scans and tests took place and surgery was carried out on February 2nd 2020. After 6 ½ hours of brain surgery, and whilst recovering in hospital, on February 10th 2020, the surgeon came to give the bombshell news that Korben had been mis-diagnosed and that his mass was a Germinoma – A cancerous tumour.
Following further MRI’s, CT scans, lumbar punctures and a referral to an oncologist, on Feb 13th 2020 they were given the news that there was also a second tumour on the pineal gland and that Proton Beam therapy would be needed to treat it.
PROTON BEAM THERAPY - Funding was applied for in Manchester, Germany and Florida. On Feb 20th 2020, Korben had a CSF leak (brain fluid) which lead to Korben having 2 major brain surgeries within 3 weeks.
Feb 26th 2020 funding was approved and the Christie in Manchester had accepted him – the relief was immense by all.
March 9th and March 10th 2020 – A mask was made and scans took place for the Proton Beam therapy journey to begin.
March 30th 2020 – Sharron, Russell and Korben began the journey to Manchester for Korben’s 5/6 week course to begin.
During this time, Korben has been facing hours and hours on a daily basis of treatment.
So some might be thinking, why donate?
Well during this crucial time, Korben reached one of his milestones in life – reaching 18 and it was one he will never forget, for all the wrong reasons. We would like to help him stay positive and have something to look forward to and more memorable at the end of this.
If you can, in anyway help financially it will be greatly appreciated - however small – and if not, then PLEASE SHARE – every little helps.
#KORBENSJOURNEY
Co-organizers (2)
Chloe Mansfield
Organizer
Korben Tonks
Co-organizer