Hello my name is Natalie Harvey I am 27 years old and from Papua New Guinea now residing in Scottsdale Tasmania and I am not classed as an Australian citizen therefore not eligible for Medicare, ndis or any other help to cover costs of past or ongoing medical treatment or modifications to the home when I can return home.

I like spending time with friends and family, exploring the outdoors, going to the beach, walking our dogs, swimming, fishing and BBQs

Some history about us due to Covid neither of us could travel to be with each other then when rules were relaxed I couldn’t travel due to waiting for a perspective spouse visa and a visitor visa could not be approved due to this also.

After 4 years apart we were finally back together on January 30th 2024 and were wed on October 13 2024 and after only a few very short months I fell ill and was admitted to Launceston General Hospital (LGH) on 14th January 2025.

Once being reviewed at Launceston and being diagnosed with multiple brain lesions I was flown to Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) the same night to undergo multiple brain surgeries for biopsy.

Upon receiving results from the infectious disease team which included doctors Australia wide I was diagnosed with Cerebral Tuberculosis also known as Tuberculosis Meningitis (TBM) with multiple Brain Lesions (TBI) Traumatic Brain Injury.

Given less than 5% chance of survival my treatment now begins multiple surgeries with drains placed to relieve pressure from my brain along with aggressive medications which did not work.

Due to swelling on the brain I had to undergo brain surgery again to place a drain while the infectious medical team had to rethink my treatment plan and an experimental treatment for my condition was proposed which had to be approved by the medical board started to work.

During this time Ben spent the first few weeks with me in Hobart then travelled to Hobart everyday from Scottsdale.

Then once the infectious medical team thought there would be no further brain surgeries needed and I had stabilised I was moved to Launceston to be closer to home (Scottsdale) and my husband Ben.

Ben is my primary care giver and cannot work and travels to see me on a daily basis to administer my multiple medications and my hygiene needs as I can be reluctant to accept treatment from others.

My family is in Papua New Guinea and cannot afford to travel to see me which I would dearly love to see. When possible I would like to return to Papua New Guinea to see family and friends as I really need my family’s love and support more than ever to lift my spirits and boost my confidence. When I am able to travel Ben would needs to travel with me to help me reach my destination and also to continue administering my medications and my hygiene.

After 7 months of treatment and rehab I can take some steps with assistance the left hand side of my body is ok but my right side has a long way to go and am reliant on a wheelchair and other assistance aids.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm being fair to Ben, we married expecting a happy & full life now he is my everything in total & I know I would not be here without his love & support which has been sorely tested much to my health decline.

We don't know what the future holds,but any help would be more than greatly appreciated. I'm trying my hardest to recover to ease that weight upon Ben's shoulders.

If anyone out there can help carry the load,we both thank you for caring enough to help no matter what you can manage to donate. God Bless You all for taking the time to read our story so far.

Love Natalie