Help Laurie beat brain cancer (GBM)
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Laurie is a well known, much loved, 34 year old Wollongong local. Easily recognisable with his full head of dreads, you may know him from the East Coast music scene or through his work as a carpenter. Laurie is one of the most down to earth, fun-loving guys you will ever meet! Always smiling and making friends where ever he goes.
In 2015 Laurie was diagnosed with a Stage 3 melanoma on his left calf. He had surgery to remove the melanoma, followed by a full lymph node dissection of his left groin. Laurie approached his melanoma diagnosis with the courageous and positive attitude that he is known for. He was able to return to work in 2016 and has had clear scans since.
On Wednesday the 29th of August 2018, concerning symptoms led to a CT scan of Laurie’s head which revealed the devastating news that he had a large mass in his brain. Given his medical history Doctors immediately suspected that the mass was a secondary melanoma. He was transferred to the RPA in Sydney and underwent a craniotomy to remove the mass on Friday the 31st of August.
Laurie’s operation went well and he was out of ICU within two days. On the ward Laurie quickly began befriending other patients, their families and staff. Despite his own situation, Laurie spent the majority of his time in hospital cheering up others.
Laurie and his family are very grateful for the wonderful care that he received during his stay at the RPA. Like any surgery a craniotomy carries serious risks and the speed of Laurie’s recovery astounded even his Neurosurgical team. However, sadly it turns out that the surgery was just the beginning of the challenges that lay ahead.
The mass was not a metastatic melanoma as first suspected, it was a primary brain tumour. Worse still, it was a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive cancer that begins within the brain. Laurie has now started a 6 week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the RPA. But despite these treatments the prognosis for GBM remains poor. Determined not to give up easily Laurie is looking at new treatment options that are currently only available overseas.
Whilst promising, overseas treatments are extremely expensive and this combined with everyday living expenses has placed a huge burden on Laurie and his partner Rhianna, who in a cruel twist of fate got the keys to their first home on the same day he was diagnosed! So we are asking for your assistance as Laurie faces his biggest battle yet. Funds raised will go directly towards Laurie’s medical treatments, travel and living expenses.
Please share this page so we can gather as much support for Laurie as possible in this time of need. He is a truly remarkable individual who continues to inspire those around him with his amazing strength and positive outlook on life.
In 2015 Laurie was diagnosed with a Stage 3 melanoma on his left calf. He had surgery to remove the melanoma, followed by a full lymph node dissection of his left groin. Laurie approached his melanoma diagnosis with the courageous and positive attitude that he is known for. He was able to return to work in 2016 and has had clear scans since.
On Wednesday the 29th of August 2018, concerning symptoms led to a CT scan of Laurie’s head which revealed the devastating news that he had a large mass in his brain. Given his medical history Doctors immediately suspected that the mass was a secondary melanoma. He was transferred to the RPA in Sydney and underwent a craniotomy to remove the mass on Friday the 31st of August.
Laurie’s operation went well and he was out of ICU within two days. On the ward Laurie quickly began befriending other patients, their families and staff. Despite his own situation, Laurie spent the majority of his time in hospital cheering up others.
Laurie and his family are very grateful for the wonderful care that he received during his stay at the RPA. Like any surgery a craniotomy carries serious risks and the speed of Laurie’s recovery astounded even his Neurosurgical team. However, sadly it turns out that the surgery was just the beginning of the challenges that lay ahead.
The mass was not a metastatic melanoma as first suspected, it was a primary brain tumour. Worse still, it was a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive cancer that begins within the brain. Laurie has now started a 6 week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the RPA. But despite these treatments the prognosis for GBM remains poor. Determined not to give up easily Laurie is looking at new treatment options that are currently only available overseas.
Whilst promising, overseas treatments are extremely expensive and this combined with everyday living expenses has placed a huge burden on Laurie and his partner Rhianna, who in a cruel twist of fate got the keys to their first home on the same day he was diagnosed! So we are asking for your assistance as Laurie faces his biggest battle yet. Funds raised will go directly towards Laurie’s medical treatments, travel and living expenses.
Please share this page so we can gather as much support for Laurie as possible in this time of need. He is a truly remarkable individual who continues to inspire those around him with his amazing strength and positive outlook on life.
Organisateur
Laurie Thompson
Organisateur
Tarrawanna NSW
