Let's do this for Isabel

                                                                                                      Isabel's Story

On Thursday 22nd February 2018, Isabel Morison was diagnosed with a primary glioblastoma, a grade 4 and the most fast growing and aggressive form of brain cancer, considered incurable.   The lives of her and her husband Stuart were turned upside down and the biggest battle of their life began.

Isabel, who is just 39, lives in Aughton, Ormskirk with her husband Stuart and their two children, 9 year old Dylan and 6 year old Lucy.  Isabel and Stuart have been married for 13 years and together since they were childhood sweethearts.  She is a much loved and valued member of staff at Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby, having worked there for the last 16 years teaching music.

Diagnosis

It all started over the Christmas period of 2017 when Isabel started with a series of headaches which continued over the course of the following months.  Isabel has always been such a fit and healthy lady who has a passion for running and in the past has competed in the London and New York marathons, to name a few. But these headaches were completely debilitating and together with tiredness and fatigue, she was completely knocked off her feet, like nothing she’d ever experienced.  

Being the mum that she is, Isabel carried on trying her best to hide it from the children, until one morning in February, after a horrendous night of headaches and being doubled over in so much pain, she saw the children off to school and then dialled 111.  An ambulance was sent straight away and she was taken to Southport Hospital where she was immediately admitted and over the next few days underwent a series of investigations to include  CT, MRI scans and lumbar puncture.

Brain Surgery

On 28th February she was referred to Walton Neurology centre, they confirmed it was most likely to be a primary tumour and scheduled an operation to remove it. They explained they would make an incision on the right side of her head, losing hair and bone and replacing the bone with metal plates.   One week later, on 7th March, Isabel had brain surgery, not the best birthday Stuart had ever had!  The surgeon managed to remove most, but not all the tumour.

It was then on 28th March she received the results of the operation and unfortunately was dealt with the devastating news that it was an aggressive glioblastoma.  

Treatment

Isabel began a course of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined to target the cancerous cells which couldn’t be removed by surgery.  This involved daily trips to Clatterbridge hospital over a 6 week period.  She received radiotherapy alongside the chemotherapy drug, temozolomide (TMZ) every day.  Then after a short break, after the radiotherapy had finished, Isabel is now continuing with a further course of TMZ, which she will continue with for the next 6 months.

Optune Trial

At the beginning of May, Isabel was offered the chance to try a new pioneering treatment which is not currently available on the NHS, in conjunction with the treatment she was already receiving.   

Optune, is a non-invasive technique which uses electric fields, delivered via a set of adhesive patches worn like a skull cap.  The treatment helps to prevent the tumour from growing or spreading quickly and is to be worn between 17-24 hours daily and applied to a completely shaved head.

After receiving the news that there had been no change in the tumour, following the first course of radio/chemotherapy, Isabel felt she couldn’t afford to let this opportunity pass and made the brave decision to go ahead with the Optune trial.

A couple of days before it was scheduled to begin, Isabel took control and bravely arranged for her hair to be shaved in preparation for the treatment.  It was always going to be a difficult thing to do, as most women can understand and especially as Isabel had the most beautiful, long dark hair.  She donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity for children who suffer hair loss from cancer or other illnesses.

Isabel’s Battle

The last 6 months have certainly proven to have been the most toughest of times for Isabel, as also in June she sadly lost her beloved mum after a lifetime of battling Multiple Sclerosis. But throughout, Isabel has shown nothing but bravery, positivity, optimism and such amazing courage.  

She inspires all who know her and you can’t help but be in awe of the amazing courageous lady that she is.  Her life has been completely turned around and significantly different from the one she once knew.

Despite everything, Isabel will fight this with everything she’s got to continue to be the best mum to Dylan and Lucy, and wife to Stuart and she intends to win this battle for her family. 

Further Treatments

Unfortunately, glioblastoma is so aggressive and unpredictable and cancer treatments are limited in the UK, Isabel and Stuart are constantly researching for other treatment options. They are considering a treatment called Immunotherapy which is known to be working successfully in treating  some previously incurable cancers.  Immunotherapy is a revolutionary treatment which works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.  But this treatment is only available privately and costs over £200,000. 

Fundraising

However, the reality is that they need to raise as much money as possible, with limited time due to the prognosis of this condition.   Both Isabel and Stuart are looking to use all of their savings together with funds raised by family and friends.  We hope with the help of the local community and beyond we can achieve this and enable Isabel to receive the treatment she desperately requires.

Recently Isabel has helped raised over £13,000 for Macmillan cancer charity through the help and support of her friends and colleagues from Sacred Heart college.  They organised a successful family fun day and 5k run in support of Isabel and MacMillan.  Isabel will continue to support these charities alongside her own, ‘GoFundMe’ fundraising campaign  

If we can get Isabel well again, we're not just helping her, but ensuring here children get the childhood they deserve.

Thanks for taking the time to read Isabel’s story and for your support.

Lets do this for Isabel!