Keep Grinner grinning
Donation protected
Kate has a rare tumour that we all struggle to even pronounce properly and now she's been told it's life threatening. Nothing shy of a miracle is going to help...
We call her "Grinner" because of her amazing smile. She’s the one friend that will always get you laughing, and no matter what, nothing gets her down.
To our loss and their gain, Kate moved to Australia 10 years ago. But she still manages to stay in touch with her pommie friends all the time, making them laugh from down under.
We can't begin to tell you how hard it is knowing she’s over there dealing with this horrible situation and we can't even hug her. But we’re very grateful she has people in Australia who also adore her, providing the love and support she needs.
Since struggling with some serious back pain, numerous tests and MRI scans in September 2016 confirmed the diagnosis of a rare tumour in her spinal cord which is currently 19mm and continuing to grow. Due to the location and severity of the growth the tumour caused two discs in her neck to bulge (c6 and c7) and she had to have these discs removed. This operation alone was major and Kate was off work for a number of months, and is still in chronic pain now on a daily basis.
Kate has now started to experience changes in her reflexes and coordination, the continued growth of the tumour is what’s causing these changes and further pain. Following a consultation with three top neurosurgeons, the diagnosis is that it’s most likely an Ependymoma.
An Ependymoma is a tumour that arises from the ependyma, a tissue of the central nervous system. Because it’s located at the top of Kate’s spinal cord, a biopsy cannot be done, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not an option. The advice is that more surgery is the only solution. This involves opening the spinal cord to remove the tumour.
In December, following more consultations due to pain, Kate was advised the tumour is now life-threatening and surgery must take place in the next couple weeks. Time is not on her side.
The miracle we spoke of earlier comes in the form of Dr. Charles Teo, who really does think he can save Kate’s life. Dr. Teo is a world renowned tumour specialist, who Kate was referred to due to the rarity and complexity of her condition.
The location of the tumour is very rare and most neurosurgeons have never come across this or even removed a tumour of this size and location from the spinal cord. Dr. Charles Teo has agreed to take on Kate’s case and perform the surgery with spinal surgeon specialist Dr. Ralf Mobbs.
Without surgery Kate would become a tetraplegic which would result in the total loss of the use of all limbs and the ability to talk. The surgery has been booked for 18th January 2017.
Specialist physiotherapy will be required to help Kate after her operation as she has been told to expect she will have to learn to walk and talk again. All of this will come at a large cost and it is unknown how long Kate will be off work.
Those who know Kate know her as an outgoing, happy, fun person who is strong and independent.
This operation is not only costly but scary and the news has been very hard on her and her close friends and family.
We are looking for help to raise money to pay for this operation and provide Kate financial support for ongoing medical treatment that will be required after her operation.
We want to show her the love during this difficult time and hope that you will help us support Kate so she can get back on her feet and wind her neck in as quickly as possible.
Please help us to help our lovely friend, and keep Grinner grinning.
We call her "Grinner" because of her amazing smile. She’s the one friend that will always get you laughing, and no matter what, nothing gets her down.
To our loss and their gain, Kate moved to Australia 10 years ago. But she still manages to stay in touch with her pommie friends all the time, making them laugh from down under.
We can't begin to tell you how hard it is knowing she’s over there dealing with this horrible situation and we can't even hug her. But we’re very grateful she has people in Australia who also adore her, providing the love and support she needs.
Since struggling with some serious back pain, numerous tests and MRI scans in September 2016 confirmed the diagnosis of a rare tumour in her spinal cord which is currently 19mm and continuing to grow. Due to the location and severity of the growth the tumour caused two discs in her neck to bulge (c6 and c7) and she had to have these discs removed. This operation alone was major and Kate was off work for a number of months, and is still in chronic pain now on a daily basis.
Kate has now started to experience changes in her reflexes and coordination, the continued growth of the tumour is what’s causing these changes and further pain. Following a consultation with three top neurosurgeons, the diagnosis is that it’s most likely an Ependymoma.
An Ependymoma is a tumour that arises from the ependyma, a tissue of the central nervous system. Because it’s located at the top of Kate’s spinal cord, a biopsy cannot be done, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not an option. The advice is that more surgery is the only solution. This involves opening the spinal cord to remove the tumour.
In December, following more consultations due to pain, Kate was advised the tumour is now life-threatening and surgery must take place in the next couple weeks. Time is not on her side.
The miracle we spoke of earlier comes in the form of Dr. Charles Teo, who really does think he can save Kate’s life. Dr. Teo is a world renowned tumour specialist, who Kate was referred to due to the rarity and complexity of her condition.
The location of the tumour is very rare and most neurosurgeons have never come across this or even removed a tumour of this size and location from the spinal cord. Dr. Charles Teo has agreed to take on Kate’s case and perform the surgery with spinal surgeon specialist Dr. Ralf Mobbs.
Without surgery Kate would become a tetraplegic which would result in the total loss of the use of all limbs and the ability to talk. The surgery has been booked for 18th January 2017.
Specialist physiotherapy will be required to help Kate after her operation as she has been told to expect she will have to learn to walk and talk again. All of this will come at a large cost and it is unknown how long Kate will be off work.
Those who know Kate know her as an outgoing, happy, fun person who is strong and independent.
This operation is not only costly but scary and the news has been very hard on her and her close friends and family.
We are looking for help to raise money to pay for this operation and provide Kate financial support for ongoing medical treatment that will be required after her operation.
We want to show her the love during this difficult time and hope that you will help us support Kate so she can get back on her feet and wind her neck in as quickly as possible.
Please help us to help our lovely friend, and keep Grinner grinning.
Organizer
Abbie Griffiths
Organizer
