Sonja’s journey to Brain Surgery

Since June 2015, Sonja has experienced symptoms that came on quite suddenly which she continues to experience today. It all started with debilitating dizziness, confusion, memory loss, jaw locking for days or weeks and constant nausea. As time has gone on her the ringing in her ears turned into weakness of her left side, hair loss and seizures resulting in being able to do nothing but sleep all day. Sonja says, ‘some days I feel like I am running in slow mode when everything around me is moving so fast; there have been times when I have been driving or walking and have no idea where I am’.

She has tried medications to lessen the symptoms - which have done nothing but increase them.

After countless doctor and specialist appointments in Adelaide, they put it down to vertigo, silent migraines and self-caused anxiety and depression. An MRI revealed that Sonja is suffering from a rare Pineal Cystic tumour (16mm by 15mm) on the pineal gland, located in the centre of her brain. The cyst found, was said to be an ‘incidental finding’ that had nothing to do with any of my symptoms. They recommended if it were to be removed, her quality of life would be poor, and she was deemed ‘inoperable’.

Sonja’s sister reached out to Dr. Charlie Teo’s office in Sydney. He didn’t prescribe medications, he just listened... listened to the words of a girl that didn’t feel normal anymore. The girl that felt something was in her head (no pun intended).

Dr Teo, is one of only 4 neurosurgeons that will operate on this kind of tumour in the world, it’s one of the riskiest surgery’s to be performed because Timmy T (tumour) is right in the middle of her head.

After a long time of trying natural remedies, attempting to understand what is going on, looking to find alternative solutions and the hope that the cyst would not change, it has continued to grow... therefore the decision to go ahead with this brain surgery.

Sonja will be undergoing surgery in 4 weeks with the man most doctors characterise as a ‘cowboy’ doctor; but to her and MANY others a man who can change her life.

There is just one thing… her surgery is booked for the 19th of December 2018 (Merry Christmas everyone!) and there is no better Christmas gift that she could have…

But this wonderful gift comes at a cost (approx. $100,000).

This surgery is one of the most dangerous of brain surgeries, recovery can take up to a year leaving her unable to work etc; therefore, we want to ease the emotional, physical and financial stress before, during and after surgery for someone we love dearly.

Please take a moment to pitch in any bit that you can and if not just help spread the word! Let’s get Sonja to Sydney so we can say cya to Timmy.

All contributions will lessen the financial burden to get Sonja to Sydney, provide her a place to stay and go towards the costs pre and post-surgery.

On behalf of Sonja and her family, we appreciate all the love, support and donations through this time.

Love and peace. Xoxo