FIX HER FACE...HELP HER LOOK LIKE ELLE MCPHERSON

Okay, well if you read the title it's a bit of a funny.

But that just shows you my Mumma's humour. Let me explain.

My mother Desiree Fraser is vivacious, resilient, positive powerhouse of a human. She is always the one you can hear in the room. Usually laughing outrageously or talking up a storm.

She is a mother. A friend. And a cancer warrior.

Diagnosed with a rare & incurable cancer a few years ago, she has worked tirelessly to make it her mission with whatever time she has here to support and make the world a better place for those around her.

She is the founder of a charity WITHOUT A RIBBON INC (W.A.R) a network and a place to support those diagnosed with rare cancers.

She is active in her community and has campaigned relentlessly to raise awareness and funds for people around her.

Well.

She is about to undergo her 63rd medical procedure/operation since her cancer diagnosis. And guys. This one is a big one.

Her upper jaw has been slowly falling apart due to osteonecrosis (bone dying) caused by the radiation she had to treat the cancer.

So far she had been told there was no option of reconstruction due to the complexity of her situation and essentially having already had half her palate removed and the weakness of the remaining damaged bone, that once it gave out, that was kinda it. Live permanently and painfully disfigured.

However, recently she found a Doctor doing pioneering surgery. Something that no one else even been willing to attempt. Thus far he has completed 6 reconstructions so far, all of which have been successful. And although Mums is the worst one he has seen he is happy to give it a go.

As long as he can make her look like Elle McPherson she reckons! Even Elle without make-up she says will be just fine.

The reconstruction is 3 surgeries over the course of the next 4-6 months. If all goes to plan and there's no rejection or complications then the Doctor plans on using her leg bone, tissue and muscle to recreate a palate and jaw. Once this is done he will then attach some dentures so she has teeth to restore that ever present smile on her face.

So just as an idea the first operation is 13hrs if all goes to plan. It's a 10 - 12 weeks recovery and it will start by removal of her remaining palate and jaw which is currently dying, rotten and decaying.

Then.

Cross your fingers and hope for the best so she can buckle up for the 2nd operation & finally a third to get everything done.

Now she has been on the public waiting list for 18 months so far to no avail.

In that time we have had a couple of hospitalisations with massive infection that they struggle to get under control due to her resistance with antibiotics. We have had days of complete annihilation as she lives with both chronic and acute pain from the fact her upper jaw is dying. We have had bone fragments breaking through her gums as they rot away and work their way to the surface. Just to name a few.

She doesnt complain. She doesn't say why me. Or poor me. Or anything really. She just keeps soldiering on.

Still shows up. Still supports others. Still helps whoever she can whenever she can. Still campaigns for her charity and its members. Still gets on with it all!

And now, I would love to be able to open the door for others to give her a little back.

Now when I suggested it she said something along the lines of, "Oh no, I couldn't do that. I'll figure it out. Don't worry about it Bee. I've got the credit cards & a little savings. I'll make it work."

To which I thought FUCK THAT.

And here we are.

I know there are a lot of people who follow her journey and her story and would love to contribute because she won't bloody let you do it even if you try in other ways. I know she deserves the help that. And would never ask herself.

So here's your opportunity guys.

I'll keep everyone updated along the way.

Surgery is 3.4.23