Support Kelly & Family as they fight Glioblastoma

In November of last year, our lives were turned upside down when we discovered the tragic news that our amazing mum had developed terminal, grade 4 Glioblastoma, the worst possible type of brain cancer. 

 

 

 

Kelly was only 43 years old when we received this diagnosis. She is a loving Mum to myself, my two younger sisters of 23 and 14, and my younger brother, who is only 6 years old.

 

 

 

Kelly is caring, compassionate, loving and friendly, and this tragic news has sent shockwaves through our family. This horrible disease couldn't have happened to a more amazing person.

 

 

My mum has been an employee of the NHS for many years, most recently working as a vascular technician. However, because of the diagnosis, she has been left unable to perform her role, resulting in a lack of income for the family.

 

Since we received the diagnosis, there has been bad news after bad news. On December 7th, she underwent invasive and extensive surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. The surgery was successful but didn't come without severe complications. Mum suffered various spinal infections, which required painful lumbar punctures, causing her to be in excruciating pain and bed-bound for weeks. As a result, she missed out on Christmas, New years and birthday celebrations with her family.

 

 

 

 

Since the diagnosis, my dad has needed to take an extensive period of time away from work and became my mum's primary support. Unfortunately, this has meant he has exhausted all of his sick leave, forcing him back to work prematurely and leaving my mum's side.

 

 

 

 

In January she began her intense therapies of chemo and radio. This period was so challenging as a family, watching her suffer the side effects of such intensive treatments, especially for my younger siblings.

 

A few weeks ago, she developed bacterial meningitis, which landed her back between Clatterbridge and The Royal Hospital. She had several different antibiotics to try to rid her body of infection over the weeks she was in. However, she still runs the risk of developing this again, and therefore consultants have halted her beginning her next round of Chemo. So her break of initially four weeks from Chemo in March has now turned into twelve weeks.

 

Through all this, Mum would never complain; she would always say she was fine and would show more concern for her loved ones around her, checking everyone else was coping ok. She continues to show her selflessness and always puts others before her own needs.

 

 

The treatment plan put in place is the standard treatment offered by the NHS to Glioblastoma patients - which hasn't changed for 20 years! Other treatments for this disease have had positive results in prolonging life, but they are not currently offered on the NHS. Therefore, we are extending our searches to find a more suitable treatment plan privately.

 

I am setting out to help support my mum and family and secure funds for potential private treatments ahead.

 

I'm so incredibly proud of both my Mum and Dad, how they're handling the situation and how my family show such resilience at this horrific time.

 

Any donation, big or small, to support my family are truly appreciated.

 

Lots of Love

Georgia

XXX