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In August 2010 I was diagnosed with a Pituitary tumour, it was discovered during an MRI to see if they could find the reason I was suffering from, headaches, visual problems, insomnia and periferal neuropathy.  The growth rate was aggressive, and it was threatening the optic nerve (which would lead to permanent blindness) so surgery was set for as soon as possible, and it was removed at the beginning of November that year.  

The surgery was in principle successful , but  at a recent  follow-up MRI scan in September this year, they discovered that it has already regrown.  Doctors are saying it is safe to wait til January for another MRI to decide whether radiotherapy or surgery needs to follow.

After the surgery it took 6 months for me to recover any functional levels of energy, and really I am still recovering (I experience ongoing pain and pressure in my head where nerves were cut to access the tumour and my energy comes and goes).  The recovery time was quite a problem because I am a single mum and primary carer to my 11 year old son, who has a life-shortening degenerative condition called Friedreich's Ataxia.  Looking after my son is a full-time job as his mobility is continuing to degenerate... he is now in a wheel chair, and looking after him involves a great deal of lifting, which is very physically demanding. We just about managed the first time round, but it continues to be very challenging with my current condition.

In a attempt to do whatever I can to avoid a second bout of  brain surgery so soon, I have started an intensive program at the Vision of Hope Clinic, who have a high success rate at treating patients with aggressive tumours and cancers. My hope is that the intensive program I am committing to will give my body the best chance it has to manage the tumour to give me time to heal from the first operation, and maybe even avoid further surgery.

The difficulty is that, because I am a full time carer to my son, I have very little money, and these treatments are expensive. And if I am to pay for the treatments and follow the rest of the program, I basically need to find a way of funding it.  I will also need to pay for respite carers to come in regularly, so that I can put in the actual time needed for all of this (treatments take around 4-5 hours/ day and they take acouple of hours to recover from).

So this is why I have turned to asking for help ... Yes to Life is the official charity that is coodinating donations for me, and with your help, I might be able to receive the treatment I need, so I can return to caring after my son...

Thank you so much for reading this, and if you feel to donate something, please know that any donation is gratefully received.

Ella Kate Reeves

 

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