Islas fight against her grade 1 glioma

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We’re so excited to share our event on Saturday the 27th March at Te Mata school. We’ve teamed up with some amazing Zumba instructors to bring you 2 hours of dancing and some pretty cool prizes too from our amazing sponsors, Forme Hairdressing, Lakefront Lodge Taupo, New World Hastings, Amaze n Graze, Zeffer and Viniquip intl to name a few.

Donate at the door and you’re automatically in the draw! Details in the link below

https://fb.me/e/11rfGHjhl

Olivia is a single mum to a beautiful 7 year old Isla. She was an active and happy 7 year old. She enjoyed dancing, swimming and gymnastics. In August 2020, Isla started having seizures which were happening twice a week. By October 2020, Isla was having a seizure every hour and they had changed dramatically in their behaviour.

Her mum ended up taking her into the emergency department where she was admitted for 5 days and started anticonvulsant medication. She pushed for an MRI and EEG. Every parents worst nightmare when the results came back showing a tumour on her frontal lobe (which Isla has named Darryl) and an cyst on her temporal lobe. Islas mum is currently anxiously awaiting the call to go to Auckland starship hospital to undergo more extensive EEGs and neuro testing and most importantly have the tumour removed.

The neurologists are thinking it is a slow growing cancer but won’t know until it has been taken out and tested and will be followed by chemotherapy.

Islas extensive medication and tumour have effected her daily life, she has gone from a bubbly, gentle happy child to a depressed, rage full and sometimes a suicidal child, nothing a 7 year old should have to suffer with and feel. Because of the tumour Isla has also begun to have sensory aversions to almost every piece of clothing she owns, as well as food, bedding and every day noises. These little every day things can set her off and is traumatic for both Isla and her mum.

Following Islas brain surgery she is required to take over 4weeks off school and then be slowly reintroduced to school life.

Olivia and Isla both will need to meet regularly with a psychologist and regular rehabilitation, Isla will most likely need to learn how to live without her tumour.

Olivia’s mum, her number one support person will also be doing the frequent travel to and from starship to be there as much as she can, taking time off from her job to be Olivia’s strength when she has none. It is vital that Isla have this surgery and necessary help.

“It takes a village to raise a child

It takes a village to support that child’s parent.”

- Ann Douglas