Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor

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Jaimee has an Intramedullary spinal cord tumor below her brain, the tumour type is unknown and is very dangerous.

Southland

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Intramedullary spinal cord tumours are rare. Doctors will not know which tumour Jaimee has until she goes for surgery, meaning recovery time is unknown and sadly her state of recovery is also unknown. "The exact type of tumour and grade is unknown and the doctors are unsure if I will wake up being able to breathe for my self or not, or if i will be able to feel from the neck, chest or waist down".

The tumour is either an ependymona or an astrocytomoma. Due to the location of the tumour Jaimee needs it removed as soon as possible to have a chance of survival.

She will be undergoing high risk surgery on the 3rd of June where she will then be put into an induced coma in intensive care.

Jaimee's main concern is her beautiful daughter Adorabella that she is very close with. "Being apart from her will drive my fight to beat this".

Jaimee will be in Dunedin for surgery and recovery plus rehabilitation for a minimum of 3-4 months. This is a best case scenario.

Adorabella will be staying with Jaimee's parents in Invercargill while she is in hospital for the major surgery and rehabilitation phase. This will mean frequent travelling from Invercargill to Dunedin to spend valuable time together.

This will of course incur a lot of costs for travel and accommodation. There are also other costs such as after school care and care during the school holidays.

As the operation gets closer, Jaimee is preparing and organising everything as much as one can. She needs to arrange things for her daughter so she can live as normally as a child can during this time. She is also ensuring they can communicate while they are apart and so she can come and visit as often as possible.

Here is a breakdown of some of the costs involved currently:

Petrol Costs: For 15 trips between Invercargill and Dunedin = $1,500

Airfare Costs: For immediate family to fly to Dunedin for surgery and for visits during rehabilitation = $2,000

Hotel Costs: For family members to stay in Dunedin while Jaimee has surgery and then after for her rehabilitation = $4,000

Food and living costs for Adorabella (Jaimee's daughter) = $2,000

Specialised clothing and equipment that may be required after surgery = $3,000

Any help and support for Jaimee is greatly appreciated in this time. Jaimee and her family thank all of those who have reached out.

This site will be updated as Jaimee progresses to keep everyone informed of her condition.

Jaimee Fincher's involvement (page creator)

This is happening to me. I want to be strong and positive and I am praying and hoping that there will be a miracle. However, I also need to think ahead and consider all the possible outcomes. I need to prepare for the worst and everything in between and pray for the best.

I also have a page on Facebook to support other people going through the same thing. I will post videos of recovery and of information there.

Because the tumor is so rare, when I was looking for a support group I couldn't find one, so I decided it was a good way to help others to set one up myself.

The page is: Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Support.

Latest update

Jaimee's progress 6 June 2015

Jaimee is awake and alert, however very tired and understandably in a lot of pain. She spent the first two days in ICU and is now in the Neurological Ward.

When Jaimee first came out of surgery she was happy that she had no breathing tube, she could breath on her own. Doctors were concerned that the amount of spinal cord left after surgery could lead to breathing difficulties but her breathing has been good. The tumour removed has not yet been graded but is most likely to be an ependymoma.

Doctors are confident that they have removed the entire tumour from within her spinal cord. From waking with no movement on her left side, whatsoever, she now has some movement on her left side and movement in her feet and right arm. She still has no sensation or feeling but it is still very early days.

Jaimee has been very positive and from the moment she woke and found she couldn't move her left side, she has been imagining herself moving her fingers, arms and toes. Slowly movement has started, first in her fingers and arm.

Doctors are confident that she will walk again however Jaimee will need to go into rehabilitation over the coming weeks and months.

Jaimee and her family are extremely grateful to Professor De Ridder and his team who have done an extraordinary job. Without their expertise things would have been grim.

The support from family, friends and the community has been amazing. thank you all.

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