HelpMelissaFightNeuroEndocrineCancer

Melissa Lockyer Sutherland is a Mother, Pianist and aspiring singer. She was diagnosed in 2002 with a Paraganglioma, then a recurrence in 2005. These are tumours of a rare form of Cancer known also as Neuroendocrine Tumours or NETs /Cancer which are difficult to diagnose. For further info go to:

https://www.unicornfoundation.org.au/page/8/what-are-nets

Melissa has had two surgical operations (excision of tumours); in 2002 and then 2014 that have resulted in nerve damage, First Bite Syndrome, as well as Horners and Harlequin Syndrome. Melissa who lives in rural Northland, experiences ongoing daily (at times debilitating) pain, issues with energy, numerous other symptoms and hypertension, possibly caused by long-term ongoing or recurring NETs. The concern and  danger with these tumours being so rare, is that they are often misunderstood, undetected with some scans, go unrecognized, and are one of the most misdiagnosed conditions.

Melissa lives with a mothers fear of death, and how this disease could possibly also genetically affect her daughters Ivy, Ruby and Brooke. Ruby who is 18 fears leaving the region because of her mothers health.