Support Michela, Rick and Phoenix as Michela faces brain surgery for Meningioma and a lengthy recovery.

Michela is a very strong woman. Being independent, determined, and incredibly driven she has had made her own way in life. She also shows deep caring and compassion to her friends, loved ones and strangers alike.

Recently Michela and her family have faced unimaginable challenges. Last August her beloved brother Ben was diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain cancer called Glioblastoma. After years living overseas Michela was grateful to be close enough to spend quality time with Ben but his treatment and rapid deterioration was devastating for the family to witness. During this time Michela and her partner Rick learned they were expecting their first baby. Fears for her brother along with a very physically challenging pregnancy meant it wasn't the easiest of times but this June a bundle of sunshine came along, a little man called Phoenix. Tragically, he missed meeting his Uncle Ben by just three weeks.

Since Phoenix's birth Michela’s health has progressively declined. She collapsed at home numerous times and suffered a seizure, putting an end to her driving and making it difficult to leave the house. At the moment Michela needs help with a lot of everyday activities, cannot walk unaided and needs a wheelchair for short walks outside. Her GP, Naturopath and twice her local Emergency Department dismissed her collapses, seizures and the whole host of other symptoms as stress, Postnatal Depression or gave her the impression they thought it was all in her head. When Rick asked about a Head scan in case something was wrong and they said it would be very unlikely as Michela's vital signs were okay.

It would take five months for Michela to get an MRI that would prove this third theory correct. It is in her head. A 5cm tumour called a Meningioma. As far as brain tumours’ go this is one of the better ones and would usually involve a 'procedural' removal but Michela’s is large and located in a precarious position at the rear of her head at the top spinal cord, wrapped around a main artery and also a number of cranial nerves.

The Specialists have proposed two surgeries. The first to relieve pressure on the brain by removing spinal fluid that is leaking into the brain and the second to remove as much of the tumour as possible. The aim is about 80% of the tumour - any more could leave her with brain damage or worse. Her Neurosurgeon has said without surgery she could die within three weeks - bearing in mind that the wait time for a public MRI is four months it is fortunate they paid to have this done privately. Recovery from the surgery will take months, all going well, but possibly much longer.

I’ll let Michela take over here:

Honestly I'm terrified and still trying to come to terms with the death of my brother, it's all very overwhelming. I'm sharing this because in some way it might help me process things, and I also want as much love, good vibes and support coming mine and my family's way because I'm determined to get through this but know it's going to be tough. I love you. – Michela, December 2016

We are all sending you our love and good vibes Michela but through through this page we can do more. If you would like to help please donate what you can. Every little bit helps. If you know others who would like to help please share this with them.

Rick is a contractor at Weta Digital so if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid and while Michela is recovering in hospital and later at home Rick and Michela's mother Jenny are providing 24 hour care and cooking nutritious meals to help her to heal. Phoenix is only five and a half months old so they will be very busy between the hospital, home and caring for the little fella.

It would be great if we could relieve some of their financial burden so that Rick is able to stay off work for as long as needed to care for his little family without any external worries.

Michela is tough but it is going to take all her strength, resources, and the love and support of friends and family to get through this so she can carry on being a beautiful mother to little Phoenix.

Thank you so much.