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

  • Hello friends, family and friends I have never met.

      3 August 2017

    Its been 7 months since my surgeries and I wanted to write to you all to let you know how your kindness has touched my life. I am still healing, emotionally and physically but I feel better than I have in a long time.

    My recent MRI in May showed about 30% of the tumour remaining which is really positive. My current focus is to continue to heal from surgery and shrink the remaining tumour. My surgeon is confident it will continue to grow. I am confident I can stop it.

    Your generosity gave us space, it allowed us to breath more during a time of intense pressure. It allowed Rick, my husband, to stay home and look after me during a time when I needed him most, without the worry of not being able to pay our rent and bills. It allowed us to focus on me. For that I will be eternally grateful. Through this experience I have felt what it means to be loved unconditionally, not just because of who I am, but because I AM. and because life is worth valuing. Thank you for valuing mine.

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  • Post-op Progress

      20 December 2016

    Michela and Rick would like to thank everyone for all the amazing love, support and generosity they have received over the past few weeks. Even though Michela has been out of contact for a while it's been really good for her rehabilitation and spirit to hear all the messages coming through via her partner Rick.

    Michela had major brain surgery December 14th. The fifteen hour operation was very long and challenging for the Neurosurgeons due to the location and texture of the tumour. It has been estimated that they were able to remove 60-70% of of the tumour - any more would have been too risky. Michela was relieved to wake up, then so grateful to realise she could still hear, swallow and move her face as there was a possibility she would not be able to after the operation.

    The days that followed were a long, painful blur but Michela is making tremendous progress now. Yesterday she was able to get up and walk a short distance with a frame. Because Michela has not been able to walk on her own for months it's both exciting and scary but she is taking baby steps one day at a time. It will be a little while before we are aware of any permanent changes to her body but things are looking good so far. Michela definitely needed to be in hospital but now she can't wait to leave. There's a good chance she will be able to go home on December 21st to continue her recovery surrounded by family. The surgeon says Michela will need another 4-6 weeks rest with no lifting, straining or driving for 3 months so she will still be pretty dependent on others for a while. She said the day she can pick up little Phoenix again will be the best! But right now her focus is on getting stronger, healing and trying to stop the remaining tumour from growing and stealing her life again. Thanks again for all the love.

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