Mind over Grey Matter - 5km/10km Run for Brain Cancer Support NZ

My story started in 2017 whilst living in Melbourne-Australia, on a Sunday morning when I unexpectedly and without any symptoms had a Grand-Mal seizure whilst lying in bed which fractured two areas in my lower spine.

When taken to hospital I had a X-Ray/MRI which discovered the cause for the seizure was a small mass on the left frontal lobe of my brain which had built pressure.

After an initial biopsy, it was discovered that it was a Grade 2 Glioma (Brain Tumour).

I underwent two further operations of which required myself to be awake if possible (Craniotomy) due to the tumour being in the left frontal lobe where my speech and motor function are located. As the tumour and brain tissue are difficult to differentiate from and appear the same for the neurosurgeons I then risked being left paralysed on the right side of my body & without speech if I undertook the operation and was not awake.

The neurosurgeons managed to removed 95% of the tumour but were not able to go any further without damaging sensitive parts of my brain which would leave me permanently impaired.

I have since spent 6 months in a spinal brace,

12-20 months of Rehab (Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physio, Councilling etc) to learn how to communicate and pick up a pen.

My last operation was in September 2019 at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, and I have since moved home to Christchurch, New Zealand, on the 18th of December with my partner, Lauren. I am now medically cleared & have received a clear MRI as of November 2020 so I am now hoping to fundraise for Brain Cancer Support NZ by creating a 5km/10km Walk & Run fundraiser in the month of May (Brain Cancer Awareness Month).

Please join me in walking/running/donating to this cause which has helped 100 people and their Whānau since June 2020 who have been diagnosed.

Brain Cancer Support NZ provide those diagnosed with a Free Brain Box which has information as to what the diagnosis means, what treatments are available/what they do etc plus so much more. I know that this would have meant the world to receive as I was left in the dark without many answers as to what was next.