As most of you know Tara had two brain tumours discovered back in February. One tumour was on her right lobe affecting the left side of her body and causing complex partial seizures in her left arm. The surgeon was confident it was a Grade 1 tumour but it had to be removed. Surgery was scheduled for April 21st but due to the complications with the sterilization equipment at the hospital in Halifax she had to wait until May 12th.
The surgery went well and the Dr. got out more than what he expected. Tara does have some weakness on her left side due to the surgery. We were all relieved it was out and only some weakness rather than paralysis. That quickly changed when the report came back that it was a Grade 3 Astrocyte Glioma malignant tumour...
With a grade 3 tumour there are always microscopic cells that are left behind which means she needs radiation and chemo to kill the cells. However this is the type of tumour that will come back someday, it's just a matter of keeping the active cells away for as long as possible.
She will be starting radiation treatment along with chemotherapy drugs. Radiation will be 5 days a week for 6 weeks with the chemo pill 7 days a week. She will have a break for a month and continue the chemo meds for 5 days a week for 6 months.
Radiation will take place in Halifax which is a 3 hour round trip for Tara. She will stay in Halifax most of the time because the trip will be too hard every day.
So I bet now your wondering about the second tumour... this guy is not as bad as nasty Grade 3 I just told you about. Number two is a benign Acoustic Neuroma also known as a Vestibular Schwannoma and this little guy is behind her left ear. These tumours are usually left alone and treated with radiation to shrink them, the last resort is surgery. These tumours don't usually cause much trouble other than some hearing loss and balance problems. This tumour was a bonus find, it was the other one affecting her. How many people have two brain tumours? The Dr. said less than 4%
Tara is a Glace Bay native but has lived many places due to Duncan's (husband) career in the military. Throughout the years Tara, Duncan and Liam (son) have made many friends at each posting but their roots remain in Cape Breton. They visit often, now that they are living in the valley, to see parents, grandparents and family and friends.
Tara fought the first half of the journey with mostly only family and close friends knowing. I (Allison, sister) stayed with her for almost a month between surgery dates and will be forever grateful that I took that time with her. Now that this battle has become more than what was expected we are telling her story with hope that you can please help support her and her family financially, emotionally and spiritually.
Note: There is also a benefit dance at the Caledonia Club in Glace Bay, July 3rd at 8pm.
