GoFundMeA 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with an eye infection has been given a month to live after an MRI scan revealed she had a brain tumour after complaining from a sore eye.
Rhiana, from Perth, Australia, was misdiagnosed with conjunctivitis in May but her symptoms ‘quickly deteriorated’ and she began to suffer from headaches, double vision and facial numbness.
After nine visits to ‘various medical institutions’, an MRI scan in August revealed she had a tumour growing on the nerve between her eye and brain.
7 NewsAnd just weeks later, doctors confirmed she had a terminal brain tumour, writes 7News.
Rhiana said the feeling in her face was as if somebody was tasering her from her nose to her eye, adding:
I asked [the doctor] ‘so am I going to die from this?’ and she said ‘yes’.
After initially ‘having a good cry’, Rhiana said she has made the vow to fight on and battle the disease with the support of her family and friends.
Her dad, Thomas, said:
She’s tough, there’s no such thing as you can’t.
There is a ‘glimmer of hope’ in the form of a qualified and reputable neurosurgeon in Sydney who has the skill set, ability and confidence to operate on Rhiana’s tumour. He is brain surgeon Dr. Charlie Teo.
7NewsHowever, with costs of treatment topping $100,000, Rhiana and her family can’t afford it so one of her friends has started a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise the much-needed funds.
The page admin, Dean Simcock wrote:
Unfortunately, this diagnosis has come late. Diagnosis has taken two years. Rhiana was originally prescribed steroids to battle what they first thought she had.
It appears the steroids have assisted in the growth of the tumour. The doctors in Perth have told her they will be unable to operate due to the rarity of the tumour and the risk factors involved.
She suffers with extreme pain, blurred vision, numbness in her face and is often too unwell to get out of her bed. Throughout the repeated tests and incorrect diagnosis/treatment over the past two years, this tragic news (which would bring most to their knees) has not dulled her ever present sparkle.
Rhiana is full of positivity and strength at the start of what truly is the fight of her life. She refuses to give up on life and is instead doing everything within her power to change her fate.
Rhiana said she wanted to warn others about the potential risks associated with innocuous symptoms, while she continues battling on.
She said:
I know the story doesn’t end that way. Not for me.
We hope she can beat this.
