Brain cancer affects 7.2 people per 100,000 in Australia, with about 1,896 people diagnosed with brain cancer in Australia annually.
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Finley’s Terri Bevan is one of them.
Terri is the daughter of Ken and Maureen Bevan and the sister of Marcia Pyle and Krista Tonkin.
Diagnosed 10 years ago, Terri has agreed to share her story as part of Brain Cancer Awareness Month this May.
She also shares how research and trial treatment has enabled her to be still with us today, in the hopes that others will support a Brain Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser in Finley this weekend.
While working as a dental nurse on the Gold Coast 10 years ago, Terri became aware of persistent back pain and feeling unwell.
However, she did not realize how serious her condition was until she eventually had a seizure.
After a consultation with a locum doctor and an MRI at the Gold Coast Hospital, she was eventually diagnosed with a stage four Glioblastoma Multiforme tumour.
Surgery was carried out, debulking the tumour.
However the medical team was not prepared to carry out further surgery, and after chemotherapy and radiation, they advised Terri’s family to take her home for Christmas as it could be the last they would have together.
On her return to the Gold Coast in the January, following a further MRI, it was found that the tumour was still growing.
Terri was given the choice of seeing a neurosurgeon in Brisbane but wait some time for an appointment, or to go to Sydney to see Professor Charlie Teo who agreed to see her in two days.
Terri decided to come home to spend quality time with her family and give full consideration to what the future held.
After consultation with Prof Teo - who explained in detail what was and what could happen - surgery was carried out on March 23, 2015 at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
In that surgery, 93 per cent of the tumour was removed.
Due to the location of the tumour, it left Terri with hemiplegia (paralysis) to her right side.
As it was impossible for Terri to receive further chemotherapy or radiation because of the impact of original treatment, she was transferred from Sydney to Albury under Associate Professor Christopher Steer, an oncologist at the Albury Cancer Centre.
At this stage, she was having to learn to walk and talk all over again.
According to her mother Maureen, Terri was handling the situation in a “positive mental and physical way”.
It was finally decided Terri would receive an experimental drug, which was being extensively researched at the time.
However, the cost of the Avastin was going to be $3,000 per week and would have been difficult for the family to handle.
This is when a wonderful group of Finley ladies carried out a “beauty day for Terri” fundraiser, raising more than $20,000 and enabling her to take part in the experiment.
Fast forward to today, and Terri’s latest MRI has shown that her condition is stable.
Terri lives by a mantra of “these are the cards I’ve been dealt, I just have to play the game”.
When asked what advice she would give to anyone who thinks they may have a problem, Terri’s response was simple.
“Follow your instincts,” she said.
“If you have headache, back pain or any unexplained condition, please seek medical advice immediately.
“And please support the fundraiser on May 7, as it is only through research that future generations will benefit.”
The fundraiser is being organised by Robert Baker, who has lost two family members to brain cancer.
In the form of a ‘mystery cruise’, people are asked to assemble at the Finley Log Cabin and Museum at 8.30am this Sunday with their vehicle of choice - push bike, motorbike, scooter, modern or vintage cars, and everything in between.
The mystery route of 130km will be revealed on the morning, after which participants will be invited back to the museum for a barbecue lunch, raffles and an auction.
Other community members are invited to join the lunch, even if they cannot participate in the cruise.
The cost is $15 per adult or $5 for children under 16.
Robert has organised the fundraiser in honour of his brother Greg Koschel from Finley and their cousin Shaun Martin from Berrigan.
The men were diagnosed with genetically identical tumours many years apart, with Shaun passing in 1999 and Greg in 2021.
All proceeds from this Sunday’s event will be donated to support brain cancer research and support programs.
Further details can be obtained by contacting Robert on 0418 353 084.
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