A young woman from Perth was diagnosed with conjunctivitis; only to discover she has a brain tumour .
Rhiana, 29, went to the doctors and was mistakenly diagnosed with the eye infection in May but she was sent for more tests when her symptoms became more extreme and she began experiencing double vision and facial numbness.
An MRI scan in August revealed a tumour growing on the nerve between her eye and brain.
A month later, doctors delivered their devastating prognosis: Rhiana has an inoperable and terminal brain tumour.
Source: GoFundMe
However, the brave young woman refuses to give up hope.
“She’s tough. There’s no such thing as you can’t,” her dad Thomas told 7 News.
Her family and friends are currently fundraising for Rhiana to have surgery with renowned neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo who may be able to remove the tumour.
Rhiana’s friend Dean Simcock created a GoFundMe page on her behalf, revealing “The cancer is malignant, and she is terminal.”
“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,” he explains.
“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, this tragic news 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.”
Mr Simcock says there “is a glimmer of hope” in the form of Dr Teo.
They are currently trying to raise $100,000 to pay for Rhiana’s surgery. At time of publishing, they have raised nearly $40,000. Rhiana’s GoFundMe page can found here.
