Em's Brain Cancer Support Fund
Update
05 Jun 2025
Hi everyone,
It’s been a few months since my last update and there’s been a fair bit happening.
I’ve been ticking treatment off a month at a time, coming up to round 5 (of 12) shortly. There are still a few curve balls with side effects, but we’re starting to find our feet with it all. Whilst this continues to be shitty in many ways, I actually have a couple of really good things to share.
1 - I was well enough for Zara and I to finally go on our honeymoon to Vietnam in April. The trip was incredible and the break from reality was exactly what we both needed.
2 - My hair has grown back! Drs said it could take up to 12 months post radiation, but I’ve got a (short) but full noggin of hair.
3 - My eye sight has drastically improved, after losing vision on my left side following surgery.
4 - Saving the best for last… I had a routine MRI last week and the results show that the mass has reduced by more than 50% post-surgery. This is honestly the best news, as I was originally just hoping for it to not get any bigger. The fact that it’s now less than half the size is bloody unbelievable.
As scary and unknown as this whole situation is, it feels fucking great to finally be able to share some good news. We are coming at this from every possible angle and we must be doing something right. There’s still a long way to go but I’m feeling strong.
Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts, I feel your love and support and it honestly makes me feel invincible. Onwards and upwards xx
Update
31 Jan 2025
Hi pals,
I wanted to share some images of the scans I had before and after brain surgery a few weeks ago. They really show how insanely large the cyst was and what was left after the operation.
There is still a fair bit of swelling from radiation and surgery, but the image on the left is with the cyst (it actually got a bit bigger before it came out), with the white sections around the perimeter of the cyst highlighted in yellow being the tumor.
The image on the right shows the void where the cyst was. The highlighted section shows what was left of the tumor, which couldn’t be safely removed. The white section which isn’t highlighted is likely a combination of swelling, blood and potentially some more tumor, but it’s still too early to tell for sure. Either way, there’s no cyst, and a hell of a lot less tumor than before. Fun fact - the black section at the top of the right image is an air pocket (this is normal after brain surgery) and I could hear it moving around my head for about a week before it dissipated.
Last week I started the second round of chemo to blast what’s left of Brian. This round will last 12 months, with each cycle being 5 days on, 23 days rest, rinse and repeat. The dose will increase for the first 3 months and as long as I can tolerate it, I’ll stay on the highest dose for 9 months. 1 cycle down 11 to go…
Following surgery, I’ve had a reduction in headaches, my eyesight has improved and my energy levels are starting to increase. Recovery from surgery has been a mixed bag of emotions, but the scar is looking good and my hair has even started to grow back in fuzzy patches. I still have a long way to go, but I know in my bones that I’m going to win.
As always, thank you for your ongoing love and support, it’s one of the main things keeping us going.
Love, Em x
P.S - I want to say a huge thank you to my beloved dance studio Bottoms Up, for putting on a fundraiser class last weekend, as well as to everyone who has contributed to or shared the fundraiser so far. Please keep sharing it with your networks if you’re able, it has already been an incredible support.
Update
04 Nov 2024
Hi everyone, *thank you* from deep in my bones for your ongoing support. The messages, calls, extremely generous donations and every thoughtful gesture have had a profound impact on my ability to rally and keep myself strong and focused. Thank you for believing in me and my worth, I feel the army around me.
I have just started week 4 of 6 of treatment and I am definitely starting to slow down mentally and physically. Managing all the appointments is like a full time job and I'm practically rattling with all the meds and supplements, but I'm getting through it one step at a time.
Some days are definitely harder than others and this week saw most of my hair fall out. Z and I made the call to shave it last night (George Castanza is NOT my aesthetic) and it was emotional, but I feel better for taking control of it.
The fundraiser has already helped to facilitate second opinions from specialist Neurosurgeons, numerous medications and treatments which are helping to manage symptoms and side effects.
I am in excellent hands with my hospital team and I'm taking a holistic approach to my health and wellbeing - I'm throwing absolutely everything at this.
We won't know how the treatment has gone until at least a month after it's finished, so until then I'm staying focused on coming out the other side and imagining Brian getting smaller by the day.
In a stressful and frustrating turn of events, my superannuation fund (*cough* Vision) is supposed to come with default income protection insurance, but I recently found out this isn't the case. The matter is under investigation but with the uncertainty of the future, every dollar and share of this fundraiser really does make a difference to my security. I would be so grateful if you could please continue sharing the link with your networks.
Thank you for being here with me through this. If you'd like to follow my journey, I've been posting more regularly on Instagram @brain.dancer
Em x
Update
15 Oct 2024
Hi everyone,
Z and I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received over the past few weeks. It's been an extremely challenging time as we navigate this confronting and uncertain new 'normal'. We are so grateful to have so many people in our corner. Saying 'thank you' just doesn't feel adequate. Your messages of support have been an incredible source of strength and are keeping me focused and positive.
Thank you SO much for your generous donations and for sharing the link, it's almost impossible for me to look at this page without crying.
I started round one (6 weeks) of chemo and radiation treatment this week. If you'd like to follow along with my journey, you're welcome to follow @brain.dancer on Instagram, I'll be doing my best to post updates as I go. Let's blast this motherfucker into oblivion.
Thank you again with my whole heart, we couldn't do this without you.
Love, Em xx
DONATIONS346
Anonymous
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
$ 40
$ 40
Anonymous
Sun, 1 Jun 2025
$ 50
$ 50
S&M
Wed, 19 Feb 2025
$ 150
Sending lots of strength Em. We are thinking of you x
Sending lots of strength Em. We are thinking of you x
$ 150