Dianne’s Story

Friends of mine worked in an oncology department, and they suggested a group called Mummy’s Wish. I was told they helped mums with cancer and with children. Halle was 17 months old and Cooper 5 years.

I said there are lots of other people who need their help more than me. I felt I had a great network of support and financially ok to deal with what lay ahead. I was wrong. I wasn’t working and we had some money saved to renovate the bathroom, so it got used up for the medical bills.

I was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain tumour so I was left initially with a deficit that required the bathrooms still to be done due to my condition. The scan came back after the initial treatment and the tumour appeared clear at that stage. That’s when the network seemed to disappear as Brain Cancer patients don’t quite fit the image of other Cancer – you look alright! Financially we struggled and we had to borrow money to just live day to day.

When my daughter was born we had some lovely photos and planned that when she was a bit older to have family photographs taken. I was scared of what lie ahead, reading the life expectancy of what I had and wanting family photos taken before I started the high dose chemo.  I had a “comb over” and my hair looked nearly normal after finishing the radiotherapy, but I wasn’t sure how it would end up. I was swollen in the face from the dexamethasone but I desperately wanted the photos but couldn’t afford them. I wanted a memento for my children.

Whilst playing the waiting game in the specialist room I saw the brochure again and read that Mummy’s Wish could help with family photographs. I checked the website. I spoke with my husband and I made the call.

Kylie rang me to have a chat and discuss briefly about what I was needing, and an appointment was made to meet over a cuppa to have a chat and talk about what Mummys Wish do and how they could assist me. Kylie arrived and we chatted for ages and we discussed many things. The foundations of Mummy’s Wish, their purpose and that they were very happy to make my wish come true. She listened to me, sat with me and it was like she was holding out the hand of support that had started to slip away. But is wasn’t only me that Kylie brought comfort to. My children received the recordable bears each, which I recorded personal messages and now 14 months on, they love even more. A tote bag with goodies was also given to brighten my day and I knew they were trying to help me. Kylie was giving me more than just photos, she was giving me light in time of darkness.

I had my beautiful photos taken by a photographer who generously gave her services freely and Mummys Wish paid for a collection that proudly sit on my wall. The day of the photos was a disaster. Meeting at 5pm with children at the beach, wearing white and a windy day, don’t tie in with young children getting grizzly, damp sand and the “comb over” flapping and yet a few great photos resulted. She had to work hard for those pictures I am sure.

One of the things I admire most was the staff at Mummy’s Wish don’t forget you and the range of services and avenues in the way they assist or shed some happiness in difficult time. One day unexpectantly I received a call from Kylie to offer me 4 tickets to a show. I took my mother, niece who was 9 and my sister in law and it was the first time it had been just us out for a night. I will never forget how much my Neice enjoyed the the show, we all did. I felt that whilst some friends may not call, i was remembered.

Other than my family and friends the things that I am passionate about is raising awareness and funds for Brain Cancer and Mummy’s Wish. It has been 16 months now since first diagnosed, and I have past the average survival of 12 – 14 months. I joke and say I was always above average at school, but these ladies at Mummy’s Wish are the A grade students. Dianne, 2014