"Within days after Easter 2014, Helen became an angel in heaven. Helen stood up against her brain cancer for as long as she could with always a smile on her face and her favourite motto "It doesn't matter."
She always showed inner strength and courage despite all the challenges she faced. Helen was an inspiration to all around her, near and far.
In honor of Helen and all others who have been touched by cancer, Helen's Hope was established for the purpose of giving hope to those who have been directly affected by it. Helen's Hope mission is to find a cure for brain cancer and at the same time provide inspiration and support to those who are suffering. Through this foundation Helen will continue to raise the spirit of others around her.
She always showed inner strength and courage despite all the challenges she faced. Helen was an inspiration to all around her, near and far.
In honor of Helen and all others who have been touched by cancer, Helen's Hope was established for the purpose of giving hope to those who have been directly affected by it. Helen's Hope mission is to find a cure for brain cancer and at the same time provide inspiration and support to those who are suffering. Through this foundation Helen will continue to raise the spirit of others around her.
Helen was 48 years young when she passed away on April 27, 2014 leaving behind her loving husband and 2 adoring children.In 2003 Helen began having mini seizures and she could not understand why. After having consulted with her doctors and surgeon who conducted several MRI's, a tumor was discovered in the left side of her brain.After her first awake surgery to remove the majority of the tumor, tests showed that it was benign. This was a relief for to her and her entire family. For the following years Helen lived a full life with her husband as they raised their two young children who were 4 and 5 at the time. They traveled and enjoyed all that life offered. After 4 years of living life to the fullest, It was suggested that Helen undergo a Radiation treatment to further stop the growth of the tumour. After a series of treatments, she continued on her daily activities, but that was to be short lived.
In 2012 after doing scheduled yearly MRI, it showed that the tumour had grown once again and a surgery was necessary to stop it from further growth. Within weeks she had her 2nd awake surgery which was approximately in the same area of the 1st surgery, but this time her treatment became more aggressive as she was now diagnosed with gliblastoma grade 4 Cancer. The doctors informed Manuel, her husband, that she may have 2 to 5 years at the most and will require Chemotherapy treatment to try and remove any remaining cancer. After 10 months of chemotherapy the cancer had stopped growing and therefore stopped the chemotherapy treatment. A routine MRI was scheduled in Aug of 2013 and discovered the cancer was growing again. The oncologist and surgeon had no choice but to operate for the 3rd time in Sep 2013.
In October 2013 Helen was rushed to the Royal North Shore Hospital as the final chemotherapy treatment did not work with her and surgery was not going to stop the cancer from growing. Her speech had drastically deteriorated and movements on the right side of her body was extremely slow. After few days in the hospital her condition began to spiral downwards where she began to lose her speech, right hand and right leg movements. The doctors indicated that the cancer cells were spreading fast and she would not have much time to live. To the persistent of the her husband and the family for the doctors to suggest or try an alternative medication, they offered a drug called Avastin which was known to have good reaction with brain cancer. It's objective is to prolong life as it's not a cure.
The next day Helen was administered with this drug which we, the family labeled as a miracle drug. Within 14 hours Helen's condition began to slowly reverse, feeling more awake and eating .Within a day she began to speak, move her limbs and walk on her own. Within 2 weeks, she walked out of the hospital interdependently and continued to live an active life for another 6 months.
The 6 months was a gift to us all and to Helen. She was able to celebrate Christmas and New Year with her family, attending her children's soccer games and other family activities. She LIVED! She lived a normal life doing everything she could and believed she would live to the age of 90.
Unfortunately in April 2014 the effects of Avastin was not able to fully contain the growing cancer cells. Helen began to experience the same symptoms that she had 6 months earlier. This time she had exhausted all treatments available for her.Helen continued to smile, she smiled and she smiled with out a single complaint.
In 2012 after doing scheduled yearly MRI, it showed that the tumour had grown once again and a surgery was necessary to stop it from further growth. Within weeks she had her 2nd awake surgery which was approximately in the same area of the 1st surgery, but this time her treatment became more aggressive as she was now diagnosed with gliblastoma grade 4 Cancer. The doctors informed Manuel, her husband, that she may have 2 to 5 years at the most and will require Chemotherapy treatment to try and remove any remaining cancer. After 10 months of chemotherapy the cancer had stopped growing and therefore stopped the chemotherapy treatment. A routine MRI was scheduled in Aug of 2013 and discovered the cancer was growing again. The oncologist and surgeon had no choice but to operate for the 3rd time in Sep 2013.
In October 2013 Helen was rushed to the Royal North Shore Hospital as the final chemotherapy treatment did not work with her and surgery was not going to stop the cancer from growing. Her speech had drastically deteriorated and movements on the right side of her body was extremely slow. After few days in the hospital her condition began to spiral downwards where she began to lose her speech, right hand and right leg movements. The doctors indicated that the cancer cells were spreading fast and she would not have much time to live. To the persistent of the her husband and the family for the doctors to suggest or try an alternative medication, they offered a drug called Avastin which was known to have good reaction with brain cancer. It's objective is to prolong life as it's not a cure.
The next day Helen was administered with this drug which we, the family labeled as a miracle drug. Within 14 hours Helen's condition began to slowly reverse, feeling more awake and eating .Within a day she began to speak, move her limbs and walk on her own. Within 2 weeks, she walked out of the hospital interdependently and continued to live an active life for another 6 months.
The 6 months was a gift to us all and to Helen. She was able to celebrate Christmas and New Year with her family, attending her children's soccer games and other family activities. She LIVED! She lived a normal life doing everything she could and believed she would live to the age of 90.
Unfortunately in April 2014 the effects of Avastin was not able to fully contain the growing cancer cells. Helen began to experience the same symptoms that she had 6 months earlier. This time she had exhausted all treatments available for her.Helen continued to smile, she smiled and she smiled with out a single complaint.