Strathcedar's Karen Newell has the most personal of reasons for raising money for brain cancer research.
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She is having her hair cut off in Wingham on Saturday, December 19, to mark the six year anniversary of the MRI that showed a tumour in her brain, which was subsequently diagnosed as an anaplastic astrocytoma - grade three brain cancer.
In 2014, at 40 years old and a mother of three young children, Karen was suffering frequent phantom smells of burning plastic.
"I looked on Dr Google, as you do, because I didn't want to go to the doctors with them thinking I was going crazy," Karen said.
"I had to go back three times to doctors to finally get tested for it."
After the third visit Karen was sent into Taree for an MRI. The next day, her doctor booked her in to see a neurosurgeon in Newcastle.
Karen's surgery, what is termed a 'debulking' - removing as much of a tumour as possible when it can't be completely removed - took place at John Hunter Hospital on February 4. Her youngest son's second birthday was two days before the operation.
The risks in brain surgery are high - death, stroke, and permanent brain damage are all possibilities.
"Losing my memory was probably the worst fear," Karen said. "I thought what if I wake up and I don't remember I've got kids or a husband? It's pretty scary.
"The surgeon was brilliant - he didn't go further than what he was comfortable with."
The surgeon was only able to remove 30 per cent of the tumour because of its location and formation.
Surgery was followed by months of radiation treatments at Port Macquarie, a trip she took each day with the assistance of community organisations because she couldn't drive. Her husband was working away, and she had three young children and the farm to look after her. Karen's mother moved in and helped her cope.
"It knocked me out for at least 12 months. I wasn't able to do much at all."
Radiotherapy shrunk the tumour by seven millimetres, and it has remained stable to this day. The tumour's progress is being monitored with regular scans. Karen believes that reducing sugar and processed foods in her diet and remaining positive are helping her survival.
Now Karen wants to 'give back', and help raise funds for the Charlie Teo Foundation, started by maverick neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo AM to raise funds for brain cancer research.
Karen's hair is currently down to her bottom. After having it cut she is donating her locks to an organisation who makes wigs for cancer patients.
Her goal is $4000 and to date she has raised $2929. To help Karen reach her goal you can make a donation at charlie-teo-foundation.grassrootz.com/tackling-brain-cancer-head-on/chop-for-brain-cancer.
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