I read Selina Harris’ column in The Catholic Leader on July 8 with a degree of empathy when she described her husband, Sean’s battle with his brain tumour.
I lost my wife, Marg, to a brain tumour 6 years ago and understand the battle they are having.
While a meningioma can be either malignant or benign and not necessarily disastrous, the location she described makes it potentially pretty “ugly”.
Still, if I had to choose a surgeon, Charlie Teo would get my vote – not just because he is pretty good but because I think he genuinely cares about the whole person and not just the brain itself.
After two operations in Brisbane and one in Melbourne, we also went to Charlie back in 2001 and he operated when others weren’t prepared to take the risk.
I admire his “give it a go” attitude and we were very happy with him. Yes, he was a “beacon of light” in a pretty dull journey.
I am part of a small group of people who meet each month as a brain tumour support group. We don’t have all the answers but we do make good coffee.
Unfortunately the nature of our group is such that we lose many friends and not everyone is comfortable with that aspect.
However, it is good to be able to share our worries and to realise that we are not alone.
We hold our meetings at the PCYC, 90 Klumpp Road, Mount Gravatt, on the first Wednesday of every month at 10am (with the next meeting on August 1).
It is very informal and we really just sit and talk about anything and everything; obviously tumours and treatment and how people are going gets the majority of the airing.
But we have been known to debate the sports results and world affairs, but so far have avoided politics and religion!
Truly it is just an opportunity for people to talk (or not to talk if they prefer to listen) about how they are going and perhaps gain something from other people’s experiences.
If Sean (or anyone else) is able to come then that would be great. My contact number is (07) 3372 4164.
Terrance MacDonald, another of the group’s members can be contacted on (07) 3348 4614.
BILL JEFFS
Durack, Qld
