By Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 12:08, Thursday, 21 March 2013

AMY Smith was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged only 13. Thought to be inoperable at the time, it was feared she only had months to live.

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Now – 15 years and 45 operations later – family and friends have rallied around this inspirational woman to organise a fundraiser to help pay for her to enjoy a much-deserved holiday. “She is absolutely inspirational and deserves this more than anything,” said Esther High, Amy’s friend and former nurse who has organised the event. “She is a remarkable fighter and we ask for everyone’s support so she can treat herself to the trip she deserves.”

Although she has been in ill health lately, it is hoped that Amy, 28, from Moor Row, will be able to attend the fundraiser at The Marchon Club, on Friday at 7pm.

In recalling how their daughter has defied the odds, parents Peter and Kath said: “When Amy was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1998, it was thought to be inoperable and she received four months of chemotherapy without any success. In January 1999, it was decided to remove the tumour; she had two 13-hour operations which were quite successful but left her with right-sided weakness and the inability to swallow, so she needed to have a tracheotomy.”

A total of 23 operations followed in the next 12 months, including shunts put into her head, before she was allowed home in a wheelchair, with very limited mobility.

“She was admitted back to hospital a number of times over the following two years, and in total underwent 33 operations.

“It was then discovered that her tumour was growing back again and she received six weeks of radiotherapy, which seems to have stopped the tumour growing. Her prognosis at that time was not very good. But she defied the odds by living the next 12 years being relatively well, although still wheelchair-bound, with limited movement and unable to swallow.

“Last September, she started having problems with her shunts and was admitted to intensive care at the Royal Victoria Infirmary at Newcastle, where she spent another five months and underwent 12 operations, taking the total to 45.”

Tomorrow’s event will feature a disco and karaoke, live music, a raffle and an auction featuring sporting memorabilia and vouchers for local shops and services.

Esther thanks her daughter and sister-in-law, Franki-Leigh High and Sharon Rimell, for helping to organise the event. Tickets are £10 from Esther on 07743 456990.

First published at 11:59, Thursday, 21 March 2013
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk