Miracle Surgery Survival
- English mom Lisa Robinson, 44, went to Turkey for a cosmetic procedure consult with a dentist, and wound up undergoing an emergency 13-hour surgery for glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.
- While in the dentist’s office last month in the resort city of Antalya, Lisa suddenly started presenting with symptoms like she was intoxicated. Luckily, she got immediate help and was taken to the hospital, where they found the fist-sized tumor.
- Glioblastoma, also called GBM, is the most aggressive brain tumor in adults. Although rare, this tumor can divide rapidly and grow quickly. It is incurable, but it can be managed with treatment.
While in the dentist’s office last month in Antalya, the country’s resort city on the Southern coast, the mother of two suddenly started presenting with symptoms like she was intoxicated.
Read MoreLisa said she felt “elated” when she woke up in the hospital with boyfriend Michael by her side, but then had to deal with the financial part of her medical emergency, as it was not getting covered under her travel insurance.
Dealing with the money aspect of your disease on top of having to fight the disease can be horrendously daunting for many patients. It’s important to know in advance what your insurance covers, as the company Lisa purchased travel insurance with insists that there was a reason why her surgery was not covered.
"Whilst we understand that this is a distressing situation, declaring previous medical history is extremely important when purchasing travel insurance, as not doing so can invalidate your policy,” a rep for Axa told the Mirror.
"The initial question that Ms Robinson was asked at the start of the sales process, is there to determine the best policy cover based on any previous medical history,” the statement continued.
Paying for Cancer Find Someone Who Will Advocate For You
"Had Ms Robinson declared her previous medical history, she would have been offered an alternative insurance policy that would have better suited her needs and covered her for medical assistance related to this condition whilst abroad."
Stage 4 Brain Cancer
When she returned home to the UK, Lisa learned about the stage 4 brain cancer diagnosis. Though she survived the surgery, glioblastoma is incurable, however it is treatable and there is more and more hope with patients living longer lives these days.
"I just feel so frustrated. I'm a 44-year-old, and my life has changed in three weeks,” Lisa said. "I definitely didn't think for one minute that it would be cancer. But last night I was told that the tumour was stage four, untreatable.
Dr. Henry Friedman, neuro-oncologist Duke Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet that there is indeed more optimism with the future of this disease.
There Is New Hope for Those Fighting Glioblastoma; Using Polio & Immunotherapy to Fight Brain Tumors
Dr. Friedman and his Duke colleagues are investigating a new therapy that combines the modified poliovirus and immunotherapy to treat glioblastoma. "The modified poliovirus is used to treat this tumor by injecting it directly into the tumor, through a catheter. It is designed to lyse the tumor and cause the tumor cells to basically break up," Dr. Friedman explained.
"I think that the modified poliovirus is going to be a game-changer in glioblastoma," he added, "but I should also say that its reach is now extending into melanoma soon to bladder cancer."
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
