Update: SA Mom with Brain Tumour has successful surgery in the UK

Credit: Byron Bekker Facebook

People came together to support the Bekker family in their time of need and it has been a great success! Cherry-Lee underwent surgery and is recovering well.

Cherry-Lee, her husband Byron and their 3-month-old were in the UK to introduce the family to their new bundle of joy. The trip was set to be an exciting one with lots of family time on the cards. However, Cherry-Lee started having health complications.

After multiple seizures, it was discovered that she had a 5 cm brain tumour on the front left lobe of her brain. Both UK and SA doctors assessed the situation and confirmed that it would be a high risk for Cherry-Lee to fly home. The fear was that she could haemorrhage or go into cardiac arrest while on a long-haul flight.

Her medical team in the UK confirmed they could operate as long as the family paid the bill up front before the operation. Their medical aid provider felt the surgery should be done in SA and that despite various doctors assessments, the family should fly home.

Refusing to risk flying, the family was offered a portion of funds for the op, but not enough to cover it. They set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise the difference and were surprised when it only took 4 days to be fully funded.

They were able to pay the fees in time and Cherry-Lee went into surgery at 18:00 South African time, on the 20th of June 2018. Today, we have a delightful update.

This morning, Byron confirmed that the operation was a success and Cherry-Lee is awake and making everyone laugh again.

Good morning everyone. Last night after an almost 3-hour procedure, the surgeons successfully removed the tumour from Cherry-lee. She was responding well after surgery when she woke up there were no apparent complications. Our Cherry-lee was already cracking jokes and giving us reasons to laugh. We are going to visit her this morning and see how she is doing. Thank you again for all your love and support.

If you like to follow her recovery, you can do so on Facebook here, they have set up a page to update the public. In total, the crowdfund has reached over R260,000.00. The funds left over from the op will be used to support the family through recovery and cover the costs of returning home.