After Brain Tumour Treatment: What to Expect

An important question, often raised by patients and families is What Happens to Me After Treatment for a Brain Tumour?

Vonnie Hastings, a founding board member of Brainchild Foundation and retired paediatric neuro-oncology nurse specialist, notes that even young children may notice changes in their lives following treatment for a brain tumour.

Why does this happen:
The tumour may develop pressure within the skull as it grows and damage normal tissue. The surgery to remove it requires intense and delicate work to achieve the best outcome – this too can cause physical damage.
The treatment that is required, such as radiation and chemotherapy may both cause long term cognitive and hearing problems as well as long lasting fatigue.
All treatment is geared to survival, but it is survival that comes at a big cost to a child seeking to have what we would call, a normal life.
The damage that has resulted may lead to an acquired brain injury that is lifelong.

What can happen:

The ability of young people to learn and remember in their early years is threatened.

“Even in very young children, we found academic readiness was starting to lag behind healthy children their age,” said corresponding author Heather Conklin, PhD, St. Jude Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences member and Section of Neuropsychology chief. “They were gradually falling behind their same-age peers in academic fundamentals, such as learning their letters, numbers and colours.” 

What we can do:
This information guides our drive to provide those resources not just for the very young child but for those young people who are striving to achieve sufficient results to follow their dream of becoming an independent adult.

How do we do it:
Recognising two things:

• Tuition is essential in a one:one situation that allows a calm encouraging space to listen and learn strengthening their short term memory constantly.
• Therapy is essential for the child to regain confidence, improve speech and writing skills when not assisted by NDIS

The Better Tomorrows Program is our call to action:
Each eligible child up to 24 years may receive a $3000 package to pay for tuition or therapy. This is offered nationally, may last for one year, and is constantly requested.

Referrals are sent online to www.brainchild.org.au and subsequent support comes through [email protected].

Are we able to offer more than one package as the child progresses through school?

THAT IS OUR DREAM! Can you help us achieve this?