Michelle Shoveller, a 42-year-old carer from Sittingbourne, Kent, has been given just months to live after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Her symptoms began with vertigo, but she initially showed no other signs of the disease.
In August last year, Michelle called her partner of 28 years, Lee Cuzner, from work to say she 'felt funny'. Lee initially thought they had just had a busy weekend, but when he arrived to check on her, he found her 'slouched over an armchair' in a client's room, with 999 on loudspeaker. Within minutes, she suffered a seizure, stopped breathing, and Lee had to perform CPR until paramedics arrived.
Diagnosis and Surgery
Michelle was rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, where a CT scan revealed lesions on her brain. A follow-up MRI confirmed a tumour, though it was initially unclear if it was cancerous. She was transferred to King's College Hospital in London, where doctors diagnosed stage 4 glioblastoma, described as the worst type of brain tumour.
Shortly after diagnosis, Michelle underwent a seven-hour operation to remove the tumour. Surgeons successfully excised 98% of it, but the remaining 2% regrew aggressively within weeks, eventually becoming larger than the original tumour.
Terminal Prognosis
Lee recalled the devastating moment doctors told them the news: 'We were in King's for around a week and, unfortunately, they took us to a room – by then, Michelle was back on her feet – and they said it was terminal. She was given around a year to 18 months to live. It was devastating. I cried for ages. The both of us did.'
Determined to make memories, the family took a trip to Disneyland Paris. However, soon after returning, Michelle was rushed back to King's for another operation to treat fluid buildup on her brain. After several rounds of intense radiotherapy, she is now under the care of the Wisdom Hospice's end-of-life team.
Current Condition and Fundraising
Michelle has lost all sensation and movement on the left side of her body. She is taking experimental medication that the family must pay for themselves. To cover costs and 'make Michelle's remaining time nice', the couple set up a GoFundMe page, which will also help with funeral expenses when the time comes.
Lee said: 'She still wants to try and do things. She can still go out in the car in the wheelchair, so we still take her on days out here and there. And of course, when the inevitable happens, it will help contribute towards the funeral costs.'
