After receiving a diagnosis that rocked her world, Kymm Grotto’s support network has thrown their arms around her.
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In February this year, Mrs Grotto had scans of her brain after experiencing headaches, spreading to symptoms like vertigo, double vision and migraines.
She was then diagnosed with multiple brain tumours.
It’s déjà vu for the Grotto family, as Mrs Grotto’s daughter Kyla underwent surgery for a brain tumour in October 2018.
“She had a headache for just over 400 days in total,” Mrs Grotto said.
“We got a lot of ‘no’s, a lot of ‘it’s inoperable, nobody does this’.
“I got on to a Facebook group for the same things that are going on, and realised Charlie Teo is the only one that does it in Australia.
“We got a referral from our local GP and went straight down from there.”
Following the success of Kyla’s treatment seven years ago, when Mrs Grotto received her diagnosis, her first thought was to get in touch with Dr Teo.
Mrs Grotto will undergo surgery with Dr Teo next month in China.
“We did try another surgeon, but he wasn’t prepared to do it,” she said.
“We’ve already had our appointment with Charlie, so we’ll meet him in China two days before the surgery.
“He’ll do another set of scans, and then we’ll discuss his actual procedure and where he enters into the skull.
“Then I have the surgery done, at the moment, on the 26th of September.”
Dr Teo is unable to operate in Australia after being found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission in 2023.
These complaints came from the families of patients who believe they did not receive enough warning about the potentially fatal risks of surgery.
Mrs Grotto fully supports Dr Teo.
“He is a brilliant surgeon that does us ‘one per cent people’,” she said.
“The ones that nobody else will touch.”
The cost of the treatment is about $65,000, not including flights, accommodation and care post-operation.
This is a huge strain on the family, particularly as Kyla’s surgery in 2018 was $150,000.
The emotional toll has also impacted Mrs Grotto and her support network.
“It hurts a lot,” she said.
“We’ve gotta leave the kids at home because we all can’t go, then my husband doesn’t have a support person there for him.
“If something does go wrong, it’s a long way from home. If you’re in Australia, it’s a lot easier.
“We don’t speak the same language... emotionally it’s very, very overwhelming.”
The Grotto tribe has rallied around them to show their support.
Mrs Grotto’s Campaspe Shire Council colleagues Astrid O’Farrell, Sam Clark and Roimata Adams created a GoFundMe for their friend to raise funds for her medical expenses.
A morning tea was held at the council offices on Wednesday, August 13, with many staff members contributing to the cause.
Mrs Grotto’s daughter Clair donated beautiful blooms from her florist George and Petunia to fundraise with, and her mother-in-law Giacomina prepared cannoli and tiramisu in true Italian style.
“It took me a long time to get used to the support,” Mrs Grotto said.
“But now (I have) open arms, and actually, it's the way that people show their affection and their love towards you.
“I'm feeling it at the moment that I've got a really good lot of work colleagues here.”
To contribute to Kymm Grotto’s GoFundMe, head to gofundme.com/f/help-kymm-grotto-reclaim-her-life
Cadet Journalist