Brain op mum celebrates son’s birthday in hospital

Campaign launched to fund laser therapy for brave 22-year-old battling tumour

A young Fife mum has celebrated her baby son’s first birthday in hospital as she bravely battles an inoperable brain tumour.

Rebecca Williamson, of Kirkcaldy, had no idea anything was wrong until a few weeks ago when her health started to rapidly deteriorate.

The 22-year-old is now struggling with everyday living and is undergoing a course of radiotherapy for an aggressive tumour.

She marked her son Carter’s first birthday while she is in hospital for treatment.

Rebecca’s sister-in-law Clare Paterson has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the gofundme website to pay for laser therapy which has only recently become available in the UK.

“Five weeks ago Rebecca was fit and healthy, able to care for her son and go about her daily routine like any other 22 year old should be,” said Clare.

“After that Rebecca started to deteriorate right before our eyes.

“Because of where the tumour is, it’s pressing on her nervous system meaning that it has affected her walking, talking, swallowing and ability to do everyday tasks that we all take for granted.”

Two years ago, the family endured the heartbreak of losing Claire’s partner, and Rebecca’s brother, Ryan Bonner.

Ryan had Marfan Syndrome, which causes serious heart problems, and died aged just 32 as a result of complications following heart surgery.

Rebecca had previously lost her mum at a young age to pancreatic cancer.

Clare said: “Rebecca has not had things easy and we were so happy when she had her little boy Carter last year, only for Carter to be in and out of hospital with breathing problems since his birth.”

The fundraising campaign has so far reached around £5,400 of the £50,000 target.

“As Rebecca’s tumour is in a hard to reach area of the brain, the only treatment the NHS can offer is radiation to try and reduce the tumour,” said Clare.

“Rebecca is a young mother who has been through so much in her short life and deserves to have some happiness and her family have been looking at other ways to get rid of the tumour.

“We have recently been told about laser treatment where the neurosurgeon can pinpoint and treat hard to reach areas of the brain, killing cells to ensure no healthy tissues is damaged.

“It is not funded on the NHS and only available at one hospital in London.”

Rebecca cuddles her one-year-old son Carter as they celebrate his birthday in hospital. Below, the pair share a happier moment before it was discovered the young mum had a brain tumour