A DALGETY Bay woman's family have given up their life savings to pay for a risky brain operation that she hopes will give her a better chance of life.

Pamela Thompson, 47, was diagnosed with a tumour six years ago and the condition turned her world upside down.

To give her more time with her loved ones, she has decided to go through hours of private surgery, paid for by her family.

Friends have also set up a funding page to help as much as they can with the £40,000 cost.

Pamela, a former early years officer with Fife Council, told the Press: " I’m very lucky to have such a loving family who would make this sacrifice and I could not do it without them.

“There is a risk that I might not make it, but I have to do it.”

Continued on page 12 “I’m really touched that my friend Louise has done this for me.

“It’s really kind and it’s incredible that people have already donated.

Pamela’s tumour sits on the right side of the brain where our motor and sensory strips lie and so she will need to be awake through hours of surgery to make sure there is less risk of left sided weakness and not being able to swallow after the operation.

She says: “Paying for the surgery which will include an MRI scan part way through the operation, a technique not currently available in Scotland, I think it’s the right choice for me.”

In order to get the particular type of surgery she wanted, Pam opted to go private and will head to London to get 90 per cent of the tumour removed on March 1.

“It’s not easy to leave a tumour in place in the brain, watching as it continuously grows - albeit slowly - but you’re living life in six monthly increments knowing at some point it will change to a higher grade, grow faster and inevitably end your life,” Pamela said.

“As from October 2017, the tumour has been growing larger that it has in the past, so I feel now is the time to do it.

“I also have MS so I’m very conscious there could be a risk of an MS relapse after surgery which could also affect my function and recovery.

“The surgeon in London believes surgery is high risk but, leaving the tumour in place will see it invade further brain tissue and there will be more risk as they wait for it to change to a higher grade.

“The scans currently show it’s probably a grade two tumour, but they could find it is higher once they begin surgery.”

However, the surgery won’t completely remove the tumour and it will grow back.

Pamela, who is married to Ian, has a 28-year-old daughter called Nikki, a 10-year-old daughter called Becky and a seven-year-old granddaughter called Caitlin.

Her diagnosis of MS and a brain tumour has led her to have to give up work and says that sometimes she feels like a “old woman”.

She added: “After working in a few different jobs I studied child care and once I qualified I got a top job as an early years officer in a top local school.

“It was at this time that I was given the devastating diagnosis. I tried to work as long as I could but I the pain got worse and I was so fatigued.

“That was so hard because I worked so hard to get that amazing job.

“My memory is also affected, I have blurred vision and dizziness.

“There will be times when I make a cup a tea and then forget straight away and make another.

“It can feel like I’m an old woman and it’s is very upsetting.”

Friend Louise Vickers said: “The cost of this surgery is putting extreme financial pressure on the whole extended family and causing much stress at a time when Pammie needs to concentrate on the surgery ahead and getting better.

“Every penny donated will help towards these very high medical costs and I hope you can join me in helping the family and wishing Pam every success in her forthcoming surgery.”

To donate please visit www.gofundme.com/helping-pammie