Daughter sets up fundraiser to get second opinion on mother's cancer diagnosis

A woman from West Lothian is calling on the public’s support to hep her pay for private medical advice on her mother’s devastating cancer diagnosis.

Tiegan, far right, with her mother, Laura, and two younger siblings picture: supplied

Laura Mcaloon, who has three children, was first diagnosed with lung cancer in August.

The 36-year-old, from Bathgate, responded well to chemotherapy, but as of January this year, doctors found the cancer had made its way to her brain through her blood stream and has now been described as terminal.

Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, daughter Tiegan said the family have been told the only treatment available is “whole brain radiation” to keep Laura alive, which could reduce her quality of life.

But, taking it upon herself to do all that she can for her mother’s health, the 20-year-old is hoping to raise £7,000 to seek “a second opinion” from private clinics in Scotland and England.

She said she is currently enquiring health professionals about proton beam therapy, which uses a beam of protons to irradiate diseased tissue, and mistletoe therapy – a form of anthroposophical medicine.

"I just refuse to get upset about it,” said Tiegan, who is currently studying social care at university.

"We need to do everything that we can to help mum at this stage. Not every body responds the same to treatment which is why I want to try other options.

"She’s not ready to go yet, so that’s why I am raising the money.”

Tiegan quit her job in a care home to help her dad look after her mother and two younger siblings aged two and 13.

She hopes the family will raise enough money to pay for a consultation, and potentially treatment, at either one of two clinics she has spoken to – one in Aberdeen and the other south of the border.

"The NHS nurses at Western General where mum has been receiving treatment have been brilliant, but I just want to get a second opinion,” she said.

"And if these two clinics that I have found can’t help, then the money will go towards paying for things that will make mum more comfortable, like an orthopaedic mattress.

"She’s in a lot of pain, and has been for a while.”

In just one day, Tiegan’s fundraiser raised more than £2,800 of her £7,000 target.

Speaking about her daughter’s fundraising efforts, Laura said: “The response to this gofundme set up by my daughter overnight has been amazing, I have been left totally overwhelmed and in tears – happy tears. I am not ready to give up this fight and if there’s anything that I am sure about, it’s the fact that I am more than ready to fight in any way that I can.

"I’ve promised the kids, and I’ve promised myself I’ll do anything I can to be there for them.

"Another hurdle I’m going to do my best to jump over, but for now, thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.”

Tiegan added: “They say life begins at 40, my mum is only 36.

"Anyone who knows her will tell you how great a woman she is, she’s one of a kind, and we refuse to let her be another statistic.”

To donate to Tiegan’s cause, visit here

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