After 36 years together Karen Russell and Trisha Milne married last month.
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While it was a long-awaited, joyous day, it also came soon after the Tomerong couple had been delivered a shocking blow.
Karen was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
The former early intervention teacher at Bomaderry Public School retired four years ago and planned to travel around Australia with Trisha in their campervan.
Their plans all changed in June when Karen realised her left arm wasn’t co-operating when performing with her African drumming group in Ulladulla.
An MRI revealed an aggressive brain tumor.
Within a week Karen had undergone three surgeries. She was back in hospital the day after her wedding.
Karen is currently undergoing chemotherapy but will make sure she’s on hand to watch on this Thursday, October 25 as the couple’s daughter Erin Milne shaves her hair to raise money to improve brain cancer treatment.
Twenty-four-year-old Erin is raising money, while finishing her nursing degree through the University of Wollongong, for The Brain Cancer Group.
She started an Everyday Hero page, Bald for Brain Cancer, and has raised almost $4000.
Erin will have her hair shaved on Thursday at Inspired Hair Design in Nowra.
She’s hoping to raise awareness, as well as more funds.
“I am raising money for The Brain Cancer Group to hopefully help future people diagnosed and their families to one day improve treatment and give quality of life to those with brain tumors or cancers,” she said.
“I will be shaving my head and going Bald for Brain Cancer so my mum can be a part of the process.”
Karen has been receiving all her treatment at the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre.
“Our lives are a revolving door of appointments but it’s such a relief to be able to do it all here,” Trisha said.
“I don’t know how people did it before.”
While Trisha said they’re taking it “day by day”, the couple is focusing on the good.
“After 36 years we always planned to get married at this wasn’t going to stop us,” she said.
“Our daughter also had the date already tattooed on her leg so we weren’t going to change it,” Trisha laughed.
The pair tied the knot on Thursday, September 20 at Wildwood in Kangaroo Valley.
Donate to Erin’s cause here. Find more information on brain cancer and the work of The Brain Cancer Group at braincancergroup.com.au.
