Emily Kirk

I celebrated the start of my 30s with my best friend, Gabrielle. I was pregnant with my second daughter, and we reflected on all the good things to come and how much we had to look forward to.

Only a few months later, just weeks after having my daughter, my life came to a halt—a roadblock I couldn’t navigate without immediate support from family and friends. I had been experiencing mild visual symptoms for six months, which were dismissed as pregnancy related. Thankfully, I persisted in questioning it, underwent an MRI, and was called in by my GP immediately to discuss the results. A tumour, most likely a glioma… cancer.

Overnight, we moved into my parents’ house and prepared for the unknown. Dr. Curtis performed an excellent surgery, and the incredible team at North Shore Private Hospital allowed me to have my husband and newborn stay with me so that I could continue to feed and care for her as best I could.

Recovery wasn’t easy, and unfortunately, I did lose some vision, but I couldn’t have done it without my parents, husband, sisters, and Gabrielle. Someone was with me 24/7. In many ways, I felt like I had become a newborn too, starting life from scratch. My daughter became my security blanket—always with me throughout this journey—something constant that kept me distracted from the chaos.

The Brain Cancer Group was the safety net that caught me just as I began to spiral with fear. Dr. Back, Dr. Wheeler, and Nurse Practitioner Marina knew all the details of my journey even before meeting me, and they instantly made me feel in control of the situation and in the safest hands. Not only was I being treated by them, but I also felt advocated for. I know they are putting their great minds together to do whatever they can to give me the best possible outcome—and maybe, one day, a cure.

Emily Kirk