Brave Laura Robertson-Tierney sets up Louby's Lifeline appeal

Laura Robertson-Tierney used a finger board to tell her mum, Emma, “I never want anyone else to go through what I have gone through.”

Aged only 17, Laura, known since childhood as Louby after the children’s TV character Louby Lou, has had months of gruelling treatment after been diagnosed with the brain tumours.

She has now gained another nickname – Legend – given her by surgeons and health staff who have been looking after her over the past six months.

Each day is still a challenge but despite that, Louby, who lives in Malton, has set up an appeal – Louby’s Lifeline – to help fund research and support others whose lives have been devastated by similar circumstances.

Louby collapsed in April and has since undergone two major operations, as well as weeks of intensive radiotherapy.

Before that she was a bright, bubbly and humorous teenager, studying English Literature, accounting and psychology at Norton College sixth form after passing 14 GCSEs.

She had a part-time job as a waitress and was a keen sportswoman. After A-levels, she wanted to study health and social studies at Scarborough before university and eventually become a primary school teacher.

But then Louby collapsed at work and was taken to York Hospital. She was found to have two tumours on the brain and Lou was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary for surgery.

“After the first operation Lou recovered well initially, but then went downhill and kept losing her balance,” Emma said.

“I then got a phone call saying I had to be back at the hospital to meet her surgeons and they explained about the cancer.”

Louby’s cancer was so aggressive that even the operation she faced posed huge risks.

The tumours were embedded in her brain stem. Emma had to deal with the news that Lou could die or the operation risked wiping out every nerve in her body.

Emma said: “What choice did we have? The cancer had to be dealt with so we agreed to the surgery.

“Having made that decision, it was made more difficult to stick to when they told us no one had carried out an operation like this before.”

Louby’s scans were sent around the world with surgeons in Toronto putting forward an operation plan to Leeds neurosurgeon Paul Chumas.

Less than two weeks after her first major operation, Louby was taken into theatre again.

“They predicted the surgery would take about six hours. It took 18-and-a-half hours,” Emma said.

Louby came through but was put into a coma, on a ventilator. She was paralysed down the left side of her body and the right side of her face and could only blink to communicate.

Louby later went through a gruelling six-and-a-half week course of radiotherapy on her brain and spinal column.

She now spends five nights a week at a rehabilitation centre at Chapel Allerton, returning home for the weekend. Injections into her throat have stimulated her vocal cords, but she is unable to eat or drink anything.

Emma said: “This is a devastating disease that affects every part of you. Watching your child go through this ordeal is agonising.”

Emma said Louby’s determination made her fight every day to continue with her rehabilitation.

“It will be a long road to recovery and the journey is only just beginning,” she said.

“Louby wanted to do something positive and decided to work with her surgeon’s charity, Brian Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire.”

Emma said there were 120 different types of brain tumour and brain tumour cancer killed more people under 40 than any other cancer.

“We realise that brain tumours happen to anyone, at any age and literally stop you in your tracks,” Emma said.

“Research is poorly funded, with less than one per cent of funds raised for research into cancer are devoted to brain cancer.”

The appeal is being backed by the Gazette & Herald, sister paper of The Press, which will be publicising and helping to promote fundraising events for Louby’s Lifeline.

Friends and fellow students at Norton College have already got their fundraising efforts under way with collection boxes in the school canteen along with a talent night and pyjama day.

Future events also include a bingo night at Woodlands Community Centre in Rillington on Wednesday, November 2 at 7.15pm.

Emma said she and Louby were grateful for everyone’s support.

“Our friends and family have been amazing, supporting us both and organising some brilliant fundraising and awareness events – we are both very touched.

“We are hoping to hold a charity ball next year and just raise as much money and awareness as we can.”

l If you plan to hold an event to help Louby’s Lifeline, phone Gazette & Herald reporter Karen Darley on 01653 659600, email maltongazette@gazetteherald.co.uk or call in the Malton office in Yorkersgate, from Monday.