Micha Acopiado has been diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumour after her partner noticed an odd symptom, as her work friends launched a fundraiser in her honour
A nurse who visited her opticians when her partner noticed her eye shaking was shocked when doctors later found a tumour in her brain.
Micha Acopiado, 27, had been living in Hull for a year when her arm began feeling “tingly and numb” and migraines she had suffered for years became worse. When her partner said her right eye was shaking she visited Specsavers who found her optic nerve was swollen and referred her to a specialist eye clinic.
An MRI scan found a glioma -a tumour – in several parts of her brain. She told Hull Live : “It was such a big shock and I was so scared. I moved to Hull in February 2023 and last January my arm started feeling tingly and numb, and the sensation went from my arm down to my elbow and to my hand. I went to my GP and I was sent to physiotherapy, but the pain didn’t go away. My migraines also got worse and were so severe.
“Then I was with my partner one day and he told me my right eye was shaking. I thought I just needed glasses, so I went to Specsavers where they did an eye test and told me my optic nerve was really swollen, and referred me to the eye clinic.
“It’s been really stressful to go through, especially because all my family live in the Philippines. I have a partner here who is amazing and so supportive, but after my diagnosis I told him to leave me because I don’t know how long I will live. I was really hoping it would be at stage one or two. But my partner said, ‘Don’t worry, we will fight this together’. He’s a good man.”
A few weeks later, Micha had a biopsy, and another operation in which surgeons removed part of the tumour. Doctors were able to determine from the result of the biopsy that the stage of Micha’s tumour is early stage three. She is now undergoing chemotherapy treatment and will have another MRI scan later this year to determine the size of the tumour and whether or not she will need radiotherapy.
Because Micha is not entitled to longer sick pay, her colleagues at Castle Hill Hospital set up a Gofundme to help support Micha while she is undergoing treatment, and to raise funds for her mother to travel to Hull from the Philippines. It reads: “Micha is a vibrant, hardworking, and loving person who has dedicated her life to caring for others as a nurse in the Philippines and in Hull, UK. Now, she needs our help more than ever.
“Micha is only 27 buthas been diagnosed with stage three diffused infiltrative glioma, a rare and aggressive brain tumour. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and will soon begin radiotherapy as part of her year-long treatment plan. Unfortunately, the treatments leave her in constant pain and with low immunity, making it impossible for her to work.
“Micha moved to the UK just a year ago to pursue her dreams and build a better future. As she has not been here long enough, she is not entitled to longer sick pay or statutory pay. She has now lost her income entirely and is struggling to meet even her basic daily living expenses.
“Micha’s journey is a testament to her resilience and determination, but no one should face this alone. Let’s show her that she is not alone, and that her community stands with her.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in Micha’s life. If you’re unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this campaign with your network and keeping Micha in your prayers.”
