Lissa was the third child born into the Huggins family. I am her older sister by 3 years and Stuart is her older brother by 6 years. From a very early age and as the baby of the family, Lissa was loved very much and she completed us as a whole.  Even now she gets away with things because she’s the youngest and I must admit, I am a proud and protective older sister. As young as 5 years of age, I would drag her around with me, holding hands, huffing and puffing – but secretly enjoying having her there. Shhhhh. Don’t tell my Mum or Dad! 

Our childhood together was filled with bundles of wonderful memories, happy times, special moments and lots of giggles and laughter. Lissa was the best friend I had been waiting for.  Lissa is still my best friend today.

Stuart, Lissa and I grew up in a loving family environment and I know there is nothing that my parents wouldn’t have done for us, or wouldn’t do for us today. We were loved, protected and encouraged to do our best. The adults that we have become today are all credit to our Mum and Dad. I would like to take this opportunity to tell them now how very loved they are and how much they mean to all three of us.

In 1986, Lissa joined Town Farm Primary School before moving to Bishop Wand Secondary School in 1993. Lissa made many great friends and some of the friends that she has today are friends from these early years. And by the show of support and encouragement we have received during this difficult time, she is as loved today as she was back then.

After Bishop Wand, Lissa moved to Strodes College in Egham where she obtained 3 A-Levels. Lissa was then accepted into Roehampton University, Surrey in 1999 to study for her BA QTS Teaching degree. Lissa set her heart on becoming a schoolteacher and she went on to receive a 2:1 degree in her studies. Time, passion and commitment paid off when she was offered a job at St Ignatius Roman Catholic School in Sunbury-on-Thames in 2003. Five years on, Lissa still loves her job and enjoys teaching the young children, where she often comes home with a funny story to tell from her class.

At home, Lissa is a social butterfly and she loves nothing more than spending time with her family and friends. Her social calendar changes from weekend to weekend and is often hard to keep up with. This can vary from a chilled night at home to an evening out on the town and spending quality time with people that matter the most. This underpin’s Lissa’s zest for life and the amazing character that she is.

In August 1998, Lissa met James. The love of her life and the man she will marry in 2010. Lissa and James enjoyed 4 years together before they hit a blip and parted company. Thankfully, they got back together 8 months later when they both realised how much they loved one another. After this initial set back, their relationship has continued to grow from strength to strength. So much so, that they bought a house together in July 2006 and James asked Lissa to marry him during a romantic break to New York in February 2006. Lissa’s love of James has truly rubbed off on us and I can honestly say that he is a part of our family through and through. I would just like to say a massive thank you to James for his support and determination through these difficult times and I look forward to celebrating happier times ahead. I am pleased to have James as my future brother-in-law. I’m not too sure that Lissa can say the same about hers!

In 2005, my little sister became incredibly ill. She suffered headaches, migraines, loss of feeling, sickness, vomiting, neckache and blurred vision. Her doctors and the medical profession informed her that she suffered from migraines! It wasn’t until we paid for her to be referred to a Neurologist in December 2005, that they found out what was really wrong.

My worst fears were finally realised on 8 December 2005. Lissa was diagnosed with pressure on the brain and a brain tumour. She needed emergency surgery at Charing Cross Hospital. Lissa underwent two brain operations to remove the Ependymoma Brain Tumour. After this, Lissa was given the all clear until 30 October 2008, where we found out that her Ependymoma Brain Tumour had returned and she needed radiotherapy to make her better.

I have never experienced so much fear and dread. I can honestly say that this was the worst day of my life and it was also one of the rare moments that I have ever seen Lissa’s sparkle disappear. It was devastating. But true to form, Lissa is a fighter and she has coped incredibly well with her diagnosis. Not an easy thing to do twice in a lifetime, let alone at the tender age of 24 and 27.

On 3 December 2008, we also discovered that Lissa's tumour had spread to the base of her spine and that her need for Proton Therapy treatment is even more vital. My world collapsed and my heart broke for a second time.

 

However, we have grown stronger as a family and learnt that it is important to live for today, take each step at a time and remain positive that Lissa will enjoy a bright and wonderful future. This is the start of our battle and the challenge to raise money for Melissa's Fighting Fund.

I will leave the next page for Lissa to explain her brain tumour, the treatment she has received and how this has left her feeling.

But before I go, I would just like to tell my little sister how much I love her. I promise we will do everything we can to help make you better. xxx

Please read on and help to DONATE to Melissa’s Fighting Fund. Thank you.