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Larissa Kilpatrick, a resident of Taigum, was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this year in January after suffering a seizure, which led doctors to discover a tumour. By April, she was preparing for an awake craniotomy, a procedure where patients remain conscious during surgery to help reduce the risk of damaging important brain functions. 

Ms Kilpatrick’s tumour was located near the region of the brain that controls speech, making the decision to stay awake during the surgery crucial in protecting her ability to speak.

During the operation, Ms Kilpatrick was accompanied by speech pathologist Nadia DeSilva, who played a key role in monitoring her speech throughout the procedure. Ms DeSilva, a Churchill Fellowship Scholarship recipient, worked with the patient to perform speech tasks, ensuring the surgical team did not cause any harm to her communication abilities. 

While awake, Ms Kilpatrick repeated words and listened to music, such as Taylor Swift songs, to stay calm. Though Kilpatrick recalls feeling nervous going into the surgery, she followed the team’s instructions closely and remained focused. 

Six months after the procedure, Kilpatrick continues to undergo chemotherapy, with nearly a year of treatment remaining. She credits the awake surgery with giving her another chance at life and expressed her gratitude for the support of her partner and family, who have helped her through both the good and difficult days of recovery.

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Looking ahead, Kilpatrick is focused on her ongoing recovery and is eager to regain her strength, with plans to return to regular physical activity when her health allows.

Published 18-Oct-2024

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