Brave Alicia and family left financially devastated after cancer I’m just glad to be alive

Jessica Benton
Alicia Withington has overcome a “death sentence” but her cancer survival has left the Ocean Grove resident and her family financially devastated.
The 29-year-old defied all odds to survive a risky brain operation after she was diagnosed with a rare cancer.
Alicia and husband Daniel were forced to remortgage their family home to cover the $240,000 operation and other medical costs.
Alicia’s parents also remortgaged their home, while Daniel’s mother and father took out a loan to help with the bills.
A community fundraiser gathered about $70,000 toward the costs.
The Independent reported last year that the couple had sought funding from State Government to help with medical expenses that exceeded $300,000.
But the Government refused to step in despite Bellarine MP Lisa Neville taking a petition with 3281 signatures to parliament.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews later told the Independent the government’s position remained unchanged, so no financial assistance would be granted. The Government was often presented with similar pleas for help, he said.
Ms Withington is now on the road to recovery, undergoing extensive rehabilitation at Geelong’s McKellar Centre.
“I’m trying to get my life back on track now,” she told the Independent as part of a launch of community service Karingal’s Employment after Brain Injury program.
“After the operation I couldn’t walk and was left wheelchair bound and with limited speech ability. I was told never to expect to walk again but I defied all odds as far as my recovery goes.
“I’m now walking with a cane and can communicate verbally again.
“I put it down to my own strength and staying positive and I believe that deep down I’m going to make a full recovery.”
Ms Withington said she now had her eyes set on long-term goals.
“My main focus at the moment is trying to get the function back in my arms and hands,” she said.
“Down the track, I want to think about having children and being physically ready to do so.
“I’d also like to get back into the workforce but try something different, maybe in the health care industry.”
Ms Withington said she would celebrate her 30th birthday with family next week.
“I never expected life to be like this at 30,” she said.
“But I’ve got to keep going on and think about what life will be like at 40.”