Rhiana, 29 from Perth says she started experiencing symptoms 18 months ago however was initially diagnosed with conjunctivitis.
However, when she started experiencing headaches, blurred vision and numbness to her face she decided to seek further advice, resulting in nine separate visits to different doctors.
Tragically, in August this year an MRI scan revealed a tumour growing on the nerve between her eye and brain.
“Along here from my nose into my eye... (it felt) like someone tasering my face,” she revealed to Channel 7.
'I asked the doctor "so am I going to die from this?" and she said "yes".'
However, brave Rhiana is determined not to give up. After 'having a good cry', she vowed to fight her illness with the help of her family and loved ones, despite the fact that she is in constant extreme pain.
'She's tough, there's no such thing as you can't,' her father Thomas said.
Rhiana is now planning to fly to Sydney for a consultation with Dr Charlie Teo, a top brain surgeon with a reputation for operating where others won’t.
However, treatment with Dr Teo isn’t cheap. With costs expected to be over $100,000, Rhiana’s family have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the potentially life saving treatment.
'The cancer is malignant, and she is terminal,' close friend Dean Simcock wrote on the page.
'There is a glimmer of hope in the form of a qualified and reputable neurosurgeon in Sydney who has the skill set, ability and confidence to operate on Rhiana's tumour. His name is Dr. Charlie Teo.
'He could very well be Rhiana's last and only hope for a cure. Of course this chance and Dr Teo's level of expertise doesn't come without a hefty price tag.'
In just three weeks the page has raised $30,193 of its $25,000 goal.
Rhiana has also warned others about the potential risks associated with innocuous symptoms.
“I know the story doesn't end that way. Not for me,” she said.
This article originally appeared on New Idea.
