Living with brain metastasis, Donna Marshall is learning how to look forward despite the looming uncertainty of what her future holds.
At the height of the Covid pandemic, Donna was diagnosed with stage three bilateral breast cancer after finding a 13cm tumour under her right breast. The cancer was picked up at her regular mammogram, but it was fast growing.
“I had the double mastectomy. Then I had radiation and I started to go downhill.
“I knew that there was something wrong. I would drop things. I would not be able to talk properly. I was shaky. I had trouble walking.
“They kept on saying this is your new normal, we have to get used to it and I accepted that,” Donna explained.
May 2022, Donna had a focal seizure and was transported to Logan Hospital. She was told that the cancer she’d been in remission for had metastasised and spread to her brain.
Donna’s case was brought to the attention of Dr Michael Huo, a Radiation Oncologist at the PA Hospital, who was conducting a clinical study on the use of Gamma Knife technology for brain metastasis patients.
The PA has one of only three Gamma Knife machines in the country. The machine is non-invasive radiation technology that precisely targets brain tumours and neurological conditions using highly focused gamma rays.
Dr Huo was the first Gamma Knife Fellow to complete his study at the PA Hospital thanks to funding by PA Research Foundation donors.
On Donna’s 25th wedding Anniversary to her husband Gary, she underwent Gamma Knife surgery and had a craniotomy that same day.
“6.30 that night, I sat up and had a three course dinner. At 9.30, I made the nurses’ coffee, and they kicked me out because of my independence,” she said.
“I couldn't believe it. The mastectomy was so bad and then to have this and it was such a walk in the park.”
After the craniotomy, Donna and her family found a sense of normalcy.
“I went back to work. We took our son travelling with six friends around Europe and had an amazing time. I had my 60th birthday over there. We did about 10 cruises. We lived life to the fullest.”
For two and half years Donna was metastasis free, but in August 2024, the day before her birthday, Donna was told two brain mets had returned. The mets were removed again by Dr Huo and the Gamma Knife. Then in May 2025 two more mets were found.
“We call it whack-a-mole. I just thought, this is the end but of course, good old Dr. Huo took a look. I owe that man so much and he said, let's get it whacked.”
Donna’s healthcare team at the PA are treating the brain mets as they come.
“I don't know what the next scan is going to bring. I've had nine months of great.”
“I currently have a 3.5 millimetre bit of leftover, but it’s been stable. It's come down from about seven millimetres so it's being monitored.
“Dr. Kate Roberts, my medical oncologist, has been a rock, and Emma McKinnell, the registered nurse, consultant is amazing.”
Foundation supporters made Donna’s treatment possible, through funding upgrades to the Gamma Knife machine for targeting brain metastasis and by making Dr Huo’s fellowship possible.
“I'm grateful every day. Universe, God, whatever you want to call it, put me in the right place at the right time because I was here,” she said.
“If the PA Foundation hadn't organised for Dr. Huo to do all of that training. If the PA Foundation hadn't done all that work with the Gamma Knife, I wouldn't be here. I'm a great believer in that.
“It's given me an extra four years with my family, and everybody deserves that.”
Donna explained how even with Gamma Knife treatment, the uncertainty of reoccurrence makes it exceptionally hard to look forward for fear of what’s to come.
“I realised that for six years, I've had no vision…. I'd been scared to look ahead. I've been living my life three months at a time… this service made me realise it's okay to have a vision.
“It may change, but it's okay to have to hope.
“It's been a journey and there's been times when I've sat on the recliner at two in the morning and cried my eyes out because I just didn't know what was going to happen, and I still don’t know.”
Incredibly passionate about research and the advancements that clinical trials create, Donna encourages everyone to participate in any way they can.
“Research is important to me because I see the awareness all the time, but people don't realise that the awareness doesn't lead to cures,” she said.
“…So many good things aren't going to clinical trial, because they can't get the funding for it.
“I just want people to know that just signing up for some sort of study, it can make so much difference.”
Donna is incredibly grateful for the support of Gary and her son Andrew throughout her journey.
“People need to not underestimate how much it does to their partner. I see just how much he (Gary) gives as a family member... He's been by my side for nearly 35 years now... He’s really the wind beneath my wings.”
Having her son Andrew close by makes the world of difference too.
“Never underestimate the power of the family unit.”
Donna’s story is one of strength and determination, but it is her vulnerability and openness that are her most powerful attributes.
“I'm a great believer in you walk your path and then you share it because that becomes someone else’s survival guide.
“It's just being able to share my story and let people know that it’s okay.”
If you’d like to help fund groundbreaking research, lifesaving equipment like the Gamma Knife, or support fellowships that advance staff knowledge, make the PA Research Foundation your place to give here.
