A 31-year-old American woman living in Bali has been left fighting for her life in hospital following a shock brain tumour diagnosis.
Kristen Dineen - who moved from California to Indonesia on a working visa five years ago - started experiencing excruciating headaches and she was feeling unwell with what she thought was a sinus infection.
After beating melanoma in her early 20s, the financial worker of a Balinese fashion label was hit with another devastating blow.
Following a CT scan on September 19, doctors found she had five new masses on her brain, with the biggest measuring 5cm in diameter.
And now she's faced with hefty medical bills and a costly flight home because her travel insurance won't cover her expenses due to her medical history.
Her Australian best friend Sarah Holman, 30, has rallied behind Kristen to help her raise $170,000 for a medivac flight to fly her home after she was deemed unsafe to travel on a commercial plane.
American woman Kristen Dineen (pictured) living in Bali has been left fighting for her life in hospital after she was diagnosed with brain tumours
Australian friend Sarah Holman (left) has rallied behind Kristen to help her raise $170,000 for a medivac flight home to the US after she was deemed unsafe to travel on a commercial plane
'Due to the pressure this tumour is placing on her brain, the risks of flying on a commercial flight are potentially fatal for her,' Sarah told Daily Mail Australia.
About two months ago, friends started noticing something different about Kristen.
'Kristen wasn't feeling 100 per cent. She was not her usual outgoing self,' Sarah said.
'She had some hip pain and just assumed it was from training at the gym, she's quite an active person. But more recently in the last week before the diagnosis, she started getting overwhelming headaches. The painkillers weren't shifting her headaches.
'She initially had a sinus infection and was given a round of antibiotics. The infection cleared up but not the headaches so just by chance, the doctors suggested giving her a CT Scan. And she was very lucky when they did.'
Following the scan, doctors found five masses on her brain.
On Saturday, Kristen was airlifted to a hospital in Singapore where she remains in ICU for further treatment under the care of a renowned brain surgeon.
'Kristen has been surrounded by friends this whole time. Her father arrived a couple of days ago and he has been a huge comfort for her,' Sarah said.
'She is definitely in higher spirits now. She's currently on steroids and it's helping her a little. But even though she's steroids, she was out of breath and she didn't even make it far when she went for a walk with a friend the other day.
'Based on the neurosurgeons we've spoken to from around the world, every person has outlined the potential severity of the situation.
'Due to battling and beating cancer, if you have any sort of cancer throughout your body, for this to have potentially travelled to the brain - it's very alarming.'
The 31-year-old started experiencing excruciating headaches and she was feeling unwell with what she thought was a sinus infection
On Saturday, Kristen was airlifted to a hospital in Singapore where she remains in ICU for further treatment under the care of a renowned brain surgeon
Family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money in a desperate effort to fly her home, with more $150,000 already raised.
'For any person facing a serious diagnosis, being in Bali is not a place to tackle this,' Sarah told Daily Mail Australia.
'Our goal now is to get Kristen home. She's been on bed rest but we're hopeful that she will fly home in the next few days. We're raising as much money as we can and once she arrives in the States, she will be faced with huge medical costs.
'Kristen is relieved that doctors detected the tumours early but she's super anxious to get home to get really stuck into this situation.
'It's been a whirlwind but once she hits home soil, she'll start to deal with it and then come to terms with it - and we'll all be there to support her.
'She truly is a one of a kind.'
Sarah explained that safest option to get her friend back to the US is via a medivac or air ambulance due to the medical staff on-board and lower flying altitude - but that will set her back $170,000.
'After consultation with specialists around the world - the safest immediate plan is to get Kristen home and with a sense of urgency,' she said.
Sarah - who has known Kristen for four years - explained that the only option to get her friend back to the US safely is via a medivac or air ambulance
Now Kristen has been faced with hefty medical bills and a costly flight home because her travel insurance won't cover her expenses due to her medical history
'Unfortunately the large tumour on the right side of Kristen's brain is impeding this, and we have been offered advice that Kristin in unable to fly on a commercial airline to the States and will need to be sent via a medivac or air ambulance.
'Kristen is going to give this one a hell of a fight for her life, removing the large tumour and commencing what likely will be an intense and invasive treatment plan - we just need to get her from a to b for that to happen.
'Any donated funds will go directly to Kristen's immediate journey home to the States, and ongoing medical costs.
'Due to the pressure this tumour is placing on her brain, the risks of flying on a commercial flight are potentially fatal.
'The response from around the globe has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you all enough. We do need more support - and we are asking for all of your assistance.
'Every penny is needed - help us continue this miracle operation and make the seemingly impossible happen. We're seeking any donation big or small. Please help us get our girl home.'
To make a donation, please visit the GoFundMe page.
hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/28/kristen-dineen-31-desperate-to-return-home-after-shock-brain-tumour-diagnosis/
Main photo article A 31-year-old American woman living in Bali has been left fighting for her life in hospital following a shock brain tumour diagnosis.
Kristen Dineen – who moved from California to Indonesia on a working visa five years ago – started experiencing excruciating headaches and she was...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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