My name is Joanne Morgan . I ’ m a 45 year old mum of 3 , wife , TV make-up artist and business owner living in Buckinghamshire .
I was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma on the 28th November 2017 following an ophthalmologist appointment . I had a strange flickering / wobble and flashing in my peripheral vision . My vision had been deteriorating for a few months so in early October I went to see my regular optician where I was prescribed new glasses .
Towards the end of October I was aware of even more visual disturbances . I followed my instincts , I knew something wasn ’ t right . The diagnosis I received was definitely not the one I expected , but I always knew I was one in a million !
My eye surgeon , Professor Sagoo , put me in touch with OcuMel UK through whom I have met the most amazing people . Jo Gumbs , the founder , gives so much of her life to personally supporting the patients and families of those suffering with this disease , putting us in touch with others who are in the same situation . There is no support from the usual sources as OM is so rare it requires specialist care from only those in the know .
I ’ ve been scanned and injected with loads of medical cocktails and had a radioactive plaque stitched to the back of my eye at Moorfields Hospital for a week before Christmas . I ’ m still experiencing double vision and muscle pain following my recent surgery and hope that my sight will restore in time . The outlook is positive as , thanks to my medical oncologist Dr . Tim Crook , I will be regularly scanned to observe any metastasis ( secondary tumours ) that may grow , most commonly on the liver .
OcuMel UK desperately need specialist nurses to help with the shock , medical questions , readjustments to normality , emotional support and guidance in the months and years following diagnosis .
I must emphasize how rare this disease it . Only 450-600 people are diagnosed a year in the UK .
Your eyes are SO important . They can show signs of many medical problems including blood pressure , glaucoma , cataracts and diabetes . Regular eye tests are a must and children should also be checked . The medical recommendation is every 18-24 months UNLESS you notice anything unusual , then go straight away . IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE .
Follow my journey here https :// joanne899 . wixsite . com / website or you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @ make _ up4TV .
For further information on Ocular Melanoma , or to speak to someone about this condition , please visit https :// www . ocumeluk . org /. Facebook , Twitter and Instagram : @ OcuMelUK
OcuMel UK are planning a fundraising Gala Dinner which will be held in June . If you would like to become involved in any of their fundraising events , or their organisation , or feel you can provide them with any help , please contact OcuMel UK on 0300 790 0512 or email info @ ocumeluk . org .
DONATE by TEXT to 70070 - OMUK20 followed by a space and the amount you wish to donate . https :// uk . virginmoneygiving . com / JoanneMorgan72-OcuMelUK
Finally , here is a link to Good Morning Britain when I appeared on the show in January : https :// youtu . be / y9sS254DJS4
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