Reports and video

the tamsin colley website

REPORTS / VIDEO

This page contains files of various reports on Tamsin and other files we think might be useful for people learning about the effects of brain tumours in childen.

Many of the reports are in pdf format. Many web browsers enable you to read (and save) these files from within your browser window. Alternatively you will need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar software on your computer to view the file. This comes installed on most computers. It can also be obtained from www.adobe.com

Radiologist's report on MRI scan, 6 June 2008

This scan is 2 years since the last one. It shows no change in anything. The good news is that it shows no sign of any tumour. (PDF file, 60 KB)

Speech therapist's report, 13 February 2008

Tamsin's speech is showing substantial improvement, but she still has trouble with certain sounds, and with appropriate stress on the correct words in sentences. A person listening to an audio tape of Tamsin in conversation is able to understand 87% of what she says. (PDF file, 164 KB)

Tamsin running on beach, January 2008

This short clip was shot with the movie feature of our digital still camera, so it's fairly basic footage. But it does show how Tamsin's mobility has improved remarkably. She can't run well, but she can run! We're not sure that this definitely shows running - which is defined as going forward at a speed that requires both feet being being off the ground at the same time, but she does run. (wmv file, 1 MB)

Cure for Life Foundation Gala Ball video clip August 2007

Tamsin was again one of the people featured in the short promotional video made for the annual Gala Ball of the Cure for Life Foundation founded by Dr Charlie Teo, her surgeon. Short clips of Tamsin can be seen at three points: 5mins 35 secs, 6 mins 55 secs and 10 mins 20 secs. The clip is in wmv or Windows Media Player format. Apple Mac users can view the clip provided they have the free Flip4Mac plug-in for their built-in Quicktime software. (wmv file, 8.7 MB)

Neuropsychologist's report, 25 May 2007

Tamsin has improved, but still has both fine and gross motor skills difficulties. On the plus side, she appears to have average to high average general intellectual functioning. (PDF file, 136 KB)

Speech therapist's report, 23 March 2007

Tamsin's speech has improved considerably, but she is still moderately hard to understand in conversational speech. (PDF file, 108 KB)

Physiotherapist's report, March 2007

This report was prepared as part of activity around Tamsin going to school in 2008. The report says she is quite capable of independent movement around the classroom, but may need assistance to cover distances outdoor. She will definitely need assistance for most sporting activity. (PDF file, 64 KB)

Occupational therapist's report, 2 December 2006

Tamsin's fine motor skills remain poor and result in her being assessed as mildly impaired for her age. No decision as to whether she should be trained as right or left-handed. She may well be unable to write at school due to the impairment, and we should give consideration to early adoption of a computer keyboard for written expression in the classroom. PDF file, 264 KB

Paediatrician's report, 13 March 2006

Tamsin was assessed by Dr Shan Ong, the developmental paediatrician who first decided something was wrong with Tamsin and ordered the CT scan which revealed the brain tumour.
This report provides a summary of Tamsin's progress, and says she is doing well in most developmental areas for her age. But of course, with the exception of motor skills and speaking. PDF file, 120 KB

Feeding / swallowing report, 2 March 2006

We have been concerned that Tamsin appears to have some difficulty with certain ways of drinking and that this may be a cause of coughing, or fluid getting into the lungs. This report by a speech pathologist says there is a minor problem and recommends rules that Tamsin should follow for drinking. PDF file, 32KB

Occupational therapist's report 26 November 2005

The previous OT assessment described Tamsin's fine motor skills as below average. Despite some progress, they are now assessed as mildly impaired. This is because other kids are developing more rapidly, so a bigger gap is opening up between Tamsin and other kids her age. It remains unclear whether she will be right or left-handed. She is slighly more impaired on the right, so she may need to become left-handed. PDF file, 72 KB

Speech therapist's report 25 November 2005

Tamsin is speaking short sentences now, and a naive listener can understand 25% of what she says. Her family is able to understand 60-80%. PDF file, 52 KB

Physiotherapist's report 21 November 2005

Significant progress is described. Tamsin - age 3 yrs 2 months - is now able to walk as her preferred method of movement around a room. PDF file, 60 KB

Physiotherapist's report 26 August 2005

This report says that Tamsin is making progress but that there are some worrying signs. PDF file, 56 KB

Speech therapist's report 22 August 2005

This report say that Tamsin is working hard to improve her speech but there is little sign of the spontaneous improvement that is hoped for. PDF file, 36 KB

Occupational Therapist's report 30 July 2005

This report shows some disquiet about Tamsin's rate of progress. PDF file, 68 KB

Physiotherapist's report 19 July 2005

This report confirms recent significant progress in Tamsin's mobility - she is walking independently for short distances and there are other improvements on a number of fronts. PDf file, 32 KB

Tamsin walking, 10 July 2005

This 1 minute clip shows Tamsin taking some of her first independent steps at the age of 2 years, 10 months. It made us immensely happy that there is real progress occurring in Tamsin's rehabilitation.

The clip is available in two formats. The Apple Quicktime (.mov) version is 1.8 MB and is available here. The Windows Media Player (.wmv) version is 2.1 MB and is available here.

Cure For Life video clip May 2005

This 6 minute video clip features Tamsin and the family. It was produced for the 2005 fundraising ball for the Cure for Life Foundation. The Foundation was established by Dr Charlie Teo, the neurosurgeon who operated on Tamsin. Tamsin is the 2nd star of the clip.

The clip is available in two formats. Both are large files and downloading them on anything other than a broadband connection will be lengthy. The Apple Quicktime (.mov) version is 9.1 MB and is available here. The Windows Media Player (.wmv) version is 15.8 MB and is available here.

Occupational Therapist's assessment 21 May 2005

This reports describes the various functional problems that Tamsin has in doing day-to-day things. It prescribes activities to help fix the problems. PDF file, 96 KB

Neuropsychologist's assessment 6 May 2005

This assessment uses a specific methodology - the Griffith's Mental Development Scales - to determine Tamsin's development in various areas relative to the benchmarks for her age. The assessment says that her development is BETTER than the benchmark in many areas, but in gross motor skills (eg walking) and articulation (clarity of speech) she is not so good. This assessment can be redone at later ages to see if Tamsin is catching up. PDF file, 136 KB

Consultation with Dr Charlie Teo - chief neurosurgeon - 5 April 2005

This consultation was arranged in response to the 2nd opinion sought from Dr Michael Besser. Dr Teo said it was possible that the MRI scans indicated a problem, but Tamsin herself was progressing in the normal range, if somewhat slowly. Dr Teo's preference was NOT to operate, but to bring forward the next scheduled MRI scan to July 2005, rather than January 2006. PDF file, 32 KB

2nd opinion - Dr Michael Besser - neurosurgeon - 23 March 2005

Because of lingering concerns that there might be a build-up of pressure inside Tamsin's skull due to some fluid not draining from the back of the skull, we sought a second opinion from Dr Michael Besser, the top neurosurgeon at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. On reviewing the MRI scans and Tamsin, his view was that Tamsin was doing OK but there might be a build-up in pressure warranting attention. PDf file, 24 KB

Opthamologist's report 16 February 2005

See earlier opthamologist's report. The delay in surgery to correct the eye problem is due to the opthamologist not wanting to operate when when there may be further neurosurgery. PDF file, 40 KB

Consultation with Dr Charlie Teo - chief neurosurgeon - 1 February 2005

Dr Charlie Teo is a phenomenal surgeon. Tamsin was fortunate to be simply assigned to him as a public patient. Many people travel from across Australia and other countries to use his expertise and pay huge sums to do so. He operates on many children and adults that other surgeons consider inoperable. Tamsin's case was relatively straightforward for Dr Teo, while for us it gave us our daughter back. But neurosurgery is a rapidly evolving science and there are no miracle cures. As of 21 June 2005 we are still uncertain whether further surgery will be necessary. This file documents a series of questions and answers from a consultation. PDF file, 48 KB

Physiotherapist's report 28 January 2005

This assessment by a physiotherapist (that's physical therapist in North American) describes Tamsin's physical abilities and in particular notes the ataxia problems (balance, coordination). PDF file, 36 KB

Speech pathology report 18 January 2005

This assessment provides a very detailed description of the speaking problems that Tamsin has, and how the therapist is addressing them. It is quite illuminating to understand how even the simplest words involve quite detailed muscle coordination. If that does not come naturally due to brain damage, then a lot of work is required to master these basics. PDF file, 76 KB

Opthamologist's report 6 December 2004

One of Tamsin's eyes - the right - has a tendency to go out of position especially when looking to the left. This is a common outcome of the removal of this type of brain tumour. It is caused by a particular muscule having been weakened in its activity by the surgery. The corrective procedure is to weaken the muscle on the other side of the eye by partially cutting it. (!!) If it is not corrected it may become worse and result in distorted vision. As of 21 June Tamsin has not had the surgery but we are heading that way. PDF file, 28 KB