Life with a Brain Tumour
I was diagnosed with a high-grade aggressive brain tumour. For me, being diagnosed changed my life. I'm now doing everything I can to inspire others, highlight cancer in any way I can, and bring brain tumours to the conversation.
My Story
In September 2022, I learned that I had a high-grade brain tumour that is terminal cancer and, regrettably, incurable.
I have undergone surgery, a cycle of radiotherapy and chemotherapy happening at the moment with more surgery on the cards. However, I want to stress that I remain happy, optimistic, and positive.
People who have a brain tumour typically lack confidence since their prognosis is poor. I try to dispel this and give it my all. My ambitions are to raise awareness of brain tumours, increase the data that is available because it is currently insufficient, and help contribute to a social shift that makes people more aware of brain tumours. Albeit my diagnosis being poor, I don't want to let cancer define me, and I will try my utmost to battle it and be like the old me as possible.
I had no one to turn to during the early stages of my diagnosis because I didn't know anybody of my age going through it. I wish to alter this. I want others who are struggling to understand that they don't have to experience this alone or endure suffering. I want to give every patient my all, whether they want to confide in me, ask me any questions, or simply understand that someone else recognises what they're going through.
For children and adults under 40, brain tumours are the leading cause of death from cancer. The highest of any cancer, brain tumours reduce life expectancy by an average of 27 years, and only 12% of adults continue to live five years after being diagnosed.
Running enables me to concentrate solely on the road, and for a short while, I am able to forget about my diagnosis. It feels like a weight has been lifted. Running provides me with the best chance of longevity. I hope that all the running I do helps not just myself but also everyone around me, inspiring them to participate and making them fitter in the process.
Cancer changes your sense of self and what you can achieve. Life is thrown into disarray. I made an effort to see it, and I still do, as an opportunity to do good and change a challenging situation. It's simple to feel burdened, yet that accomplishes nothing.
I've had the opportunity to consider what matters to me, who matters to me, and what I hope to accomplish in the years that remain for me after receiving my diagnosis. You can do a lot more by putting aside time to help others, and I hope I can do what I can for them.
