Eliza, my wife, had a brain tumour which haemorrhaged on 13th February 2008. The tumour was a Cavernoma, a random cluster of blood vessels, which anyone could have, anywhere in their body. Hers bled in her brain and resulted in her having a stroke and subsequent seizures. Her life has not been the same since, and despite having brain surgery to remove the tumour on 5th June 2008 she still lives in constant pain, with chronic headaches, surgery scar pain, dizziness and fatigue.

The word headache significantly underplays this pain. It normalises and  belittles the reality which can cause Eliza to be unable to be in rooms with any light on or sound. It feels like her head is in a vice being squeezed and pushed and is indescriminate as to whether this happens on her birthday, seeing friends she has already tried to re-arrange or when having her first snuggle with her babies. The sad truth is it is always there - just varied in how hard it is squeezing, at all times over the last 12 years.

Over the last 12 years I have witnessed how Eliza has overcome this with kindness, courage and positivity. Although behind closed doors she struggles - especially as she has an invisible illness and us Brits never actually mean or want to hear the true answer to 'How are you doing?'.

Over the last 12 years with alcohol I have willingly given myself headaches, pain and fatigue and at times to the cost of Eliza who has no choice in how she feels.  This is why I am giving up alcohol until the anniversary of her brain surgery - to better help me keep a clear head and raise awareness of a little known and understood acute medical condition.

Cavernoma Alliance UK aims to raise awareness and identify the cause of these malformations. The random cluster of blood vessels that look like a raspberry could form anywhere in your body and would likely cause you no issues. Anyone reading this could have one but it is only of concern if it is in your brain or spinal cord...even then it only is an issue if something happens - like bleeding in to your brain or pressing on your spinal cord. Please read/find out more at https://www.cavernoma.org.uk/

Please help me raise the equivalent of £12 a day from the start of the year until the 5th June (157 days) to make more people aware of the illness and be aware that you cant always see someones illness, but that doesnt mean it isnt very real.

P.s. For those that dont know her thats Eliza on the flyer in the picture!!!