Hey! 

Now I know most of you probably know who I am... I'm Miles, mostly known to you guys as MeelayyB. Every year, I try my best to do a little bit for charity, whether that's via streaming FIFA for 24 hours, or taking part in a fun run or something! However, this year its a bit different, and its something MUCH closer to my heart. 

In February 2018, I started getting headaches whilst live-streaming. At first, I thought they were just migraines or something (the doctors thought this too) but after several trips to the doctors/hospital, they sent me away again with paracetamol and the instructions to 'take two every 4 hours'. 

Eventually, the pain got unbearable. I HAD to do something. Luckily, my girlfriend at the time (now fiancee) persisted with getting my checked out, and booked me in for an eye test. This eye test then discovered that I had high eye pressure, behind my eyes. At this point, I couldn't even lift my head, I was in complete agony! Every time I would lift my head up straight, I would eventually end up being sick. Not good! 

After weeks of running about everywhere between the doctors, opticians and the hospital, they finally booked me in for a CT Scan. The results came back, and I was informed that I had a growth on my Brain. The initial moment when I found out what quite weird actually. I didn't know what to do, look at, whether I should cry or just stay silent. I was in complete shock. Not long after that, I was instantly transferred to Queen Elizabeth hospital, with the idea of the neurosurgeons down there planning on operating on me overnight. However, this was later cancelled because of my CML medication (That's a whole other story!) 

Queen Elizabeth hospital care was nothing short of AMAZING. It was the first time I was here as a patient, and although I didn't really want to be there, the care and doctors/nurses they had in place were amazing. 

Later that week, Mr Kay (Neurosurgeon) gave me 3 options on what I wanted to do. He diagnosed me with a central neurocytoma, which was incredibly vascular and sitting in the third ventricle of my brain (probably the most awkward spot possible!) and also blocking the flow of liquid down my spine (hence the incredibly bad headaches) . Option 1 : Have the tumour surgically removed. Option 2 : Have a 'shunt' put in to help the liquid pass the tumour and continue function as normal. Option 3: Don't do anything. 

Now, of course, was there really a choice? In my eyes, no. It had to be option 1. I can't really put it into words how scared I was. The list of possible side effects were huge, but option one was the only REAL option, without having further problems down the line. So it had to be done. I was scheduled to have my operation in 2 weeks time, so I managed to go home and rest for a little while on steroids before going back in for my operation. 

Operation day soon arrived (as I'm sure you can imagine) and at 9:30AM, I went down to theatre with the hope of coming back out the other side as least damaged as possible. My girlfriend, dad, step dad and mum were all there too, waiting in the hospital to find out the results of my operation. 

After 9 and a half hours, it was complete. I was in critical care and as I opened my eyes, I saw my girlfriend, mum, and dad standing there. I did it. 

Obviously, it took me a few more weeks to recover. They added a drain into my head to help clear the fluids running around my brain (I had quite a bad blood clot still in the area where they operated, so this helped clear it). However, it was done! I somehow survived a 9 hour brain operation... I still can't believe it now. In terms of side effects, I don't really have any! I sometimes stumble on my speech, and forget the odd thing (short term) but its honestly unbelievable how lucky I am. 

Mr Kay completed a successful majority removal of my tumour, and I go back down to Queen Elizabeth every 3 months, just to make sure nothing is growing back... but so far so good! In fact, the most recent scan I had done (December 2018) is INCREDIBLY CLEAR! 

Now, I understand there's sooooo many people who weren't, or won't be as lucky as me, hence why I've chosen BrainTumourResearch as the charity I'm raising funds for this year. Brain tumours only receive 1% of the funds needed to expand its research. Did you also know: 

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

If we can help stop this, lets do it together. The goal I've set is only for £1500, but I reckon we can easily smash it! 

Love you all, and lets hope for a successful stream! 

Miles (MeelayyB) x