At the end of April, Sarah, Mel and Charlotte are taking on a challenge to walk 2 marathons in 2 days along the hilly Devonshire south coastal path. Below is Sarah’s story and why we are doing it…

After I had our son George and we had been sleeping through the night for nearly 6 months, the ‘brain fog’ didn’t seem to lift, so I was referred for a brain scan. Sitting opposite the consultant a week later, I was told that I had a golf-ball sized tumour in my left frontal lobe. I had also just found out that I was pregnant with Gracie (now 6) and I had a 9 month old baby.

The good news was that they strongly suspected that it was benign and I had options. I have the most amazing consultant (apart from being a Liverpool supporter), who suggested that we watch and wait until the children grew up a wee bit and had become a bit more independent before I had an op to remove it. So, we all got on with our lives...then COVID happened and my 6-monthly scans were cancelled.

Then, in April 2021, I started to notice that my concentration levels were a bit rubbish and that I had difficulty finding words. My nursing studies started to become affected - I was getting a First in my practical examinations but barely scraping by in my written essays as my ’thoughts were disorganised’. My consultant called me in for a scan and it wasn’t good news. I had a significant swelling on my brain caused by the tumour, which was pushing the left side of my brain onto my right. Suddenly, the situation had become more critical and it was no longer a decision within my control. I was admitted for a craniotomy to remove the tumour and put into an induced coma for a week to recover.

I returned home after recuperating for a couple more weeks in hospital and had been told that recovery would be slow and a challenge but I did not expect what was to come. I had to physically crawl up the stairs on my hands and knees and I couldn't even walk to our front gate. I know that some gorgeous friends and family came to visit, but I am afraid that I had no recollection - it was all a bit of a blur. A week later, I was readmitted with a bleed to the brain and I underwent my second craniotomy within a month. This time I was acutely aware of the risks and I was absolutely petrified.

Upon waking from the op I was on the Acute ward surrounded by women of all ages, who were undergoing serious treatment for neurological conditions and some would sadly never walk out of the hospital. I was determined to get home for good this time and dutifully did my laps of the ward every waking hour, not realising that I was already starting to do my training for bigger things to come…

Three months later, I look pretty normal again (apart from steroid weight gain and a really dodgy hairdo!!) but cognitively I have a few challenges ahead to get back to my ‘new’ normal self, including dealing with post-trauma anxiety and extreme fatigue.

This is when I discovered Brains Trust - a charitable organisation who could help people like me and my family. They provide much needed support and advice for people with Brain Cancer (benign or otherwise) and as I consider myself one of the lucky ones, I thought that I would raise money to help support other families through their own challenging journeys. So, two amazingly supportive friends (Mel Howarth - Oratory Prep mum - and Charlotte Pudney - St.Mary’s mum) and I are walking 2 marathons in 2 days at the end of April along the hilly Devonshire coast - we love a challenge!!! #Follow the Seagulls.

BrainsTrust provide specialist expert-led webinars, brain boxes - full of useful information, peer-led support groups and they support people-first tumour research. You have the opportunity to help 60,000 people and their families in the UK who are feeling afraid and alone after a brain tumour diagnosis. We would really appreciate your generous support.

Thank you.

…and if you fancy a challenge yourself - Run, Row or Ride 30 miles in 30 days in November to raise even more funds for this amazing organisation. #teambrainstrust (Email: fundraising@brainstrust.org.uk for more information)

Thank you!

Sarah, Mel & Charlotte