This is Rachael’s story...

November 2016 I gave birth to my first child, Harry. When he turned 4 months old I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a benign brain
tumour.

Being a new mum is hard, but being a new mum and having to deal with the fear of having a brain tumour is ........

The tumour was 3 cm so the decision was made to remove it. So when Harry was 7 months old I went to the national hospital for Neurology  and neuroscience and underwent an 8 hour operation.

The team managed to remove 85% of the tumour but as it was growing off my hearing nerve I have lost complete hearing in my left ear.

In November 2017 I had radiotherapy to shrink the remaining tumour and am now waiting to have my post treatment consultation.

I never thought this would happen to me but I believe challenges come at times in your life for a reason.

I was positive the whole time and there is one reason for that, Harry. I had to get better for him and that gave me all the strength I needed.