My name is Danielle Howard. I am 39, a single mum of a 10 year old daughter, Eliza and I have a Glioblastoma (grade 4 cancer) which at the moment is incurable. It is aggressive when it does grow. I recently had news the chemo had stopped working so have been given a more toxic chemo which seems to be working at the moment and is giving me more time with my family. I really appreciate this extra time.

Background:

In April 2023 I started to have symptoms I initially thought were panic attacks, and was misdiagnosed with anxiety. I couldn’t concentrate properly or find my words. I have since been told this was Aphasia related to the tumour in my left frontal lobe.  Eventually I went to A&E with weakness down my right side  and they dismissed me again saying I needed to take antidepressants. This went on from April to 15th June 2023 when I paid privately for an MRI. My symptoms by this time were significant and I had had to stop work. When I got the results I was told by my GP it was a “Cyst that has been slow growing but has now got large enough that it could account for my symptoms - non-cancerous growth. Referred to St George’s hospital.” The size of the cyst was so big it had shifted the midline of my brain. Finally I was diagnosed with a brain tumour alongside the cyst.

I had surgery on 29th June 2023 to debulk the tumour and remove the majority. On 14th August molecular testing confirmed I had a glioblastoma grade 4 – the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. So, in September 2023 I embarked on a gruelling regime of 6 weeks of radiotherapy and chemo pills and then 6 months of just the chemo pills.  Since April  2024 I have been chemo free. I returned to work end of November 2023. There were certain aspects of my job that I initially struggled with but I think overall I have done well to come back in the same role. I was able to return to work for over a year!

On 28th February 2025 it was confirmed my tumour had started regrowing.  I had a further surgery scheduled for 8th April 2025. When I woke up from the surgery I was paralysed down my right side despite neural monitoring being done throughout . On Saturday (5 days later) I was worried I was going to be paralysed forever. I was starting to feel numb which I had not experienced before.

On Sunday evening I moved my right thumb for the first time and 24 hours after I could lift my hand and arm above my head. I have had a battle to regain my independence.

I have had to learn to walk again and have to wear a brace for foot drop in my trainer.

On 30/01/2026 they confirmed the tumour had grown again. I had managed to return to work mid-November and was putting headphones on patients in January and since then my deterioration has been quick. Every day presents a new challenge. In March 2026 I was hospitalised for 5 days with a diagnosis was chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia which is basically the presence of a fever which is the most common life-threatening complication of cancer treatment. This is typical of the new chemo they have put me on but it is this or the alternative!

This is the first time I have really feared for my life. I was on high doses of antibiotics but at the same time I feel grateful for this time to plan for my family and spend quality (over quantity) time with my daughter, Eliza.

I am so grateful for all your supportive messages 🙏 they help a lot 😍

Main aims: this money will only be left for my daughter, Eliza.

I love being an Audiology Team Lead at Frimley Park Hospital - it is one of my proudest achievements (apart from being Eliza’s mum). I am unfortunately in a position where I think that I will not be able to go back to work. I want to spend the time I have left close to my daughter. Making memories and doing bucket list achievements.

Obviously, I keep hoping as time goes on for a cure for Glioblastoma but at the moment there is not one.

This is why I am asking for your donations. 

Thank you.

Danielle and Eliza