As some of you may or may not know on Christmas Eve last year my fiancé, John, was diagnosed with a brain tumour following two seizures. Part of the problem with a brain tumour diagnosis is that the Doctors couldn’t actually tell us what type of tumour he had until they actually had done some form of surgery. So on Christmas Eve 2021 my future husband was sent home from the RVI A&E being told he had a brain tumour and nothing more other than we’d be contacted in a few weeks by the neurologist. If anyone knows me well you’ll know I went into 100% panic mode, from me and my sister saying it was the Moore sisters year to my world crashing down around me. John and I had recently gotten engaged, bought our house and we were waiting for the keys and booked our dream wedding and all of a sudden our future was so unsure. John was brave and worried about everyone else, I was crying every day and wondering how we would go on.

On the 24th of January 2022 we got the keys to our first home together and such a happy day was clouded by such dread as on the 26th of January 2022 John had brain surgery to remove as much of the tumour as they could. We were warned of all the worse things that could happen such as him losing his memory, having to learn how to walk and talk again, stroke or the worst death. Now let me tell you the 26th of January was the worst and longest day of my life. After clock watching all day and calling the ward 3 times I finally heard from John himself. He was totally fine and remembered me! His surgery had gone well and we later found out the amazing Doctors managed to remove 80% of the tumour. But the worst wait was yet to come…..

Due to a mix up in John’s records the Doctors were under the impression this was a fast growing tumour and due to its position it could have potentially been one of the most deadliest cancers. With all this in mind, caring for John who was recovering from one of the riskiest surgeries and trying to move into our new house this was again a very anxious time for our families. After 2 weeks we were called in for an appointment with the Doctor who performed Johns surgery. I will never forget sitting in that waiting room listening to John chatting about Jack ass and not hearing a word, this anxiety was finally going to get better or my whole world was about to crumble. We found out Johns tumour was an Astrocytoma Grade 2. This tumour is not fast growing or cancerous but it can come back following surgery and it can come back as a glioblastoma which is one of the worst cancers and also what took Tom Parker’s (from the wanted) life earlier this year. 

Because of this John was referred over to a oncologist at the Freeman hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. Johns oncologist was the first Doctor in this whole situation that finally gave us hope. She assured us that they were always going to look after John and do everything they can for him. It was decided that John would undergo 6 weeks of radio therapy to help kill and shrink the precancerous cells then go through chemo therapy. John absolutely smashed his radiotherapy, other than a bit of hair loss and tiredness he was good. He’s recently just started his chemotherapy and this isn’t as good. The tablets are making John feel extremely unwell but it’s all for the future.

The reason I’m telling you all this is because this October, in honour of Johns birthday month, I will be walking 10,000 steps a day to raise money for the brain tumour charity. The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. They’re committed to saving and improving lives. They’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. At least 88,000 children and adults are currently estimated to be living with a brain tumour in the UK. And the impact can be devastating. Just 12% of adults survive for five years after diagnosis and brain tumours reduce life expectancy by an average of 27 years – the highest of any cancer. Despite this, treatments haven’t changed in 40 years and research into brain tumours is still woefully underfunded. In fact, just 3% of the money spent each year on cancer research in the UK is spent on brain tumours.

I want to raise £500 as this will help pay for 2 days of research into treatments to help prolong life, help look for a cure and keep John with me until we’re little old people.