People like me don't get brain tumours. We worry that something might be wrong when we're sent for tests, but bad news happens to other people.  So in April 2016 when I was sent for an MRI to investigate headaches, I knew the results would be the same as they had been for previous scans - nothing of concern. But this time, I was the other person, the one getting the awful diagnosis that I had a 4cm brain tumour, and I would need to undergo a craniotomy to remove it.

The next two months went past in a blur; hospital appointments, telling people my 'news', getting my operation date, visits for pre-op and then the big day. After signing the scariest document of my life, I was taken down to be operated on by a real life hero, Mr Paraskevopoulos, who after almost 12 hours managed to remove almost all of the lump.  Gamma-knife surgery followed 9 months later, and when I go back for my results in April I'm sure it will be good news.

So why am I raising money for Brainstrust?  They don't train surgeons or pay for the vast amount of staff and equipment needed to care for patients with brain tumours.  True, but Brainstrust were there for me in those first few hours when I sat alone at home, wondering what the hell had just happened, wondering how I was going to tell people, wondering if I would die, wondering 'why me?' They were calm, informed, and they listened to my ramblings for what seemed like hours before offering me comfort, and invaluable practical advice to help get me through the following weeks.  The consultants and surgeons saved my life, but I could not have held it together without the help of the people at Brainstrust.

I hope that you are never in my shoes, or have a relative or friend who is, but if you are, just know that Brainstrust will be there for you, as they were for me and thousands of others.  Like all charities, they need funding to enable them to keep doing their amazing work, and so on 14th and 15th April, I will join a small group of other supporters in a 50 mile walk around the coast and moors of North Yorkshire, where we each hope to raise at least £500 to support this wonderful charity.

Thank you for reading my story. If you can spare anything to help raise desperately needed funds, you will be doing a wonderful thing for anyone whose life has been touched by a brain tumour diagnosis.  Although they will not get to thank you personally, you can be sure of their gratitude for helping them at such a desperately awful time.

Debbie xx

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.