When I was four the doctors said I had a rare brain tumour. I called it Bob the blob. I felt sick, poorly and had very bad headaches. This was 2020, the start of the pandemic. I had lots of significant operations that year with one major operation during the summer holidays. I spent three weeks in hospital after the major operation and I was in hospital on my fifth birthday. I couldn’t see lots of my family and friends at this time as only my mummy or daddy could be on the ward at one time. Even my little sister, Emily, wasn’t allowed to visit me! I remember being connected to lots of tubes and wires and I didn’t get much sleep because the nurses and doctors were constantly pricking me with needles. I was sore, tired and felt scared.

After I came out of hospital, I felt tired, my brain felt muddled, and I felt quite overwhelmed about returning to school. However, my return to school was helped by my teacher (Mrs Philp) who was very kind to me and my good friends (Belle and Elodie) who both looked after me.

Later that year I had to go to Manchester with my mummy for six weeks for further treatment (radiotherapy). The nurses made me a special mask that I decorated. I had to wear this mask every time I had treatment and I had to stay very still for a long time. Mummy said I was very brave because I was the first five-year old to have this treatment without being put to sleep. No-one was allowed in the room with me when I was having treatment, but the nurses were able to speak to me- they were very kind. My bunnies kept me calm during the treatment and I used to listen to Moana and Frozen. After treatment each day I played games with my mummy and the friends that I had made, who were also having treatment. My daddy and my sister came to visit every weekend. At the end of the treatment, I rang the bell and was happy to go home to see all my friends and my family.

My journey didn’t end there, I had to start taking lots of medication and an injection every day because part of my brain is no longer working (the pituitary gland). I sometimes feel extra tired, some of the medication has caused headaches and I have to be extra healthy because of some of the medication I take. My mummy and daddy have to carry an emergency steroid injection pack with them as I could become quite poorly if I had a serious accident. I still have to have regular MRI scans and go to lots of hospital appointments. Last year I had to have a further major operation to remove some more of Bob and I hope this is my last.

The Success Charity was set up by my endocrinologist (Dr Spoudeas) to help children like me and those that have had worst outcomes, including blindness, loss of hearing, mobility issues and learning difficulties, get the best quality of life following treatment. Lots of children now survive brain tumours. However, that is not the end of the road for these children. Many of them face lots of lifelong challenges. Success Charity exists to advocate for these children and to ensure they have the rehabilitative care and support they need and deserve.

I am doing a triathlon in Henley on 22 July to raise money for this Charity. Thank you in advance for everyone’s support.