In July 2025, our lives changed in a way we never could have imagined. On what should have been a normal Friday morning, as we were getting ready for the day, I suddenly lost the ability to speak. I could understand everything around me, but I could only produce sounds in response.
An MRI scan revealed a mass on my brain. What followed was an agonising wait as doctors worked through possible diagnoses. Then came the words no one is ever prepared to hear: brain tumour… cancer.
Within two weeks, I underwent life extending surgery with the incredible team at St George’s. I am so fortunate that they were able to remove the majority of the tumour. Sadly, this was followed by the devastating confirmation that I have an aggressive and incurable brain cancer: a Grade 4 astrocytoma.
Since surgery, I have been undergoing intensive treatment. I have completed 33 sessions of radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy, and I am now working my way through 12 cycles of further chemotherapy, supported by the incredible team at the Royal Marsden.
The tumour is located in my language centre. For me, this means living with expressive aphasia, I understand others, but sometimes struggle to find the words or sounds I want to say. After ten years working as a speech and language therapist, I am now experiencing first hand the courage, frustration and resilience it takes to communicate.
Since surgery, I have been undergoing intensive treatment. I have completed 33 sessions of radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy, and I am now working my way through 12 cycles of further chemotherapy, supported by the incredible team at the Royal Marsden.
The tumour is located in my language centre. For me, this means living with expressive aphasia, I understand others, but sometimes struggle to find the words or sounds I want to say. After ten years working as a speech and language therapist, I am now experiencing first hand the courage, frustration and resilience it takes to communicate.
Throughout all of this, we have been carried by the most incredible support from our family and friends, and by Lila, our shining light. Her laughter and wonder for the world remind us every day what truly matters.
Before my diagnosis, I had no idea that brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adults under 40. I also didn’t realise that many people, like me, are diagnosed in emergency settings following a sudden escalation of symptoms. For years, I experienced unexplained persistent fatigue, headaches and brain fog symptoms that were easily attributable to other more common conditions. Like many people, I didn’t realise they could be signs of something far more serious.
What has shocked me most is that, despite the lives lost to this cruel disease, brain cancer receives only a small share of government cancer research funding and treatments have changed very little in over 40 years.
I am standing alongside others affected by brain tumours and supporting The Brain Tumour Charity, who work tirelessly to raise awareness, fund vital research, provide life changing support, and campaign at government level to accelerate breakthroughs.
If you are able to support in any way, through donations, sharing my story, or raising awareness, it truly makes a difference.
