A Tayside mum who was warned she might never walk again following emergency brain surgery hours after the birth of her daughter is in training for a 2k personal marathon.
Ashlie Lamb was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 39 weeks pregnant and had her daughter by Caesarean section the same day.
Six days later, the 28-year-old was back in the operating theatre for surgery to remove the tumour, a procedure that left her on life support for weeks.
Her family feared she might be wheelchair-bound but Ashlie has defied all the odds and on November 10 she will attempt a 400-metre sponsored walk to say thank you to the athletics club that helped her get back on her feet.
Husband Daniel Lamb said his wife was an “inspiration”. “She is a very positive person and that is one of the things that has carried her through,” he said.
Ashlie, from Redgorton, was taken into hospital on March 8 last year after suffering from double vision and vomiting towards the end of her pregnancy.
She was given an MRI scan at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, which revealed the tumour.
By then it was so large that it was threatening her own life and that of her unborn child and medics broke the news to Ashlie and Daniel that she would have to have the baby straight away.
Amelie was delivered safely by Caesarean section at 7pm that evening.
The young family had only a few days together before Ashlie was back in surgery, this time on her brain.
The tumour was removed in a lengthy and complicated procedure but even then Ashlie was not out of the woods.
She spent two weeks on life support in the intensive care unit while Daniel willed her to pull through for the sake of him and their newborn baby.
A year and a half on, she still struggles with many areas of life, including talking. However, she has persevered with speech therapy and physiotherapy and has amazed everyone with her strength and determination.
She was given an MRI scan at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, which revealed the tumour.
By then it was so large that it was threatening her own life and that of her unborn child, and medics broke the news to Ashlie and Daniel that she would have to have the baby straight away.
Amelie was delivered safely by Caesarean section at 7pm that evening.
The young family had only a few days together before Ashlie was back in surgery, this time on her brain.
The tumour was removed in a lengthy and complicated procedure but even then Ashlie was not out of the woods.
She spent two weeks on life support in the intensive care unit while Daniel willed her to pull through for the sake of him and their newborn baby.
A year and a half on, she still struggles with many areas of life, including talking.
However, she has persevered with speech therapy and physiotherapy and has amazed everyone with her strength and determination.
Her sponsored walk will raise money for Perth Strathtay Harriers and mark the anniversary of her joining the athletics club.
“She was told she may never walk again but she has done that,” said Daniel.
“We want to look at things in a sensible-case scenario and not worst-case scenario.
“Ashlie is an inspiration.”
Since joining, the club has helped her to regain her physical strength to the point where she is now confident to attempt her fundraising challenge.
Daniel said: “She has been getting better and better, and she is now walking with a walker and some assistance.
“Ashlie has also been getting some private physio and speech therapy. And the guys at the Harriers have been brilliant.”
Ashlie’s father, Graeme Nugent is proud of his daughter. “She really is inspirational. She never complains,” he said.
Ashlie’s endeavours have earned her high praise from the Perth Strathtay Harriers, who insist she is an asset to the team.
Club chairman Jim Hunter said: “Ashlie is an amazing lady. She is an inspiration to all around her.”
Coach coordinator, Nancy Davidson, added: “Ashlie with her family’s support proves what determination and hard work can achieve.
“She is an inspiration and we are proud to have her as part of the Harrier’s family.”
Donations can be made to Ashlie’s fundraiser on her GoFundMe page.
