A woman fighting “a hidden time bomb” has inspired a charity challenge.
Fiona Reid, 45, who has undergone surgery and treatment since being diagnosed with an anaplastic oligodendroglioma brain tumour in 2010, is currently having chemotherapy.
She said: “I have known from the beginning that my tumour can’t be cured but I remain relatively optimistic.
“New treatments are coming out and I hope that there might be trials which I could be put forward for.”
In the last six years Fiona has undergone surgery and treatment as her tumour classified as “low-grade” has continued to grow and cause paralysis.
With the support of her husband, mother and friends (see right), Fiona is optimistic and will back Brain Tumour Research’s Wear A Hat Day 2016.
It was a year after marrying Andy Fiona felt she was losing power down her left side. Then the self-confessed fitness fanatic collapsed on a treadmill.
“I was diagnosed with an anaplastic oligodendroglioma,” she said. “Its location meant surgery was not possible but radiotherapy was an option.”
After six weeks of treatment, a scan showed the tumour had not grown. Things were OK for quite a while but in 2014 she again felt a numbness down her left side. The tumour had grown and Fiona faced chemotherapy, which shrunk it to almost nothing. “It was great news and, of course, I was thrilled.”
But the numbness was back in 2015 and she was told the tumour was growing. In September she had surgery and as much of the tumour as possible was removed. But the numbness reappeared and Fiona was again on chemotherapy.
“Andy is a very positive person. He has been a tower of strength and has kept me going. I see my mum every day and have great support from my friends.
“I want everyone to know that I’m 45 and I’m not finished yet.”