Mum Sam Wells discovered she had a brain tumour after forgetting why she was out shopping. Sam went to a local supermarket in 2019 but couldn't remember what she went for.
The 48-year-old mum-of-two later developed a flicker in her eye. At first she thought she might have had a mini stroke.
She went to Royal Stoke University Hospital where she underwent an MRI. It was then Sam was told she had a mass on her brain.
Sam, from Penkridge in Staffordshire, was soon after diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma. She has since undergone serious treatment including surgery, 33 sessions of radiotherapy and a year of chemotherapy.
Sam, who works for the NHS as a specialist nursery nurse, said: “I had no idea what having a brain tumour meant. From that point everything was rushed. I wasn’t allowed to drive and had to call my husband and tell him the news.
"Next thing, I was having surgery where I had about 70% of the mass removed. I came out with 48 staples in my head after which I was referred to an oncologist who confirmed the mass was cancer.
“Everyone copes differently when faced with something so huge. For me and my family, we know there may not be a long future, so we feel encouraged to live in the present. It’s not about creating bucket lists but about living in each moment we get to spend together.”
Sam now has regular scans to monitor the remainder of the tumour and is on anti-seizure medication for the rest of her life. Despite her ongoing treatment, she is running a month-long marathon challenge this May in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
The Jog 26.2 Miles in May challenge, which is now in its third year, raises vital funds to help find a cure for brain tumours. She said: “I’ve got a decent walking pace but I’m not a runner.
"So far it’s been good to get out and I’ve completed seven miles. I have had amazing support from my teenage daughter, Megan, who is doing it with me alongside Woody, our Labrador-spaniel cross.”
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Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Sam for sharing her story and signing up to support the charity with an epic month-long challenge.
"Her willingness to share her story to raise awareness will help us in our vision to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours - which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
You can donate to Sam's challenge by visiting www.facebook.com/donate/1253219945567166.
