Making good of a bad situation

In October 2019 I was diagnosed as having two benign brain tumours and a third likely brain tumour, called an acoustic neuroma, a meningioma and a microadenoma. I am currently on a watch and wait plan where I have regular brain scans and the need for brain surgery is reassessed after each scan. I have a team of specialists working with me, neurosurgeon, neurologist, ENT, audiologist just to name a few.

I made a promise to myself after my diagnoses that if I was cleared from having surgery in April after my second scan I would run the Goat Run NZ and raise funds for the Brain Tumour Support Trust NZ. I have just been cleared for 12 months so I am keeping my promise.

Being diagnosed with a brain tumour (or 3) is not easy to swallow. I consider myself lucky as my tumours were caught early after heart attack like symptoms with a swooshing in my left ear sent me to the doctor. Others are not so lucky. I would like to raise funds to help others with brain tumours and their families get the support they need during these testing times.

My plan is to run The Goat Nz. This will be no easy feat and I will need to train hard, but then again living with the uncertainty of brain tumours is no easy feat either so bring it on!

The Brain Tumour Support Trust NZ supports anyone with a brain tumour, malignant or benign and their families. They are a relatively new charity which was started in 2019 after it was noticed there was a severe lack of support and information for brain tumour patients. They provide information, support and guidance to patients, their families and friends. The Brain tumour support trust advocates for the best treatments, care and support for patients, so they can have the best possible outcomes and quality of life.