On the 29th May 2015, aged 24, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.  On the 29th May 2016, exactly one year from diagnosis and one major brain surgery later, Andrea and I are running the Edinburgh Half Marathon to raise money for the National Brain Appeal which is based in the hospital that I had my operation. They need to raise £4 million to build a new specialist operating theatre.  We would be incredibly grateful if you could take the time to make a donation, however big or small, to help ensure this hospital and its staff can continue to provide exceptional care and achieve excellent results. 

I was standing in the boarding queue at Luton airport to go to Glasgow for Andrea's birthday when I received a phone call from a neurologist at UCLH who had the results of the MRI scan that I had had only an hour earlier.  She told me not to get on the plane and to go straight to the hospital for more diagnostic tests as they had found what had been causing the sporadic and excruciating fits that had started a day earlier and were becoming more intense and more regular.

That evening my brother Michael, his fiancée Caillí and I were sat in a room and told that I had a 3.6cm brain tumour that needed to be operated on as it was putting pressure on my trigeminal nerve and that was what was causing the fits.  Needless to say, that was not news that we were expecting and we were absolutely devastated. The next 6 months proved to be the most difficult and character building time that I have been faced with.

The tumour was a Vestibular Schwannoma and classed as large so was too big for radiotherapy or to leave in, especially due to the nature of how it suddenly presented itself with fits.  Typical symptoms for a Vestibular Schwannoma are hearing loss on one side and balance issues.  My hearing was perfect in both ears. 100%.  I then had to decide which one of two surgeries to have:-

a) leave in 40% of the tumour and have a 50% chance of saving some of my hearing, but with a higher risk of facial palsy.

b) Near total removal of the tumour, with a slightly lower risk of facial palsy but I would lose 100% of the hearing in my right ear.

I was terrified. With the unbelievable and unconditional support from my family (my incomparable parents, my three brothers, their fiancées, aunts, uncles, cousins), my friends (you know who you are) and the patience of my two world class neurosurgeons, after weeks of continually changing my mind, I somehow found a moment to think rationally for long enough to decide on option b): near total removal of the tumour. 

On the 22nd of June, I had the 8 hour surgery.  I was told I would wake up with facial palsy that they would hope would be temporary but could last 2 months, 2 years or forever (amongst many other harrowing possible side effects).  I didn't know if I'd ever be physically able to smile again. I woke up from surgery with no facial palsy but an inability to sit, walk or eat, with a constant dull headache and unsubsiding nausea.  I lost a stone in a week. The next two weeks were the hardest that I have ever experienced. I was so scared and had no idea how long I would be this dependent on others. I was unable to do anything for myself, I couldn't eat, sit up never mind stand up or walk, I was unable to keep down any meals, I was on about 30 tablets a day with constant injections and drips being administered, I had to get stitches without anesthetic as I was leaking spinal fluid and I developed terrible anxiety and a condition called panic disorder. It was the lowest and darkest time I've ever been through.  

But with the incredible support and love from my family who rallied around me (and the family and friends that rallied around them), the unconditional kindness of my friends and the sensitivity and professionalism of the medical team and staff that cared for me at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) where I had my operation, I was able to get through it. 

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful at how lucky I am to have that love and support that gave me strength and hope at a time when I had none myself.

Exactly one year from diagnosis, I am running the Edinburgh Half Marathon alongside one of my best friends, Andrea McGlinchey, to raise money for the National Brain Appeal that is based in the NHNN.  The first time I have ever ran in anything!

I have had a spectacular recovery and am thankful to say that Single Sided Deafness and mild balance issues are my only remaining side effects.  Which feel like a small price to pay considering the alternatives.  I will get an MRI scan once a year to monitor my brain and am pleased to have had my first 6 month scan behind me.

I was lucky, in so many ways.  Due to quick diagnosis, being treated by world class surgeons who had access to the best facilities and equipment, the brilliant aftercare by the medical staff at the NHNN and all of those that showed some small kindness to me or my family, we have come out the other side.  I know that this was all extremely hard for them too but we are closer than ever because of it. 

However, many are not so lucky and raising funds is crucial to helping to give others the best possible chance of a successful surgery and recovery. 

You can read about the amazing work of this charity and the NHNN here:- http://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a complete novice when it comes to running.  It is absolutely not something that I enjoy or am remotely good at. But this will be a very significant day for me and I would genuinely be so grateful if you could support me, Andrea and a truly worthwhile cause, that is very close to my heart (and brain). Plus it's Andrea's birthday on 31st May so a donation to show your support would be the perfect gift idea :)

Thank you for taking the time to visit this page and read my story.

Love,

Clíodhna xxx

At no extra cost to you, please add Gift Aid for your donation, if you are UK taxpayer.  Just Giving will reclaim the tax on your donation which will make a huge difference to the total raised and to the charity.