A MUM-OF-TWO has told how her life was turned upside down she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour.

Nurse Gemma Edgar, 29, of Colchester, received the diagnosis in October after suffering with severe headaches.

Her sons, Noah and Dylan, were just eight weeks and two years old at the time.

Gemma, a former paediatric nurse at Colchester General Hospital, said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour was sudden.

“I did suffer with some headaches during my second pregnancy, but my midwife reassured me it was down to hormones.

“Less than a couple of months after my second son was born, I had three days of nausea, vomiting and severe headaches leaving me completely incapable of looking after my two boys.

“The GP put it down to migraine, but the next day I went to A&E feeling a bit stupid and hoping I could be given some stronger pain relief, so I could get back to being a mum again.

“At Colchester General Hospital, the doctor decided to do a scan just to be on the safe side.

“Everything then happened so quickly. My husband, Rob, was at home looking after the boys and I was given the news supported by two work colleagues the scan had revealed a mass on the brain – possibly a brain abscess.”

Gemma was transferred to Queen’s Hospital in Romford and underwent surgery.

Surgeons removed as much of the tumour as they could.

A biopsy found she had a Grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme – the most aggressive and common type of tumour.

Gemma said: “Asanurse, I had witnessed parents in that position many times, being confronted with devastating news about their children.

“But I had never been on the other side receiving such news.”

Gemma had chemotherapy and last month, an MRI scan showed no sign of regrowth.

Gemma added: “I take each day as it comes and try to stay positive.

“Up until nowIhave been off work on sick leave and I have applied for ill-health retirement, which will come into effect in June.

“I never imagined I would be receiving a pension at the age of 29. NowIam not working, we can spend much more quality time as a family.

“I never thought I would be able to afford to beastay-athome mum, so I keep telling myself there are lots of positives to my awful situation.

“I could, and am often tempted to, just hide myself away under the duvet, butIdon’t want my boys to have bad memories of Mummy.

“Being a nurse,Iknewabit about brain tumours before, but since I was diagnosed I have been looking in particular for new treatments which might help me.

“Until I started speaking online to others in the same situation, I had never realised how terribly underfunded research into brain tumours was or how devastating such a diagnosis is to patients and their families.

“My main aim now is to raise awareness so research into brain tumours gets the funding it deserves to hopefully find a cure and save my life.”

 

 

GEMMA’S husband, Rob, is planning a sky dive to raise money for charity Brain Tumour Research.

He will be joined by two close friends, Garry Neal and Paul Gooding, to undertake the 15,000 metre jump on June 13 in Suffolk.

Rob, an Essex Police officer, said: “I feel allright for it at the moment–quite excited.

“I’m sure when it gets closer to the time I will start feeling nervous.Ihaven’t done anthing like this before.

“The charity is close to our hearts because of Gemma’s diagnosis. Brain tumour research is really underfunded and I want to help raise money and awareness.”

Donations have already hit £5,000, but Rob is hoping to raise more.

To donate, visit: justgiving.com/Robert-edgar