What has been horrible is becoming something amazing

As I'm writing this I have tears in my eyes, and a few rolling down my face. I have spent the day with my daughter helping her move into her beautiful new home with her fabulous boyfriend and her delightful boy. We've going through old photos and memories, books and toys of my grandsons. I think that exactly the time I am cooking dinner this time last year we were being told that I had a tumour living in my head, I didn't take it in, I couldn't take it in, my daughters cried, my friend cried and I was dumbfounded, not knowing what was going to happen and definately not taking in the enormity of 'brain tumour'.

Since that time, I have continued to scare the living daylights out of everyone close to me with seizures and surgery and more seizures. I have worked, read, studied, fought the agencies and cried, cried and then cried some more. I have made amazing friends from all over the world who are my backbone, I would never have met a lot of these people if it hadn't been for this awful 'thing'! I always knew that family isn't just blood (although mine are awesome) but they are also the people you choose to have by your side, they will stick by you through thick and thin, they will stick by through the good times and the bad, they will hold you when you cry and poke you when you need to laugh.

I have learned, and am still learning a new way of life, I have learned new skills that I have wanted for years and years. I am going to start a new version of myself, a different version me, maybe calmer and kinder, I like that version of myself.

I've learned that when you have a toxic person in your life they have to be removed, it's hard and there is a mourning period but it's worth it to take away that toxicity. I have also learned that some people will step away from you because they can't handle the fear, I cried over these but honestly if they can't handle me when I need them they don't deserve me when I'm at my best, so they have been removed too.

I am now shouting from the rooftops about brain tumour research, I am aiming to be an ambassador for this vital research for people all over the world. The world knows about breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia and these are also vital cancers that need to be irradicated but so is brain tumours. I want it known everywhere and by everyone that work needs to be done to stop these horrible and silent things living in our heads, the uninvited lodgers that so many of us give names to just to get to grips with the situation. I want to fight to see this research find a cure quicker.

I am in tears now, not tears of fear and sadness anymore but tears of joy, relief and gratitude. I can't even have a glass of wine though cos I'm on antibiotics. Not to worry, Thursday evening will be served with a very small glass of wine :)

I will continue the fight and will continue to raise money for the fight, if you are reading this and want to join me follow this link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/victoria-bradley5