It is hard to imagine waking up in excruciating pain every day but that is the reality for Dundee woman Judith Leeland.
For the past 12 years the mother-of-two has lived with an incurable brain tumour. On a good day the pain she compares to a migraine; at its worst the blinding agony can cause her to pass out.
Despite her serious health problems Judith (56) remains remarkably upbeat marking a stark turnaround in her outlook from when she was delivered the devastating diagnosis in 1999.
She told The Courier: ”You hear other people say that they can remember news like it was yesterday but I really can.
”There was two years prior to that though when doctors didn’t know what was causing my headaches. Eventually I was taken for an MRI scan at Ninewells Hospital.
”It never crossed my mind that it might be a tumour. The doctor saw me and my husband in his office and he showed me the scans. He then turned and just said ‘Mrs Leeland you have a brain tumour’. I burst into tears.
”It was sort of a relief to finally find out what was wrong but then to hear you have a brain tumour, well, you automatically think cancer.”
Judith, who lives with huband Harry (62) in William Fitzgerald Way, has a type of tumour called an arachnoid cyst. Although she had surgery 11 years ago to reduce the size, the cyst is still slowly growing.
With the tumour located close to the part of the brain which processes sight the former licensee of the Tally Ho Bar in Hawkhill now suffers from double vision and blind spots in her peripheral vision.
She takes tablets to help ease the intense headaches but a strong discomfort remains.
Despite this, Judith is determined the disease won’t destroy her life.
”It’s bad to say but this is part of my life now it will never go away,” added Judith, who was forced to give up her work.
”My family has been wonderful with me. My husband Harry is semi-retired and is my carer. Most of the time he is with me because I can’t go out on my own in case I pass out.”
As well as getting support from home Judith has recently been given the opportunity to meet other sufferers. The Dundee Brain Support Group opened late last year and is jointly run by Brain Tumour UK and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.
There are currently six members, all with different types of tumours, and there are spaces available. For Judith the group has helped her greatly.
She explains: ”Before the support group in Dundee started there was nowhere to go, no one to talk to. But now I can talk with other people going through similar things and you just don’t feel so alone. I like to celebrate getting through each day.”
The meetings are run by Gus Ironside of Brain Tumour UK and Karen MacKinnon, a cancer support specialist with Maggie’s Dundee.
The group alternates between general support meetings and meetings with guest speakers as well as a time for friendly conversation and support. Upcoming meetings will also feature advice on diet, relaxation and exercise.
Gus said: ”People affected by brain tumours can feel very isolated, so having a place to go for mutual support and to share their experiences of living with the effects of a brain tumour can be a lifeline.”Find out moreIf you or someone you know is living with a brain tumour and they would like to find out more about the Dundee support group, contact Gus on 07827 595855.
The group meets from 3.30-5pm on the second Wednesday of each month at Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, Ninewells Hospital, with the next meeting scheduled for May 16.
Patients, friends and family can call the Brain Tumour UK helpline on 0845 4500 386 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.