Ruby’s Story

"My mum had her first seizure in October 2021 and immediately had it checked out. The GP referred her for an MRI, and they found a small tumour. She was told it was too early to say whether it was cancerous. She was asked to return for another MRI in mid-January 2022, but her health was rapidly declining, so she was admitted into the hospital on January 5th. She had a successful lobotomy, but on the 25th she was diagnosed with grade 4 Glioblastoma. Being told that Mum had 12-18 months to live broke our entire world.

It was a confusing time as we did not know what to expect, and we were taking it day by day. Mum still always had the biggest smile on her face, which did keep things light and positive sometimes, but the news we had received was still weighing on our minds.

When my mum came home, she had her first course of chemo, which resulted in her stopping eating and feeling worse. The doctors said that the chemo made things worse and not to give her further treatment as it would harm Mum more than anything.

Slowly but surely, things started improving, and she started eating again, smiling, laughing and chatting again. The doctors decided to give her a lower dose of chemo.

On 19th April, Mum seemed fine, was smiley and chatting as she had another MRI. On 4th May we had the MRI results; the chemo wasn't helping and the tumour was growing fast. They said she only has a matter of weeks to live.

Weeks, not months. What happened to my mum having 12-18 months? We were so confused but still taking things day by day with some hope.

Mum was moved to a hospice. Each day was waiting and hoping and then being told that Mum could be hours away from passing away.

Mum passed away on 25th May 2022, age 53. We held Mum's hand and watched her last breath. We miss her every day; she was the life of the party; she was funny and loud and a pillar of the community."