Epilepsy sufferer Julie Curran was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) after suffering two seizures in two weeks in July 2023. The mum-of-two, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, underwent a debulking surgery and is now part-way through a six-week course of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She is 62 years old.
Here is Julie’s story, as told by her daughter Jemma …
Mum has always been generally fit and healthy. She was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child but it was well managed with medication and she rarely had fits as an adult. In July 2023 she had a seizure at home. Dad was there and, when she came out of it, they put it down to her epilepsy. Paramedics came and checked Mum over but the seizure had passed by then and, although they offered to take her to hospital, she said she was fine.
“Two weeks later, Mum had another seizure, this time more violent.”
She convulsed, which was different to her usual fits and Dad was concerned. He called an ambulance and, when the paramedics arrived, she still wasn’t right, so they took her to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital, in Kent. There they did a scan and found a mass on her brain.
Everything happened very quickly after that. Just one week later, Mum had a debulking surgery and biopsy at King’s College Hospital, London. Eighty per cent of her tumour was removed but, sadly, the remaining 20% is lodged too deeply in her brain.
“We had to wait a couple of weeks for the result of her biopsy, but it revealed she has the worst type of tumour, a glioblastoma (GBM), which is terminal.”
“She’s got the most aggressive form of brain cancer, so there’s not a lot that can be done and that’s because of the lack of funding for research.”
It’s incredible that treatment for this hasn’t changed in more than 50 years. When Mum dies, she wants to donate her brain to science so more can be learned about this disease with the hope of helping others. There must be something out there and I’m determined to do what I can to help find it. That’s why I’ll be running the Brighton Half Marathon with three friends in aid of Brain Tumour Research in February 2024. I know it won’t help Mum but the money we raise could help others like her. Anyone wanting to donate can do so at www.gofundme.com/f/running-to-raise-money-for-brain-tumor-research.
“We’re just trying to enjoy the time we have left with Mum now and are making as many special memories as we can.”
We’re currently working our way through her bucket list. She wants to ride on the back of a Harley Davidson and honk the horn of an American truck, both of which are being arranged. She also wants to get all her friends and family together, so we’re planning a special gathering and hope that she’s well enough to enjoy it.
Jemma Maddock
October 2023
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been inspired by Julie’s story you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure