As Brain Tumour Awareness Month comes to an end, Express reporter Antonia Rubio has been speaking to islanders affected by the illness to share their unique personal experiences…
Sophie Reid was diagnosed with a grade three astrocytoma in December 2024.
Her brain tumour was initially identified from scans as a low-grade glioma, but she had to undergo further investigations and exploratory surgery to receive an official brain tumour diagnosis.
Since then, Sophie has faced an awake craniotomy and completed 33 sessions of radiotherapy in Southampton – and she is now gearing up to take on 12 months of chemotherapy.
Sophie experienced various symptoms before her diagnosis, such as personality and behavioural changes and headaches behind her right eye where the tumour was located.
However, the biggest indication of her brain tumour was the abrupt seizure she suffered at work in September 2024.
It was concluded that Sophie had experienced a tonic-clonic seizure, formerly known as a ‘grand mal’ seizure.
Despite having no prior history of seizures, no further investigations were ordered during her hospital admission – leaving her with no answers and no follow up appointment.
Sophie knew that something was wrong, so she followed up with her GP who requested a head CT and MRI scans.
It was these that revealed her brain tumour.
Since then, Sophie has been documenting her journey online to raise awareness and encourage others to advocate for themselves and their health.
To mark Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Sophie has been sharing daily facts about her condition throughout March.
She hopes to educate people about the reality of life with a brain tumour and the symptoms to look out for.
Sophie said: “Brain tumours don’t just affect you whilst having treatment.
“The treatment leaves you with lifelong problems due to the nature and area being treated.”
She added: “I wish people knew that brain tumours are incurable and that more research could be done to find better treatments so that brain cancer patients aren’t left with the side effects of it and can try and live some sort of normal life.”
You can follow Sophie’s journey on Instagram (@sophiebambam) or TikTok (@bobtheglobcast).
DONATE…
Sophie’s friend Shelley Porter is attempting to raise £9,000 to help relieve some of the financial stress on Sophie’s family – including her four children – throughout her cancer treatment.
Shelley said: “This family has spent the past few months selflessly fundraising and supporting others, never asking for help themselves. Now, it’s time for us to support them.
“Reaching our goal of £9,000 will help relieve some of their financial stress, allowing Sophie to focus on her treatment without the added burden of worrying about how to keep their home running.”
You can donate to support Sophie and her family HERE.