Mum-of-one Melissa was just 24 with her whole life ahead of her when she was diagnosed with an inoperable low-grade glioma. Her tumour had an irreversible impact on her mobility and she is now unable to work and, together with her partner Lee, has decided not to have any more children because of her debilitating symptoms. Despite living on daily medication and with chronic pain, Melissa has found strength in her daughter, seven-year-old Millie, and enjoys creating makeup tutorials to distract her from her illness and to connect with like-minded people.

 “Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age. It’s an invisible illness and to many I might seem like the picture of perfect health. That makes it even harder to deal with and I often feel lonely, as if no-one understands what I’m going through.”

Having a keen interest in make-up and beauty, I recently created my own Facebook page, MKR Make-Up and Beauty, where I upload tutorials. It’s a great distraction and, as I often have days where I cannot leave the house, a good way to communicate and feel less isolated. Though I wouldn’t be able to pursue beauty as a profession, it’s a fantastic hobby and a way to connect with like-minded people.

“Social media is also a useful tool for reaching out to other patients. As a member of support groups, I find comfort in speaking to people who can relate to what I’m going through and that makes me feel less isolated.”

It took a long time to get my brain tumour diagnosis. Having suffered from dull continuous pain in my knees and lower legs, it was frustrating to be told by a number of doctors over a year and a half that my symptoms were merely a consequence of working late and long hours as a barmaid.

I had 30 sessions of radiotherapy over six weeks and once that finished, I needed routine scans. I coped well during treatment but emotionally everything took its toll afterwards. Physically, I was very tired and was wheelchair bound. The steroid medication really affected my sleep.

I’m relieved that since my treatment ended, my tumour has remained stable. However, I suffer from debilitating pain and take daily medication to control this. The medication makes me fatigued and as a result caring for Millie is often overwhelming.

I hope that by sharing my story I help to raise awareness of brain tumours. Though my tumour is low-grade, it’s had a huge impact on my life and while I might look fit and well, I’m living with an invisible illness which means I cannot life my life to the full.