A Consett mum who discovered she had a brain tumour while on a trip to Turkey has been told she has "incurable" cancer.
Lisa Robinson was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June after she suddenly became unwell while on a solo trip to Antalya for dental implants. The 44-year-old underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumour at Anadolu Hastanesi Hospital which saved her life.
However, when Lisa returned to the UK, she received the devastating news that she had Stage 4 cancer. Now, Lisa has bravely told Chronicle Live that doctors have confirmed her cancer is "incurable but treatable" as she begins her first round of radiotherapy to prolong her life.
"My cancer will never go away," Lisa said. "It is Stage 4. I can't do anything about it other than being positive and living day by day. That's all I have control of.
"All I keep thinking is that I can't dwell on it, I have got to live with it. There are times when I think, 'you were so close to death and you have been given a chance, so use that chance to make the best of it you can.'"
Lisa, who worked as a mental health nurse before becoming unwell, will begin radiotherapy today (August 9), undergoing sessions five days a week for the next three weeks before starting a course of oral chemotherapy. The brave mum is currently on medication to prevent seizures and reduce the pressure on her brain, as well as codeine and paracetamol for pain relief.
"The cancer is incurable but it is treatable," Lisa said.
"There are still cancerous cells within my brain so the treatment is to minimize their size. They say the cancer is aggressive and fast growing."
Throughout her battle, Lisa has been overwhelmed by the support of her family and the community who have rallied around to raise funds to pay for her treatment in Turkey. It comes after Lisa's insurance company AXA Partners, refused to cover the costs of her medical bills and flight home to Newcastle.
The company said it would not pay out on the grounds that Lisa was aware she had a pre-existing medical condition, which she denies. AXA Partners said Lisa had sought medical assistance for severe headaches prior to travelling and had also been prescribed medication.
A Just Giving Page has raised £24,125 towards its £50,000 goal, with a number of fundraising events planned in the coming weeks to raise more cash. Lisa's family is also taking the insurance issue to the Ombudsman.
"The support has been amazing," Lisa said.
She added: "Within seven weeks my life has changed. It just goes to show you don't know what is around the corner, that is the scary thing."
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