A mum who was diagnosed with a brain tumour after suffering from strong headaches and dizziness is fighting back as her daughter raises thousands for research.
Gillian Wilson was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma brain tumour after intense headaches were first thought to be a result of migraines and stress.
The 53-year-old was eventually sent for an eye test and after an examination she was referred to the former Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. An MRI scan revealed a mass behind her pituitary gland.
Her daughter, Alisha Wilson, now 24, has raised thousands for Brain Tumour Research following her mum's diagnosis in 2010 - as just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease, that kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
Assistant teacher, Alison, has recently completed a 23-mile Kiltwalk inspired by her mum's brain tumour battle - raising nearly £600 for Brain Tumour Research. It is the latest in a number of fundraising drives in which Alisha has raised more than £2,500 for the charity
Alisha said: “I don’t think my legs have ever been so tired, but it was so worth it. This is a cause that’s really close to my heart. Who knows where my mum would be if it wasn’t for all of the research that has already been done? If we can get funding for more research, then maybe others don’t need to go through what mum has.”
She continued: “I was 11 at the time and didn’t have a clue what was going on. Mum was in hospital for weeks, and I wasn’t allowed in to see her. It was heartbreaking because I’m very close to mum. I asked the nurses ‘Is mum going to die?’ but they reassured me that they were doing their best.”
Surgeons removed most of the tumour on June 6, 2010. In the following months, Gillian was doing well but in September she became forgetful. The tumour had grown back and had filled up with fluid, surgeons urgently needed to operate to insert a shunt.
Alisha, an assistant teacher at Dalmarnock Primary School, said: “The shunt managed to drain the fluid, but a few days later it had filled up again, so they operated on her again to fit a second shunt. Since the first operation she had several setbacks leading to another 10 operations between then and September 2010.”
Gillian underwent six weeks of radiotherapy which resulted in her losing her hair. In 2012, the double shunt had stopped working which led to Gillian having another six operations to resolve the issue.
Alisha said: “It has left mum with lots of serious health matters, including two types of diabetes because her pituitary gland was removed. She now has no short-term memory at all. It’s crazy, she can tell you anything that happened before her first operation, but she couldn’t tell you what she had for dinner two hours ago.”
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “We’re so proud of Alisha for successfully completing the Glasgow Kiltwalk. We’re really grateful as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Gillian who are forced to fight this awful disease.
“The next Kiltwalk takes place in Aberdeen on Sunday, June 4. I would encourage anyone to sign up because it’s a really fun day where every pound raised helps fund our vital work.”
To donate to Alisha’s fundraising page, visit here.
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