A mum was stunned to learn that her headaches and tiredness were caused by a rare brain tumour.
Tara Hussain, 35, from Teesside, began experiencing headaches, tiredness and swelling in her eye for about a year but the mum-of-three carried on with her life, including volunteering at the Age UK charity shop, reports Teesside Live.
Repeated visits to the doctors and opticians failed to uncover anything so Tara took herself to A&E at James Cook University Hospital when she was suffering from what she believed to be a bad 'pressure headache'.
However, hospital scans revealed Tara was actually suffering from a rare brain tumour. Tara's Age UK colleagues and sister Jessica are now rallying around Tara, husband Jamil, and her three sons - Noah, Jonah and Ezra - to support them during this difficult time.
Jessica, 33, said: "Tara's symptoms started last year and only got really bad within the last four months. She absolutely loves going to work in the charity shop and spends her days chatting to all the customers who get to know her well but she's been so poorly that she hasn't been able to go in for a while.
"After her visit to A&E on March 9 she was taken straight in for scans as doctors were worried in case her headache was an aneurism, but scans actually showed she had quite a large brain tumour that doctors want to test for cancer.
"They have told Tara that they might not be able to remove it fully as it's in a difficult place, close to her eye, which is causing her eye to swell, so they might have to just cut it down to relieve the pressure. It means Tara may have to live with it long term and cope with it through medication."
Jessica has also set up a fundraiser for her 'selfless' sibling and her family as she is unable to work, leaving husband Jamil as the sole breadwinner for the family of five.
Jessica added: "She's living a nightmare at the minute and is trying to shield her kids as much as possible so it doesn't affect their mental health. Jamil has been an amazing support for her and the kids with taking them to school and taking Tara to hospital appointments but it's meant he's had to take time away from work which has been difficult on the family financially.
"Tara is my rock and is the most selfless person I've ever met. She'd help absolutely anyone with anything, so I want her to realise how loved she really is and I hope she can feel the same love that she gives to others. She puts everyone above herself and never asks anything of everyone, so now it's our turn to give something back and help her."
The fundraising page has already raised over £800 out of the £1,500 target.
Commenting on the fundraising page, Tara, of Middlesbrough, wrote: "I'm so thankful for all of the donations so far which will be used to ensure that anytime off required by my husband to accommodate my operation date and recovery time is stress free financially for us.
"Unfortunately before my diagnosis, we were like many families and are living payday to payday blissfully unaware of how difficult things can become at the flip of a switch so we have no plan B.
"We are eternally grateful to everyone for donations and shares which ensure we can focus on picking up the pieces and rebuilding ourselves during these crazy days."
Donations can be made here.
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