by Lauren

I’m Lauren and five years ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I went through six weeks of intensive radiotherapy and physiotherapy. My brain tumour was in such a difficult place that the doctors could not touch or even try to remove it.

Why me?

At the time that I found out, I thought to myself I'm not going to cope with this. How can I be only 12 years old, why has it happened to me? I’ve never done something bad.

I put on a brave face for my mum and dad and family and I didn’t cry once. I always made a joke and was happy, you have to be.

Fight for my life

The one thing I thought about while it was happening was, it could be a lot worse and this must have happened for a reason. I knew I had to fight for my life, I wasn’t going to give up on myself, although sometimes it would have been quite easy to just pack it in and give up but I never stopped fighting for a moment.

I've been in remission for three years now and since my treatment, my brain tumour is still shrinking. I’ve also passed the stage in which my brain tumour may have grown back and I’m in the all clear.

Love and support

If it hadn’t been for the love and support that I received from my family, especially mum and dad and my nan who never misses a hospital appointment, and my little sister for always making me laugh when times were hard, such as losing my hair, I wouldn’t have got through this.

My friends and school have also been my backbone in supporting me. Some of my mates in particular, who know who they are, have been like my tower in going out of their way to be there.

Living my life to the full

In September, I’m doing a course to be a beauty therapist and am living my life to the full because I’ve come out of this fighting, and so can anyone else.

That’s how I have coped with being ill and I always believe for each person there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is calling your name. Never give up, this challenge is set to make you a stronger person and you come out fighting.

This story may have been edited by Children First for Health for editorial and confidentiality reasons only.

For more help and information:

• Brain Tumour UK has information on brain tumours and can be reached via their website or on their free helpline 0845 4500 386
• Teen info on cancer (TIC) provides cancer information specifically for young people and provides access to online communities discussing teenage cancer

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