When it really is urgent

This is what your brain looks like when they have taken a tumour the size of a fist out. This is my wife’s brain.

Eight weeks ago we went on holiday to Egypt - a 5 hour flight. She had been behaving slightly strangely and I put it down to depression and grief for her mother. 3 days later she didn’t know her name and was having tonic clonic seizures.

One medevac home, 4 hospitals, a craniotomy, meningitis and today she started ipi/nivo for melanoma brain mets.

How easy your life can change in 8 weeks. What I have learnt is really pretty simple.

1. There is a huge majority of amazing doctors, nurses, therapists out there who are absolutely made for the job. There are some who aren’t and shouldn’t be doing it.
2. The system requires a relative or carer to absolutely push and advocate for you all the way - if you don’t have that you are absolutely screwed.
3. Brain injury is heartbreaking but also sometimes very funny - you have to take the laughter and the tears together.
4. I am super grateful to work for a company like #NOVARTIS - they have given me amazing flexibility, kindness and room to deal with this - for this I will be forever grateful.
5. We have the best friends and family in the world.