Studying with a brain tumour – Gemma’s story

“I’m Gemma and I am 32 years old, currently studying Adult Nursing at the Eastbourne campus.

I’m in my third and final year of the course, juggling course work and placements with looking after a husband and two young boys who are ten and six.

I have loved my course so far; it’s something that I have been meaning to do for many years but didn’t when I was younger as I also wanted to make the most out of being with my children whilst they were small. After ten years, I finally took the plunge.

Before I came to uni, I had a brain tumour the size of a Satsuma removed. Unfortunately, last year, whilst I was in my second year, I started experiencing headaches. I returned to the neurological centre where it was confirmed that there was a new tumour.

Since then, I have had the tumour removed, my bloods have come back fine and as far as I know, everything is OK for now.

As you can imagine, this has been a hard time for me as I have also had my lectures to go to and assignments to manage whilst my thoughts being elsewhere, I admit my concentration levels haven’t been great. At times I have nearly hit rock bottom, but I didn’t because I have had the support of uni, friends and family who have all picked me up even at my worst.

The university provided me with a laptop, recording devices and a book reader as I was in pain from looking at a board and writing. Having the laptop reduced the worry that I’d miss out on lectures when I wasn’t well, I could catch up using slideshows and listen to clips that were recorded with my device. Daniel Wasp from Student Services has been a great help giving me advice and putting me in the right direction for support. My personal tutor Alec Grant has also been there to listen to concerns and offer his assistance when I had got into a rut.

I’ve been doing everything on the course that everyone else has. I have had a placement every three months, so being in placement has kept things normal and kept me busy. I really do not know where I’ll end up or what I’ll be doing after I graduate but I have had an amazing time at uni and enjoyed all my placements despite everything.

I hope my story encourages others and I think that my life experiences will make me a better nurse.

Remember, you can overcome anything you set your mind to.”