Wife runs half marathon to thank staff for care of husband
John Fawcett was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2018. Now, thanks to the work of the doctors and nurses at QEHB, John’s wife, Anna, is running the SimplyHealth Great Birmingham half marathon for the Charity to say thank you for the care he has and will receive in the future.
John’s tumour was angiomatous meningioma meaning it wasn’t cancerous but still very rare and damaging as it was putting a lot of pressure on his brain. John and his wife originally thought the tumour was small, manageable and not life-threatening but then learnt that his surgery had many risks.
Anna said: “Hearing the news turned our lives upside down. Nothing can prepare you for a life event such as a brain tumour diagnosis.”
John’s first operation was on 7 January 2019 to embolise his tumour and make his major surgery less risky. He then had his big operation on 10 January which involved 14 hours of surgery and four weeks recovery time in hospital. Most of the tumour was removed at this stage and the operation went as well as expected by surgeons, doctors and nurses.
Picture above: John's scar after surgery
Talking about the care John received at the hospital, Anna said: “The care we had was second to none. John’s brain tumour was picked up by the team at the QE and thanks to them it means he is still alive.
“I got to know the nurses and doctors very well and they were fantastic at reassuring us. They are a lovely bunch who I will remember fondly for the rest of my life.”
To thank the doctors, nurses and surgeons for all of their care, Anna is now challenging herself to run the SimplyHealth Great Birmingham half marathon for the Charity to help raise money for other patients and families in their position.
After running a half marathon for another Charity in 2017 when her eldest child had some operations and they wanted to give something back, so Anna knew that this is what she wanted to do for QEHB as well after the care John received. She said: “I’m very much looking forward to it. I found the last one very emotional and as this is even more serious, I’d imagine being on the run will bring back memories of our time in hospital, it’ll certainly spur me on to beat my time!
“When John was in hospital I spent hours sat at his bedside but it was nothing compared to the commitment of staff who look after patients in their lowest moment. It feels really good to be able to give something back.”
To find out more about why Anna is fundraising for QEHB Charity and to donate to support her in this challenge, please click here.
If Anna's challenge has inspired you to do something for the hospital charity, why not take part in the SimplyHealth Great Birmingham half marathon with her? You can sign up here!
