Charlotte, 39, from Rainham, said: “Initially the team thought I had a dermoid cyst. These are typically benign and contain various types of tissue, such as hair, skin, and sometimes teeth. I had surgery to remove it but three weeks later the pathology results showed the cyst also contained a brain tumour and spinal cord cancer. These types of tumours are incredibly rare – with fewer than 100 cases recorded worldwide.”
Four months later Charlotte received the devastating news the cancer had spread and she needed surgery to remove three tumours from multiple sites. But that didn’t stop her from doing what she loves most – running!
“It’s always been my therapy,” she said.
She said: “Although my treatment has ended, given the nature of my disease I am very closely monitored. I have monthly oncology appointments and three-monthly scans.
“I have received amazing support from my colleagues, friends and family and the Cancer Team here at Medway has been absolutely fantastic.
“To help me cope I’ve been going to the gym and running to give me the head space I need to process my diagnosis. I started writing a blog during treatment, which I’ve found very therapeutic. I also had counselling throughout my treatment with Macmillan Cancer Counsellor Karen Adams who helped me to accept my diagnosis.
“Macmillan Gynaecology Cancer Nurse Specialist Karen Flannery (pictured right) also really helped me and continues to do so. I’d have been lost without both of them.”
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