Hi my name is Danielle McGriskin. I started raising money for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at 14. I would like to share with you my story which may help others.
History
I was enjoying my life as a teenager; I had some hobbies such as, piano and cross country.
I had been suffering from what the doctors thought were migraines since August 2010, but the headaches got worse. I would often joke with my friends that my memory was bad as I asked them the same questions over and over again without realising. I found that my vision was not the best so my dad took me to the opticians who looked into the back of my eyes and found that they were very swollen. He then referred me to the ophthalmologist on the 30th June 2011, he is a Doctor who specialises in eyes, and he could see that I had chronic papillodema and said that I needed urgent treatment. This was a huge shock to me and the rest of my family and friends; we weren’t expecting any of this. It was then arranged for me to have a MRI scan of my brain. The MRI results showed that there was a low grade tumour on my brainstem and this had also caused hydrocephalus, fluid on the brain. I was really shocked and stunned and there were millions of questions running through my head. I also felt relieved that at last I had the answer to my awful headaches, dizziness and tiredness. I was sent straight to A and E and referred to a neurosurgeon who told me that I required an operation as soon as possible to get rid of the excess fluid, he told me that the operation he was going to perform was called an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV). This meant that he would drill a hole through my brain into the third ventricle making a small reservoir for the fluid to flow out off. He would also insert a small tube allowing access into the brain if required for the future. I was extremely scared and frightened I tried to keep my mind off it by thinking about all the sweets and chocolates I could eat after the operation.
They told me that they could not remove the tumour as it is too big of a risk because it is located on the brain stem, and if something went wrong during the operation it could cause many problems. It would take 6months for me to fully recover from the operation. My tumour is to be monitored very closely so I have to get an MRI scan taken every 3 months. Unfortunately, after the operation I gradually began to suffer from the same symptoms again but it wasn’t for another four months and another brain scan that the consultant called me in to have my brain pressure measured. My ventricles had not reduced in size and I was called in to have shunt procedure because although the reservoir was working I also had non- communicating hydrocephalus.
After my first operation I immediately wanted to get involved in raising funds for a brain tumour charity. I came across Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, whilst walking through our local shopping centre. Having read all the information about the lack of funding into brain tumour research, other people’s stories and the kind support they gave my mum I feel very passionate about raising money for such a good cause.
Donate to the Friends of SDBTT – Danielle McGriskin Group here
2012
My first event that I have held was a Zumba Night at my old primary school. Everyone who came was very supportive and they kept asking me when the next event would be. All together we raised £890 on the night.
See the video from the Zumba Night here
Thank you to my Granny who has been supporting me by putting a collection tin in her local restaurant and the customers who have raised a total of £100.00
