Introduction I attended the 2025 EANO (European Association of Neuro-Oncology) conference in Prague as a patient advocate and a member of the newly established Brain Tumour Advocacy Committee. Walking into the venue, I carried not only curiosity about the latest science, but also the lived urgency of patients navigating treatment, uncertainty, and quality of life. This … Continue reading Neuro-oncology conference report
MRI
The latest advances in treatments, clinical trials … for brain tumours
My close friend, Andrew, who I interviewed, for example, HERE, has recently been invited to the British Neuro-Oncology Society (BNOS) conference. Seems like it was a very informative event. He was kind enough to answer a couple of questions I had and that I thought could be relevant for all brain tumour patients. Below is … Continue reading The latest advances in treatments, clinical trials … for brain tumours
Coming late is better than not coming at all
That's what she said ... right? It has always been in my nature not to follow the immediate trends, watch or listen to what everybody else is currently streaming. I just don't like the group mentality and prefer swimming against the creek. It's more fun that way. So basically, I always "discover" something too late. … Continue reading Coming late is better than not coming at all
MRIs and meditations
The two "M" I know quite well. The famous writer, Allan Watts, said that "if you cannot meditate in a boiler room, you cannot meditate". I would modify to: if you cannot meditate in a MRI machine, you cannot meditate. MRIs have become a bit of a routine. But the one today has been special. … Continue reading MRIs and meditations
What do I fear?
There are things I don't like. Heights for example. I wouldn't go swimming in a deep sea either. I worry about falling. I fell many times. It is uncomfortable, painful and dumps your confidence. But, I do believe, my past experience changed the way I perceive threads. I still worry how is my condition affecting … Continue reading What do I fear?
Interview with Neil
I wrote this in 2018 and couldn't be more proud. Neil is doing amazing and works for Shine Cancer Support. So happy that he is my friend. Neil was only 25 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a plum. After painful brain surgery, he was told his tumour was a … Continue reading Interview with Neil
How far can doctors go and who is ultimately making decisions?
An interesting thing happened at my consultation yesterday following my recent MRI scan. The consultant neurosurgeon and the Neuro-oncology Specialist Nurse had these martyred expressions on their faces. They said that my recent scan hasn’t shown significant change but they discussed my case at their MDT meeting and they believe that I should have a … Continue reading How far can doctors go and who is ultimately making decisions?
Being at a crossroads
You know that feeling when you have to make an important decision in your life or make a change and you are just really confused and don’t know what to do? That’s exactly where I am right now, and it sucks. The question that I get quite often is whether I’ve undergone any treatments. My … Continue reading Being at a crossroads
Scanxiety is real
I’m very lucky. I only have my MRI once a year, which means I don’t usually have to think about it for most of the 10 months. But then, the next date starts approaching and generally two months prior the scan, the thoughts begin to eat me inside again. My annual MRI is next week … Continue reading Scanxiety is real
My Annual MRI Scan
I had my annual MRI yesterday. And there were many firsts. First time in the UK – Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham (scans also examined at JR Oxford University Hospital) First time that I was given contrast dye through cannula (this information is purely for the MRI geeks) First time after a couple of years that … Continue reading My Annual MRI Scan
Anna's Brainstorm 