‘Don’t give up – I found a way for them to treat me’

Nancy Carter-Bradley, 44, lives in Hampshire with her daughter Freya, 20, and husband David, 54. She also has a son, Toby, 21.

She says, “In 2005, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had an operation, which removed most of it, followed by radiotherapy and then chemotherapy. Since then, I have had regular scans, but sadly, in October last year, doctors confirmed the tumour had started growing again.

“I’ve already defied my life expectancy, and because so few survive for as long as

I have, there isn’t any clear data on how long

I will live, though my consultants have estimated between a year and three. But, crucially, that’s only if I’m treated.

“In March, I was told my treatment would be put on hold for the foreseeable future. I’ve never been so terrified. I couldn’t eat or sleep, and I lost all hope that I’d survive to see my daughter graduate from her medical degree. To the medical professions I’m just a number, but it’s my life and I want to live it for as long as possible.

“Then my husband came up with a plan to have my blood tests done with my GP rather than at the hospital. This, along with a video call to my consultant, meant that I was allowed to have my oral chemotherapy. But it was because of my husband’s intervention that I’m doing this.

“But I want to tell everyone else – please don’t give up! Try to find ways around getting treatment. Despite living with a death sentence, I now feel like I have a shred of hope.”