Community Life Magazine - Bedford Issue 1

A lifeline for Lynne
Lynne and her daughter, Katie
I t was on a family holiday to Jamaica in 2007
that Lynne East from Oakley fi rst started
feeling dizzy and breathless, suff ering from
headaches and having trouble maintaining
her balance.
Her legs were also swollen which she put down to the
heat but when these symptoms continued at home
she began to wonder if it might be something else.
During a routine eye test, the optician noticed an
alarming irregularity and sent her straight to hospital.
On arrival, scans were done and Lynne was admitted.
“I was scared and confused,” she said. “One minute
I was at the opticians, the next I was needing an
immediate operation. I didn’t know what to think.”
Lynne deteriorated and was transferred to a London
hospital where her fi rst operation removed what was
confi rmed to be a brain tumour.
Lynne endured a further eight operations over four
years which at stages left her bed bound and unable
to speak, eat or drink. She suff ered partial paralysis
and needed extensive physiotherapy to enable her
to walk again. She showed tremendous courage,
learning twice over to speak, drink and eat. After
nearly a year of being fed entirely through a tube, the
fi rst solid food Lynne ate was a packet of Quavers!
Lynne told us: “My family and friends had travelled
miles to be by my side. At one stage, it looked like
I wasn’t going to make it but the thought of seeing
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PEOPLE
my daughter Katie at her prom inspired me to keep
going. I was determined to fi ght this all the way for
her and to be at home again.’
Th e family from Oakley received invaluable support
from Th e Brains Trust based in the Isle of Wight.
Founder Dr Helen Bulbeck said: “We aim to provide
help and support to suff erers and their families and
to be there during times when they feel alone and
like no-one understands. Advice, information, phone
lines and online forums are all available day or night.”
For Lynne, they were a true lifeline.
Bedford Hospital staff also became her saviours
when she spent a week there waiting for yet another
operation. Suff ering depression, Lynne says this was
her lowest point and she would never have coped
without them. “Th eir patience, encouragement
and support helped me when I couldn’t see any
light. Th anks to them, I started to gather my
physical, mental and emotional strength again.”
Remarkable inner strength
Today, Lynne lives life day to day. A tiny piece of her
tumour remains, deemed too dangerous to remove.
She has regular scans and relies on painkillers and
medication. Everyday tasks take much longer but
despite the permanent paralysis in her hand and
right side, she still cooks and enjoys gardening. Her
biggest concerns are balance, memory and diffi culty
with facts and fi gures but she meets all her troubles
with a great sense of humour and a remarkable inner
strength. Lynne has been medically retired but she
is happy to be alive, and credits her attitude to her
Mum who passed away from cancer in 2007. She said:
“Mum would have told me to fi ght – and fi ght I did.”
Lynne would like to get in touch with other brain
tumour suff erers in the area and set up a local
support group. If you would like to be put in touch
with Lynne, please contact Community Life. You can
read Lynne’s story in full at www.brainstrust.org.uk
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