Interview with Victoria Bradley: Victoria was diagnosed with a meningioma in June 2017. She had been suffering from focal seizures and speech problems leading up to her meningioma diagnosis.
They told Victoria that the tumour was a third of the size of the left of her brain yet were able to fully removed it and no sign of recurrence. But, due to the location of the surgery, she has been left with some problems yet it has not stopped her becoming a hypnotherapist and meditation teacher now.
Here is the story of Victoria and her Meningioma.
Hi Victoria, how are you doing now since your brain surgery?
I have good and bad days, I still have focal and tonic-clonic seizures and have fatigue a lot, the worst thing about it all is the fear of having a seizure.
You can find out more about my original diagnosis here on my blog: The beginning of Amos.
When did you start your blog?
I started my blog about a week after I was diagnosed.
What is your blog about?
It’s about what’s happening in my life. What I do to try and get a form of normality. Changes I’ve made to my diet. And the effect it’s all had on my life.
What motivates you to blog?
I started it as more of a diary to remember what was going on.
What is the hardest thing being a blogger (if any)?
When I’m having down days or weeks what thoughts and feelings I should include or avoid.
What motivates you?
My new business, because the blog has become a part of my website and I want people to see that even a person who has been classed as medically unfit to work can use self-determination to do something.
Who is your personal hero or are your heroes?
My Dad has always been my hero, he was the most amazing man I’ve ever been lucky to have in my life, I miss him every day. In addition, my daughters, I don’t know what I did to be so lucky to have these incredible and strong young women and finally my wonderful grandchildren.
My daughters regularly save my life physically but the children save me mentally, they make me laugh when it feels like there’s no laughter left
What would you say is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done?
I abseiled down a very tall building for charity and I worked in the travel industry and been lucky to meet amazing people and see amazing places
What is the toughest challenge survivors face?
Fear of the unknown and fear of the future
Any advice for people or loved ones that get daunting diagnoses?
Get involved with brain tumour support groups who can be a huge support and often point you in the right direction, write things down, questions and answers, accept the help you are offered
Tell us something about yourself that people probably didn’t know… anything?
I am allergic to pineapple, this isn’t unknown and is just about the only thing I do remember after I’ve had a seizure. I am determined to not let this beat me, my favourite colour is yellow because it’s the colour of sun (my grandchildren do know this, they remind me if I’m having a down day)
What is next on your agenda?
Building my business, since my surgery I studied at home and am now a qualified hypnotherapist and meditation teacher. I have created my website for people to purchase and download meditation and hypnosis sessions and use them at home, hypnosis can be daunting and expensive, my recordings are a lot cheaper and easier to use for people who some days can’t leave their own homes for many reasons naturallycalmtherapy.co.uk
You can follow ‘Naturally Calm Therapy’ Here:
Conclusion
Victoria shows how even though we can’t stop challenges in our lives, we can still surround ourselves with the right tools to make it easier. Self-determination is an amazing medicine in itself, and we can learn things that not only help ourselves but others also.
Can you relate to Victoria and her Meningioma story?
