Learning to Walk With Fear and Still Showing Up

In 2022, Israh was diagnosed with a petroclival meningioma.But this episode is not only about diagnosis or surgery.It’s about what comes after.It’s about the “middle place” so many people in the brain tumour community know well — the place after treatment, where life continues, but uncertainty never fully leaves.In this thoughtful and deeply honest conversation, Israh speaks about living with the unknown:• the fear that does not fade with time• scanxiety and the dread of the next MRI• the uncertainty of planning ahead• the fear of needing another, more dangerous operation• living in a body changed by fatigue• grieving the person she used to be• learning to rest, set boundaries, and say no without guilt• discovering that strength is not always pushing throughIsrah shares how her life has changed since surgery. Once constantly busy, energetic and always on the go, she is now learning to live in a different way — with more compassion for herself, more awareness of her limits, and a deeper understanding of what it means to keep going even when fear is present.Her message is powerful:You do not need to be fully recovered to live a meaningful life.Alongside living with this uncertainty, Israh has also spent the month fundraising and showing her support for brain tumour charities, including The Brain Tumour Charity and Brain Tumour Research — raising money, raising awareness, and showing others that even in the unknown, purpose is still possible.This episode is for anyone living with uncertainty in their health, anyone struggling with scanxiety, fatigue, or fear of the future, and anyone who needs the reminder that it is still possible to keep showing up.If this episode resonates with you, please share it. Every story helps raise awareness.⚠️ Content note: This episode discusses brain tumour diagnosis, surgery, scanxiety, fear of recurrence, fatigue, and the emotional impact of living with long-term uncertainty.