Where There’s Life, There’s Hope | Elisabeth’s Brain Cancer Story

An episode of the Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show podcast, hosted by Claire Bullimore, titled "Where There’s Life, There’s Hope | Elisabeth’s Brain Cancer Story" was published on March 29, 2026 and runs 16 minutes.

March 29, 2026 ·16m · Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show

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Summary

Elisabeth was 35 when a sharp pain in her head woke her in the night.What followed was a terrifying chain of events: repeated trips to hospital, being told it was unlikely to be serious, worsening headaches, vomiting, collapse in A&E, and eventually an MRI that revealed a mass on her brain.She was alone when she was told.It later emerged that for eight days, Elisabeth had been living through a brain haemorrhage.In this powerful and deeply honest interview, Elisabeth shares her journey with glioblastoma — from diagnosis during COVID, to multiple craniotomies, paralysis down her left side, learning to walk again, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, recurrence, and the reality of living far beyond what many people expect from this diagnosis.Elisabeth speaks openly about:• Being diagnosed alone during the pandemic• Her mum fighting to get her transferred to specialist care• The failed biopsy that led to life-saving surgery• Learning to walk again after being left paralysed on one side• Multiple surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy• The exhaustion of treatment while raising two young children• Finding humour in the darkest moments — including “Cancer Carpool Karaoke”• Why she calls the things she looks forward to her “glimmers”• Support from St Christopher’s Hospice and why hospice care needs reframing• Fundraising through music and bringing people together• Choosing to live fully, even in the face of uncertaintyElisabeth’s story is raw, funny, heartbreaking and full of fight.Her message is clear:Speak up. Ask questions. Keep going. Where there’s life, there’s hope.This episode is part of a 31-day series sharing real brain tumour stories for Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2026.If this episode resonates with you, please share it. Every story helps raise awareness.⚠️ Content note: This episode discusses glioblastoma, brain haemorrhage, repeated surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, disability, hospice care, and living with a life-limiting diagnosis.

Episode Description

Elisabeth was 35 when a sharp pain in her head woke her in the night.

What followed was a terrifying chain of events: repeated trips to hospital, being told it was unlikely to be serious, worsening headaches, vomiting, collapse in A&E, and eventually an MRI that revealed a mass on her brain.

She was alone when she was told.

It later emerged that for eight days, Elisabeth had been living through a brain haemorrhage.

In this powerful and deeply honest interview, Elisabeth shares her journey with glioblastoma — from diagnosis during COVID, to multiple craniotomies, paralysis down her left side, learning to walk again, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, recurrence, and the reality of living far beyond what many people expect from this diagnosis.

Elisabeth speaks openly about:
• Being diagnosed alone during the pandemic
• Her mum fighting to get her transferred to specialist care
• The failed biopsy that led to life-saving surgery
• Learning to walk again after being left paralysed on one side
• Multiple surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy
• The exhaustion of treatment while raising two young children
• Finding humour in the darkest moments — including “Cancer Carpool Karaoke”
• Why she calls the things she looks forward to her “glimmers”
• Support from St Christopher’s Hospice and why hospice care needs reframing
• Fundraising through music and bringing people together
• Choosing to live fully, even in the face of uncertainty

Elisabeth’s story is raw, funny, heartbreaking and full of fight.

Her message is clear:
Speak up. Ask questions. Keep going. Where there’s life, there’s hope.

This episode is part of a 31-day series sharing real brain tumour stories for Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2026.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it. Every story helps raise awareness.

⚠️ Content note: This episode discusses glioblastoma, brain haemorrhage, repeated surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, disability, hospice care, and living with a life-limiting diagnosis.