Isle of Sheppey mum embarks on half-marathon after being told she might never walk again
'I was told I would probably never walk again and, although I accepted what they told me, I never accepted that was how my life was going to be.'
A Kentish woman who was paralysed from a stroke she suffered following brain surgery is undertaking a challenge that will see her complete a half-marathon in her home.
Brain tumour patient Denise Fincham, of Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, was diagnosed with three meningiomas in May 2020 after suffering from debilitating headaches and sudden vomiting.
The 39-year-old underwent surgery six months later to remove the largest of her tumours but suffered a bleed on her brain and a stroke, which left her paralysed from her neck down.
Denise spent months trapped in a hospital bed being hoisted to a commode and a wheelchair and was put on ‘suicide watch’ after claiming she no longer wanted to live.
She endured intensive rehabilitation after which she was told it was unlikely she would ever walk again and suffered a further setback after a fall led to her having a full hip replacement.
She said: “I was at the rehab centre until mid-April 2021 and didn’t see my son, James, for a three-month period and, being a stay-at-home mum, that broke my heart.”
She added “I was told I would probably never walk again and, although I accepted what they told me, I never accepted that was how my life was going to be. I just couldn’t see myself being in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.”
Now, in recognition of national Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and having learned to walk again using aides, she is determined to complete a 13.1-mile distance in her home during March to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research.
She said: “I originally wanted to complete a full marathon distance but after trying to do the steps I needed, I was so tired that I had a seizure and had to re-evaluate what was possible.
"My physio said it was probably a good idea not to push myself so hard and suggested a half-marathon because the more I do the stronger I will become. Ideally, I’d like to push to raise £1,000 for the charity.”
She added: “People say to me that I’m an inspiration but I take my inspiration from my husband of 12 years because what I’ve had to go through is nothing compared to what he has.
"Michael is amazing. He works full time, does all the washing and cleaning, walks the dog, looks after our nine-year-old son and, on top of that, he looks after me.
“My friend told me I should buy a lottery ticket because I’m due some good luck but I feel like the luckiest person alive because, not only am I alive, but I’ve got my two boys who are absolutely amazing.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Denise’s story is a stark reminder that even the treatments for brain tumours can have devastating, life-changing effects. Improving treatment options for patients is a focus of ours, as well as, ultimately, finding a cure.
"We’re so grateful for supporters like Denise who are doing everything they can to help us raise the funds needed to ensure this happens as quickly as possible. We wish her the best of luck with her challenge and her continued recovery.”
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