Bedford woman’s two-week-long tinnitus with severe headache was sign of brain cancer – Bedfordshire Live

A woman from Bedford is set to tackle a charity challenge to raise money for brain tumour research. Teresa Thorius has been inspired by her sister-in-law’s own brain tumour.

Emma Elliott, also from Bedford, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in July last year. The diagnosis came after she suffered from what she thought was tinnitus for two weeks and then a severe headache which prompted her to go to A&E.

The 48-year-old, who worked for the NHS for 25 years, including as a midwife before retraining as a health visitor, underwent a debulking surgery, followed by six weeks of daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She is about to start the final stage of six months of chemotherapy.

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Teresa, who is 50, is now taking part in the Brain Tumour Research charity’s Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge in honour of Emma.

“Everybody loves Emma; she lights up a room and just cares so much. For the last 25 years all she’s done is help everybody else through her work and she has found it hard to give up her career.

“After the operation, they said she might not be able to see properly in one eye and, although she hasn’t lost her sight, everything is more peripheral. The fatigue from the treatment has been her biggest frustration and noise can be difficult for her to be around for a while after each treatment but, overall, she’s been alright.

Teresa Thorius is getting ready to tackle a charity challenge
(Image: Teresa Thorius/Brain Tumour Research)

“She’s so positive; she’s a fighter and isn’t going to give in. Emma feels so lucky to have so many people raising money for research; her daughter Bethany and niece Emily did the charity’s 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge and her local pub, The Bluebell, held a charity golf day which together raised more than £7,500.

“The love and positivity from family and friends has been amazing and keeps her positive every day.”

Teresa, a self-employed reflexologist and therapy assistant, will be completing her challenge throughout the month of May and is planning to go further than the prescribed distance.

She said: “I still play netball and am the oldest in my team. I’ve always been sporty and, although I’ve not got a natural runner’s build, I did start running last Christmas and found that I loved it.

“I’m aiming to do more than 26.2 miles and want to raise as much money as I …….

Source: https://www.bedfordshirelive.co.uk/news/bedfordshire-news/beds-mum-tackles-charity-challenge-7070137