Southend mother awaiting brain tumour surgery

Tina Papworth, of Southend, was diagnosed with a low-grade sphenoid wing meningioma last month following a referral made during a routine eye test.

The 53-year-old, who has fostered 18 children over 10 years and has two biological children, said: “The best £10 I ever spent was at Boots Opticians, in Southend High Street, in March 2020.

“I went in for a regular eye test and they asked if I wanted to spend an extra tenner to have a field vision test. I didn’t have any problems with my eyes but knew I was getting older and thought ‘why not?’

Tina Papworth and son Freddie

“They picked up an abnormality and referred me to an eye clinic at Southend Hospital, but that appointment was delayed for about a year because of Covid-19.

When Tina received her shock diagnosis on 4 April, she was “knocked for six”.

“The consultant said they’d found a large tumour that was in a tricky, deep place but that they were going to drill into my skull to remove it,” she said.

Megan and Tina Papworth

“I was sitting down at the time and had tears running down my face. It was like a wave came over me and I just shut down. Deep, tricky and large aren’t three words you want to hear associated with your brain tumour.”

Now awaiting a craniotomy, for which she has been given the provisional date of June 16.

John and Tina Papworth

Tina is working with the charity Brain Tumour Research to share her story.

She said: “I want my children to see me as a positive, brave person. I’m not crumbling to bits. I have my moments, obviously, but I’m going to fight this. I’ve also decided to choose happiness.

“We’re only on this planet for a limited time anyway; no one makes it out alive so I’m not going to let my brain tumour sadden my days here. I’m going to be happy despite it and I want my children to see that so they choose happiness as well.”