SCHOOL receptionist Lynn Love’s world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour.

Lynn’s illness started to manifest itself a year ago when she noticed a sudden change in the co-ordination of her movements.

At first it was thought Lynn had suffered a mini stroke but she was eventually diagnosed as having an aggressive and incurable brain tumour.

Lynn, 59, from Colchester, said: “That turned our whole lives upside down and at that time we didn’t realise how serious it was.

“The doctor told us I had 18 months. You can imagine what a shock that was.

“I was quite a healthy person. I had a healthy diet and did my best to do as much exercise as I could although it wasn’t really my thing.

“Everybody said they couldn’t believe this had happened to me. I was walking to work each day and lots of friends had had Fitbits for Christmas and we were challenging each other.

“But one day I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.”

Lynn ended up in a London hospital under a team, specialising in the treatment of her type of tumour.

She continued: “I had an operation and the neurosurgeon, a wonderful man, was able to remove 80 per cent of the brain tumour but he had to leave 20 per cent of the tumour behind as it was too dangerous to remove it.

“I have lost mobility in my right leg and some of my right arm and I had trouble organising physiotherapy when I left hospital.

“The hospital oncology nurse suggested I try the hospice team. I have to say I had a bit of a problem with that word because of its connotations but I should not have worried at all. The hospice is a very happy place.

“She put me in touch with Sally, a senior physiotherapist at St Helena Hospice, and I have to say I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She’s absolutely wonderful and brilliant and it’s so easy because we just compare diaries and see when we are free.

“She is pushing me, which is what I need, and we’ve got a really good relationship. I also see Anne, an occupational therapist and Chris, a rehabilitation assistant.”

Lynn has taken part in yoga at the hospice on Tuesdays and a Hand and Mind class on Fridays, good for helping her to regain mobility in her hands.

She now attends a respite and reablement session on a Monday, which includes treatments, socialising, lunch as a group, exercises, quizzes and afternoon tea.

Lynn said: “I am so pleased with all the support I have had from St Helena Hospice.

“My family have, of course, found this really tough to deal with. My daughter Hannah, 28, works and lives in London so it’s really hard for her.

“My son, Alex, 30, and daughter-in-law live in Great Horkesley so they are quite close.

“My husband Will, 59, has become my full-time carer and this is tough on him as well. One of the things I miss most is sharing the cooking but luckily he is a brilliant cook so I still eat well.”

While Lynn faces struggles in her daily life she still wanted to show her thanks to the hospice for its support.

As such, she is taking part in the hospice’s fundraiser, the Midnight Walk.

For this she has enlisted some help in the form of friends and former colleagues from the Gilberd School in Colchester.

They will push her in her wheelchair around the seven and a half mile route.

Lynn said: “I decided it was about time to give something back so I thought I would see whether I could drum up some support from friends who are taking part on St Helena Hospice’s Midnight Walk.

“I’m delighted to say I have quite a group of colleagues, friends and family who have volunteered to push me around in a wheelchair.

“My fundraising has been going well and at the last look it was over £2,500 – phenomenal.”

As well as the friends from Gilberd School, Lynn will be supported on the mile walk by her sister-in-law Sue Brook, friend Sue Arif and Wendy Rowe and Ali Ross who are both ex-Gilberd staff.

Students from Gilberd will be participating in a non-uniform day onMay 26 to sponsor Lynn and the team on their Midnight Walk.

The hospice’s ninth annual Midnight Walk is taking place on May 27 with the theme, Disco Divas.

The event is open to women aged 11 and over, and participants can take the three mile or 7.5 mile route, both starting and finishing at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester.

Wendy Marcon, events and challenges manager, said: “St Helena Hospice’s Midnight Walk is always a wonderful night – there’s a buzzing atmosphere and feeling of solidarity among our marvellous ladies.

“Many walk in memory of a loved one or because the hospice has supported them personally.

“Along the route there will be an opportunity to have a quiet moment to attach a personal message on a special tree stationed at Colchester Rugby Club.

“Many others take part simply for a fabulous fun girls’ night out and to raise money for their hospice.”

By booking a Midnight Walk place before noon on May 26, participants can save £5 on the registration fee. Register here or call 01206 931468 to book.