Star readers send heartfelt messages of support to mum after brain tumour diagnosis

Laura Elizabeth Mahon, 29, from Lea Green, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in September 2021.

Laura and her husband, Danny, 28, first realised something was wrong when, at 20 weeks pregnant, she woke up and couldn’t move her toes.

READ MORE > Woman give sbirth at 30 weeks after being diagnosed with terminal brain tumour

Laura’s GP thought her baby was pressing against a nerve. He sent her to The Walton Centre for an MRI scan of her back. It came back clear, but she was sent for another MRI scan on her brain to make sure everything was OK.

She was told the devastating news that she had a brain tumour which had likely been there for years and had now started growing.

Doctors told Laura that this was a very unique case, and they wanted to monitor her before deciding what to do.

But when she was 27 weeks pregnant, she became very unwell and her and Danny made the tough decision to bring their daughter into the world at 30 weeks.

Laura and baby daughter Sienna in hospital

On November 30 2021, Sienna Grace Laura Mahon was born, weighing just 3.4lbs, at Warrington Hospital.

Sienna was taken to the neonatal ward and placed in an incubator.

She developed pneumothorax - a collapsed lung – so she was transferred to Royal Oldham Hospital to receive more specialised care.

Laura discharged herself from Warrington Hospital to be with Sienna and her an Danny followed her to Oldham, where she was put in an incubator for a week.

On December 9, Laura had an MRI scan which revealed the tumour had nearly doubled in size.

She was told that it was now inoperable because it was on her motor cortex, and it wouldn’t be safe to remove it. A biopsy was performed but they were only able to remove around 20 per cent of it.

On December 22 2021, Laura received the results of her biopsy.

She said: “Danny and I had prepared ourselves for the worst. We knew deep down what it was going to be but being told at 29 years old that you have inoperable stage 4 brain cancer and that I had just two years to live is something you can never prepare yourself for.

“Hearing that said out loud was a moment we’ll never forget.”

Because of her prognosis, there were certain things Laura wanted to do. She and Danny had got engaged in April 2021, so they decided to get married on January 6 2022.

But two days before, she had her first ever seizure. Fortunately, after resting for a day, they were able to tie the knot as planned.

The next day, the newlyweds registered Sienna’s birth, and on January 8 she had her christening in a chapel at Warrington Hospital, and staff organised a party with food and presents.

Laura, Danny and Sienna in hospital

The following week, Laura started a six-week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A week later, on January 17, Sienna left hospital weighing five pounds.

At the start of April, an MRI scan showed that the tumour had stabilised, and had even shrunk a bit.

Laura said: “That was such a massive relief, and it was so nice to hear something positive.

“Right now, we’re trying to get out and do nice things to make memories together, but I need to take each day as it comes. It’s hard at times and I just break down and cry. But Sienna’s lung has repaired itself and she is completely fine now.

“I see others with GBMs who manage to live longer, so I am clinging to the idea that I might be one of those people. I’m fighting as hard as I can and I’m staying strong for my family.”

Star readers on social media expressed heartfelt admiration after reading of Laura’s inspiring story.

Eunice Liderth wrote:

“You are an inspiration of what your going through, your little baby will spur you on. And give you Hope. I hope you see your daughter grow up be here for her for many more years to come. You have touched a lot of us, and you're helping others with the same fight as you. I wish you all the luck in the world to good health for you and many others.   xxxx”

Rachel Louise added: “Keep fighting Laura 

“I hope you have many many years to see your beautiful daughter grow up xx

“This story has really touched me 

Inspirational lady xxx”

Andrew Daniels said: “So inspirational Laura through all your adversity striving to help the others facing the same fight ”.

Carole Ohare wrote: “Wishing you all the luck in the world hope you have many more happy and healthy years with your lovely family.xxxx”.