When Lynn received her brain tumour diagnosis her world was turned upside down. She could no longer do the job she loved. But Lynn refused to let her diagnosis determine her future.

“I have had my ups and major downs, but I’m incredibly aware of how lucky I am and that is why I am riding for Brainstrust to help people like me realise that there is a future and to keep fighting”

And now, on July 29th, Lynn Abrahams will take on the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100.

Here is Lynn’s story in her own words:

“My name is Lynn. I am 45 years old and was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour in the October 2010 and I thought my life was over.

I had been waking up with a mouth full of blood after biting through my tongue during my sleep, I went to my dentist and she had a mouth guard made for me. A few weeks later I suffered a grand mal seizure and was taken to hospital for tests, including the inevitable MRI, where I was told that I had a benign 31mm meningioma that was pressing on my brain.

Obviously I was mortified and initially couldn’t handle the news. I became a recluse and refused to leave my bedroom. At the time I was an ambulance driver for the London Ambulance Service and I loved the job, but due to the seizure and driving regulations I lost my license, so eventually lost my job.

I was at my lowest ebb and hated everything.

Luckily I have the best family and friends on the planet so I ploughed my way through all the dark thoughts, listened to my neurosurgeon and had the tumour removed in March 2011.

I decided to fight the London Ambulance Service decision. Eventually I got a job in the LAS call centre and also decided to try for a job working as a Guard for South West Trains. After passing the railway entrance examinations I finally left the LAS and began working for the railway in June 2012, just after completing the London marathon.

Unfortunately the tumour grew back in June 2015 and I had it removed again in October 2015. This time I was advised to have a radiotherapy treatment called Cyberknife once I had healed. In March 2016 I began an aggressive course of Cyberknife at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea.

So, after a second tumour, I needed to put my life back together again but this time I felt stronger and knew what I had to face. I had applied to be a train driver for South West Trains and was accepted on a course in October 2017. So I’m currently learning to drive trains!”

To sponsor Lynn and keep up to date with her challenge, head over to her fundraising page

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