Mhairi's Story
Not long after my son’s 21st birthday, in October of 2020, he was diagnosed with a Stage 2 brain tumour. We remained hopeful and by the December, Ruari had surgery to remove the tumour, and a few months later started his treatment.
Unfortunately, due to where the tumour was located, they were not able to remove it all, but we remained positive and Ruari recovered amazingly. He had speech therapy to help him recover, and he slowly started improving, even getting back to his work at the beginning of 2022.
Mhairi’s advice to others who are navigating loss and grief:
“Take all the help you can get, there is support out there. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
Mhairi accessed support through ACS
I started accessing support from ACS in 2021, when Ruari began his treatment. Ruari accessed the transport service, using this to take him for his treatment. I have accessed various support through complementary therapy, counselling, and have attended the Navigating Loss and Grief Course.
Ruari was full of life, loved golf, football, and had a great group of friends. Things had gotten better, and Ruari was doing really well, but towards the end of 2023, he started to develop some symptoms again. We were immediately referred for a scan, and sadly received the news that Ruari’s tumour was back, and there was nothing that could be done.
Ruari was full of life, loved golf, football, and had a great group of friends. Things had gotten better, and Ruari was doing really well, but towards the end of 2023, he started to develop some symptoms again. We were immediately referred for a scan, and sadly received the news that Ruari’s tumour was back, and there was nothing that could be done.
Ruari remained as positive as he always had been, and fought a courageous battle for 6 months but sadly passed on the 9th of March 2024.
I attend the Bereavement Café fortnightly, and this has been a safe haven for me. The support I have received from ACS, and other service users has been a life line. I would encourage anyone who is affected by cancer to use these wonderful services.
If you are affected by cancer, or anything shared as part of Mhairi’s story, and need support, contact us (visit ayrshirecs.org or call 01563 538008).
You can help us to continue to support people in Ayrshire, like Mhairi and Ruari, by donating today.
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