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   It simply isn’t possible to express within a web page the life changing world you find yourself in when your child is diagnosed with a brain tumour. It is fightening enough to hear that an adult has one, but when we were told just how ill Lauren was, the pain was virtually unbearable.

   The 23rd October 2003 is a date which changed our world forever. Lauren, who was just 7 years old, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Her symptoms had appeared very quickly, in just a matter of days in fact. We will never, ever forget the moment we were given the devastating news by the specialists investigating Lauren's case. The weeks that followed were pure hell.

   In Lauren's case the brain tumour was quite large, and it was located in a region of the brain known as the CP Angle. The planning for its removal was so complex that Lauren waited for three months for her neurosurgery to be carried out by leading neurosurgeon Patrick Foy at the world leading Walton Centre. On the day she went down to theatre, she was there for over 10 hours, double the original estimate given to us at the pre-op. meetings. Lauren remained in hospital for over 2 weeks.

   It is fair to say that her recovery has never really stopped since that day. Sadly, this first operation did leave her with lifelong and permanent physical conditions, some of which require a strict daily routine to deal with.

   Typically like many other very sick children, Lauren has never shown any sign of self-pity. What she has done is get on with her life in as normal a way as is possible.

   Sadly, in May 2006, we had to go through the whole painful process all over again. Another brain tumour had formed, and the only option open to Lauren was for repeat surgery. Lauren underwent this surgery at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool in June 2006, under the direction of leading peadiatric neurosurgeon Connor Mallucci. Unfortunately, we are currently still dealing with the additional issues and consequences of the second operation at this moment in time. What has become clear, is that Lauren will now require close point monitoring of her genetic and physiological development for the rest of her life.

   In September 2006, quite out of the blue for Lauren, she received a letter from Buckingham Palace, confirming that the Queen had been made aware of Lauren's condition. Her Majesty was sorry to hear of this, and wished Lauren a speedy recovery.

Anthony Croxford- November 2006