Latest news with #GoodFriday
South Wales Argus
7 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Woman died after brain tumour misdiagnosed as trapped nerve
Helen Arthur, 57, first became unwell on Good Friday in April 2019, experiencing persistent back pain and visual disturbances. Her GP put it down to a trapped nerve but Helen's condition didn't improve. After developing headaches, Helen had an eye test, and her optician thought she may have suffered a minor stroke, so sent her to hospital. A CT scan revealed a mass on Helen's brain and she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain tumour. Helen Arthur died after aggressive brain tumour misdiagnosed as trapped nerve (Image: Brain Tumour Research / SWNS) In May 2019, Helen underwent surgery to remove the tumour, followed by six months of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But a routine monitoring scan in 2021 showed recurrence and Helen underwent another course of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A a further MRI scan revealed multiple inoperable tumours had developed and her condition deteriorated too quickly to treat it. Helen, of from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, died in May 2022, three years since her initial surgery. Helen Arthur died after brain tumour misdiagnosed as trapped nerve. (Image: Brain Tumour Research / SWNS) Helen's husband Brent Arthur said: 'We were told Helen had a brain tumour which was a complete shock. "The doctors said most people survive just two to three years. "Words left me, I was speechless. "We were told there would be a recurrence, but it took us by surprise, we thought we had more time." Helen Arthur died after brain tumour misdiagnosed as trapped nerve. (Image: Brain Tumour Research / SWNS) After Helen's first CT scan, at Prince Charles Hospital in Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, which revealed a mass, she was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Brent recalled getting the awful phone call from his son, revealing the devastating news in May 2019. He said: "I wasn't feeling well so I went to bed and expected our son Benjamin and Helen to be home within a couple of hours. "I got a call from Benjamin saying I needed to go to the hospital. "Confused as to what could be wrong, I went. "That was when our lives changed.' After her surgery, plus six months of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it was thought to have been a success. Helen was monitored with quarterly scans as she continued to live an active life, and spend time with her family and grandchildren. In late 2021, one of these scans showed the recurrence. A further course of treatment was planned, and Helen underwent another course of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A further MRI scan in April 2022 revealed multiple inoperable tumours had developed. Just a week later, Helen's original pathology results showed she had a one-in-three million genetic mutation, which might respond to targeted medication. Sadly, by this point, Helen's condition had deteriorated, and treatment was not possible. Brent said: 'We were all shocked and devastated. "We spent as much time together as possible, with the children and grandchildren. "Seeing Helen decline was difficult for us all.' After she passed, Helen was survived by husband Brent as well as children Emily, 35, and Benjamin, 33, and grandchildren Penny, six, Nora, four, Isaac, three, and Rhoda, one. Helen Arthur 'lived for her family' (Image: Brain Tumour Research / SWNS) Brent said: 'Helen lived for her family. "She was looking forward to reducing her work hours so she could help care for our grandchildren. "That's what hurts the most, she never got to enjoy the role she was so excited for. "All she ever wanted was to be a young nan, but this cruel disease robbed her of that." Brent and his family have now raised more than £5,700 for Brain Tumour Research, enough to fund two days of research at one of the charity's Centres of Excellence. On Father's Day on June 15, Brent completed a 10,000-foot skydive in Helen's memory. Brent said: "Our family has been robbed of a wife, mother and grandmother, and more funding is desperately needed for research. "Without it, other families will continue to face the same heartbreak we've been going through." Each year in the UK, around 3,200 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma, yet just 160 will survive five years or more. Glioblastoma accounts for one in three primary brain tumour diagnoses, and current treatment offers little in the way of long-term hope. Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: 'Helen's story is heartbreaking and all too common. "Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer with limited treatment options and a devastating prognosis. "We are incredibly grateful to Brent and his family for honouring Helen's memory through their fundraising. "It's support like this that helps us push for better outcomes and ultimately a cure."
Extra.ie
9 hours ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Who is Deirdre Heenan? The professor tipped for FF Áras bid
The race for who will be Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate remains open but party members believe that Derry-based academic Deirdre Heenan is ticking a lot of the right boxes. It is reported that Deirdre is An Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micháel Martin's preferred choice of candidate due to her political likeness to Mary McAleese. has taken an in-depth look at the Ulster University professor and the background that has led her to potentially run for Áras an Uachtaráin. Deirdre Heenan with President Michael D Higgins in 2018. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland Born in Annaclone, Co Down, Deirdre was educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University. Now, she lives in Derry with her husband and three sons. Deirdre is a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University and a former Provost of its Coleraine and Magee campuses. She is a member of the Institute for Research in Social Sciences and has published widely on healthcare, education policy, social care and devolution. In 2001, Deirdre was the recipient of a Distinguished Teaching Award and this was followed by a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy in 2006. Professor Deirdre Heenan with former US president Bill Clinton At the University of Ulster in 2010. Pic: Paul Faith –Two years later, she secured an ESRC fellowship and spent nine months as policy adviser in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. In 2011, she was appointed by the health minister to join a five strong panel of experts to oversee a radical review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland and the following year, she was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D Higgins. Professor Deirdre Heehan posing for a selfie with former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to Lifford Bridge in 2018. Pic: Liam McBurney – Pool/Getty Images Deirdre is described by Ulster University as a 'distinguished researcher, author and broadcaster'. Many Fianna Fáil sources told that they first came across the 58-year-old when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. They said: 'I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes. She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday event and would fit the mould of what Micheál (Martin) would want. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA, when, in her view, it is not yet complete, and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels.'
Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Academic Deirdre Heenan in frame for FF Áras bid
Fianna Fáil backbenchers believe Northern university professor Deirdre Heenan 'ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes' as she edges closer to becoming the party's presidential candidate. The party is seeking to emulate its success in the 1997 presidential election when Ms McAleese, a Belfast lawyer and academic, won the election after getting the backing of FF. spoke with several Fianna Fáil sources yesterday, with broad support for Ms Heenan despite some concern raised about 'lack of name recognition'. Professor Deirdre Heenan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland Several of the party sources contacted by this newspaper said that they first came across Ms Heenan when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. 'I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes. She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday event and would fit the mould of what Micheál [Martin] would want,' they said. At the event, Ms Heenan, a professor of social policy, was on stage alongside former Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former minister Martin Mansergh, as well as Mr Martin. Professor Deirdre Heenan and Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2013. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA, when, in her view, it is not yet complete, and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels. She was the most impressive speaker that day,' the source said. A separate party source who also attended the UCD event said her selection would be a 'fresh approach' and she had the benefit of 'not having built up a lot of enemies in the political system as she hasn't been part of it'. In 2012, Ms Heenan was appointed by President Michael D Higgins to his Council of State. The Council of State advises the President when they are considering referring a bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality, refusing to dissolve the Dáil on the advice from the Taoiseach or declaring a state of emergency. The sources said that presidential elections cost a lot of money and that they don't offer much return to the party. 'If you introduce a candidate, like Deirdre, from the six counties and use it not only as to put someone forward for the presidency but to also lead the conversation about what a United Ireland looks like, that could be worthwhile.' Ms Heenan is from Annaclone in Co. Down, educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University and lives in Derry with her husband and three sons. She did not reply to a request for comment last night.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Woman robbed of seeing her grandchildren grow up after being told she had trapped nerve
A mum-of-two diedy from an aggressive brain tumour after her symptoms, which included back pain, were initially diagnosed as a trapped nerve. Helen Arthur, 57, from Merthyr Tydfil, first fell ill on Good Friday in April 2019, when she began to suffer from persistent back pain and visual issues. Her GP attributed the symptoms to a trapped nerve; however, Helen's condition failed to improve. Following the onset of headaches, an eye examination led to her being sent to hospital over concerns she might have had a minor stroke. Subsequent CT scans uncovered a mass on Helen's brain, leading to a diagnosis of glioblastoma, a relentless and terminal brain tumour. In May 2019, Helen underwent an operation to excise the tumour, which was then followed by half a year of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Despite this, a routine scan in 2021 revealed the cancer's return, prompting another round of therapy. Later MRI scans showed the emergence of multiple untreatable tumours, and Helen's health declined too rapidly for further intervention. Helen sadly died in May 2022, three years post her initial surgery. Her husband, Brent Arthur, said: "We were told Helen had a brain tumour, which was a complete shock. The doctors said most people survive just two to three years. "Words left me, I was speechless. We were told there would be a recurrence, but it took us by surprise, we thought we had more time." Following Helen's initial CT scan at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, which detected a mass, she was moved to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Brent recounted the harrowing moment he received the call from his son in May 2019, breaking the grim news. He recalled: "I wasn't feeling well, so I went to bed and expected our son Benjamin and Helen to be home within a couple of hours. I got a call from Benjamin saying I needed to go to the hospital. "Confused as to what could be wrong, I went. That was when our lives changed." Helen underwent surgery and six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which initially seemed successful. She maintained an active lifestyle while being closely observed with quarterly scans. However, a scan in late 2021 revealed the cancer had returned, leading to another round of treatment for Helen, combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy. An MRI in April 2022 showed multiple tumours that were inoperable. Shortly after, it was discovered Helen had a rare genetic mutation potentially treatable with specific drugs, but her health had already declined too far for treatment. Brent said: "We were all shocked and devastated. We spent as much time together as possible, with the children and grandchildren. Seeing Helen decline was difficult for us all." Following her death, Helen left behind her husband Brent, along with children Emily, 35, and Benjamin, 33, plus grandchildren Penny, six, Nora, four, Isaac, three, and Rhoda, one. Brent said: "Helen lived for her family. She was looking forward to reducing her work hours so she could help care for our grandchildren. "That's what hurts the most, she never got to enjoy the role she was so excited for. All she ever wanted was to be a young nan, but this cruel disease robbed her of that." Brent and his relatives have since collected more than £5,700 for Brain Tumour Research, sufficient to support two days of investigation at one of the charity's Centres of Excellence. On Father's Day, Brent undertook a 10,000-foot skydive in Helen's honour. Brent said: "Our family has been robbed of a wife, mother and grandmother and more funding is desperately needed for research. Without it, other families will continue to face the same heartbreak we've been going through." Annually across the UK, approximately 3,200 people receive a glioblastoma diagnosis, though merely 160 will live beyond five years. Glioblastoma represents one in three primary brain tumour cases, with existing treatments providing minimal long-term prospects. Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Helen's story is heartbreaking and all too common. Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer with limited treatment options and a devastating prognosis. "We are incredibly grateful to Brent and his family for honouring Helen's memory through their fundraising. It's support like this that helps us push for better outcomes and ultimately a cure."
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Climate
- South Wales Argus
Pictures: Fun in the sun across Gwent through the years
Crowds enjoying the sunshine at the Big Cheese at Caerphilly Castle in July 2004 Tom and Sharon Edmunds walk their dog Fizz in the sunshine at the Black Rock picnic site near Sudbrook in June 2005 (L-R) Cameron Crandon and Curtis Murphy, both four, play in the swimming pool at Tredegar Park in August 2005 Crowds enjoying the sunshine at Greenmeadow Community Farm on Good Friday, April 2006 Nursery children enjoying the sunshine at Oakdale Infants School in July 2006 Elizabeth Scarpato and her son Kori aged from Pill enjoy their lunch in the sunshine in Newport city centre in May 2008 Steve Rowlands basks in the sunshine near his floating tea room at the canal basin in Pontymoile in December 2008 The first Blaenavon Light Industrial New Wave Gamelan workshop took place at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre in April 2010. Old spanners, decommissioned aqualung cylinders, gear sprockets and car wheel rims were among items used as percussion instruments. The workshop was being led by Chrys Blanchard, back left, the expert behind the three-year project based in Blaenavon. In the foreground, playing the car wheel rims is Hannah Clint of Blaenavon Crowds taking in the dragon boat racing at Monmouth Rowing Club in June 2010 Leah Taylor, left, and Bethany Rodgers doing some Welsh studies in warm spring sunshine on the promenade area that adjoins many of the classrooms at The Archbishop Rowan Williams Church school in Caldicot in March 2011 Joanne Nicholas in the Pontypool Carnival procession in the town centre in July 2011 Rachel Rice pictured enjoying the sunshine in the grounds of Tredegar Park in Newport. Picture: Mike Urwin
