Mum's post about battling a brain tumour is inspirational

Life throws things are us when we least expect it, and it is how we cope with the situation that makes us human. 

One woman who knows about this all too well is Eileen, who, after coming so close to death, felt like she had so much more energy to live.

The mum was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 31, something that changed her perspective on life.

She was fit and healthy, had never suffered a serious headache before, and the news came like a bolt out of the blue. 

"I got the news that my friend had a baby, so I went to visit them, and I remember walking up to the crib all excited. While I was looking in I suddenly felt like ‘oh my God, I’m going to fall on this baby'," she wrote on the Humans of Dublin Facebook page.

"So I hurled myself backwards, fell on the corner of the bed behind me and then hit the floor. What followed was an epileptic fit, but I can’t remember anything from then on.

"They took me to the hospital and did various tests to discover a huge tumour in my brain. I never even had a serious head ache before. I was 31, healthy, working and with two small kids. I was a busy mom. My husband was shocked; but we didn’t really have time to worry.

"We had kids to take care of. Suddenly our lives turned into survival mode. One day at a time, as they say. Eventually, time passed and the surgery went well, and after a few months I was healthy again."

And while the ordeal must have been incredibly hard on both her and her family, the young mum came out on the other side with a different perspective on life. 

"Being so close to death can really change the way you see the world. It’s like seeing everything in colour after living a life in black and white. It felt somehow like I had become gifted and had so much energy to liv," she continued.

"We take life for granted, but it can really turn around in a single moment. If you asked me what was the most important thing I learned, it was to try not stress so much about tomorrow, because if you keep being worried about it, you'll only see today in black and white."

And unsurprisingly, Eileen's story has had a positive impact on readers, with many thanking her for sharing. 

"I currently work on brain tumour research and it's stories like this that make me work that little bit harder. Thank you for sharing," wrote one. 

Another said: "Wise words…thank you for sharing. Such an inspirational story. Wishing you a lifetime of good health and happiness."