'My tumour won't go away but I'm grateful to be alive'

Suzanne Davies with her family

Every six months Suzanne Davies answers the phone and hopes to hear three words: "Suz, it’s stable".

The Aberdeen woman was diagnosed with a brain tumour 10 years ago, but has defied initial predictions that she only had a year to live.

Ms Davies was aged 35 when she discovered "out of nowhere" that she had glioblastoma (GBM).

In the decade since the mother-of-two has raised over £100,000 for charity and is continuing to call for further funding to research the condition.

According to Cancer Research UK, only 11% of people live for 10 years after a brain tumour is diagnosed.

Ms Davies' initial diagnosis came after noticing problems with tiredness and speech issues, which led to the discovery she had a tumour that had been growing for more than a year.

It was already at stage four, with glioblastoma one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

She underwent surgery, which she chose to remain awake for - a decision she believes had long-lasting repercussions.

She told BBC Scotland's Mornings programme: "I was meant to feel nothing. I remember closing my eyes tight and thinking that something was sore, and straight away my speech therapist told my surgeon to stop.

"I think that’s one of the reasons I’m still here."

Ms Davies feels being able to show her discomfort helped the surgeon when performing the procedure on her tumour.

But although the surgery went well, she was given more bad news almost immediately afterwards,

"I went to my consultant and without me even wanting to know, he just went ahead and said I had a year to live, and if I had chemo it would be eight more weeks [on top of the year].

'So grateful'

Ms Davies has suffered several health problems in the ensuing decade, including seizures, memory problems, continued fatigue and balance issues that cause her to fall.

As a result she no longer drives and the family have moved to a bungalow.

Ms Davies has also been forced to give up work.

However she retains an optimistic outlook, given that she has already surpassed the early predictions for her life.

She undergoes an MRI every six months to check the state of the tumour, hoping to learn that it is remaining stable.

Ms Davies added: "It’s tough, don’t get me wrong... but I feel so grateful to still be here. I just deal with whatever comes at that time."

"My tumour is never going to go [away] and there is no cure yet but I’m determined to do what I can."

That includes helping out charities such as Brain Tumour Research, who have helped support Mrs Davies since 2014.

The group's Hugh Adams told BBC Scotland News that only by continuing to research the disease can a cure be found.

He added: "There is a very simple equation here. If you put more money into research then you will get closer to cures."

Although there is no cure Ms Davies continues to cope by being as positive as possible.

She added: "I’d read a book called The Secret before I got ill and it’s all about positivity.

"All I need to do is look at my husband, and my kids, and the rest of my family, and think 'I’m going nowhere'."