A family have been left "shattered" after a mum-of-two died just months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Lesley Hughes, 68, was rushed to hospital after suffering an "out of the blue" seizure in December 2020.
Paramedics originally thought she had suffered a stroke, but after tests the following January, doctors found a tumour on her brain.
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Her daughter Lisa, 35, told the ECHO there had been no warning signs in the lead up to her mum's seizure.
She added: "The paramedics thought she’d had a stroke. They took her to Arrowe Park Hospital and she was put into an induced coma.
"An MRI scan later revealed that she had a brain tumour, which would need to be removed with surgery.
"Typical of mum, she seemed to take it all in her stride and busied herself making sure everyone else was OK, rather than worrying about herself. That’s the kind of person she was; very caring and maternal."
In February, Lesley, a retired childminder from Birkenhead, had a craniotomy to debulk her tumour.
The surgery, which took place at The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Liverpool, happened later than originally planned, after she contracted COVID-19 in hospital.
Lisa said: "The surgeons managed to remove the majority of the tumour and she recovered well, although her speech and memory were slightly affected and she appeared disorientated.
"I still felt like it was my mum though and that was such a relief."
The biopsy results revealed Lesley had a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – an aggressive tumour with a devastatingly short average survival time of just 12-18 months.
She was referred to oncology and underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy under the care of the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Bebington.
Lisa said: "Mum was exhausted while she was going through treatment but, amazingly, she still managed to cook and take care of her beautiful garden.
"As we were still in the throes of the Covid-19 lockdown, mum considered herself extremely vulnerable and chose to stay in all the time. It was really tough for her.
"In June, she began to deteriorate both physically and cognitively. She had more scans but we asked not to be told the results, as we feared the disease had spread.
"Deep down, we knew it wasn’t good news, as all the signs were there. The decision was made for her to receive palliative care at home."
Lesley died at 2.10am on 23 August, 2021 with Lisa and Lisa’s sister Stephanie, 38, by her side.
Lisa said: "Losing mum has been completely shattering for me, Stephanie, her mum Pat and all those who knew and loved her.
"Arranging a funeral under the coronavirus restrictions was difficult, as the number of mourners was limited. Still, we managed to have a fitting send-off for her, to celebrate the wonderful person she was."
As she continues to come to terms with her shocking loss, Lisa has turned to fundraising in Lesley’s memory.
She said: "I am aiming to raise at least £2,740, the amount it costs to sponsor a day of research at The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
"The team at QMUL focuses primarily on research into GBM, the most common and aggressive form of brain tumour in adults.
"If we’re successful in raising that amount, my grandmother, sister and I will be able to have a unique tile, including a special message, placed on the Centre’s Wall of Hope, which would be a wonderful way of honouring my mum.
"She is missed every single day and I promised to continue her legacy."
Lisa’s fundraising has got underway with a six-mile Walk of Hope and she’s also taking part in the 100 Star Jumps in November challenge.
Lisa said: "Before mum’s diagnosis, I’d never even heard of GBM. More understanding is desperately needed and that’s why I’m so keen to raise awareness, as well as helping to fund the fight against this awful disease.
"Mum was never one for making a fuss; she’d want us to carry on and be happy but I think she’d be proud of what we’re doing in her memory and to help make a difference to other brain tumour patients in the future."
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research in memory of Lesley, please visit: www.gofundme.com/f/a-tile-for-lesley-on-the-wall-of-hope
