A WOMAN says her mum's brain tumour has affected her memory so much "it's as if we're living back in 2012".

Gillian Wilson, 54, was told she had a craniopharyngioma brain tumour in May 2010 and has since had 17 operations and radiotheraphy to treat it. 

Her daughter Alisha is now taking part in 10,000 Steps a Day in February to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. 

The charity funds research into brain tumours at dedicated centres in the UK and campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and ultimately to find a cure. 

Glasgow Times:

Alisha, from Bridgeton, says her mums memory is regressing as a result of her brain tumour. 

The 25-year-old said: "The brain tumour and subsequent treatments have left Mum with lots of serious health matters, including two types of diabetes because her pituitary gland was removed.

"Her memory is regressing; she remembers when my sister, Abbie, and I were little kids, as if we were living back in 2012.

"She still refers to Abbie, who is now 15, as the bairn.

"I’m raising money for Brain Tumour Research because this is a cause that’s really close to my heart.

"Who knows where my mum would be if it wasn’t for all of the research that has already been done?

"If we can get funding for more research, then maybe others don’t need to go through what Mum has."

Glasgow Times:

Before she was diagnoses, Gillian had been suffering from strong headaches and dizziness and was forgetful at time. 

Her GP said she had migraines and stress but in 2010 she complained of an unbearable pain in her head and was sent for an eye test. 

The optician spotted something behind Gillian's eye and sent her to Southern General Hospital where an MRI scan revealed a mass behind her pituitary gland. 

Surgeons removed most of the tumour in June 2010 and in the following months Gillian was doing well.

However in September she became forgetful as the tumour had grown back and had filled up with fluid, so surgeons needed to operate to insert a shunt.

Glasgow Times:

Alisha, who who is studying childhood development at Glasgow Kelvin College, explained: "The shunt managed to drain the fluid, but a few days later it had filled up again, so they operated on her again to fit a second shunt.

"Since the first operation she had several setbacks leading to another 10 operations between then and September 2010."

Gillian underwent six weeks of radiotheraphy which resulted in her losing her hair, and in 2012 the double shunt stopped working which led to Gillian having another six operations to resolve the issue. 

Gillian continues to live at home with her partner Paddy, 54, who is her full time carer. 

Alisha has raised more than £2500 for Brain Tumour Research through a number of fundraising events since her mum's diagnosis. 

As well as taking part in 10,000 Steps a Day, she will take part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk on Sunday, April 28. 

Katrina Jones, head of community fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: "We’re really grateful to Alisha for taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Gillian who are forced to fight this awful disease."

You can view Alisha's fundraiser HERE.