A WOMAN who has fostered 20 children has told of her terror after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Tina Papworth, 52, said she was “petrified” after being told by doctors she had non-cancerous tumour, which is about the size of a grape, growing on the left side of her brain and could not be ruled out to be fatal. 

The mum-of-two, who works as a foster carer in the city and lives in Kensington Road with her two children and four current foster children, said she started to lose the sight in her left eye two years ago. But she was unaware that it was due to a tumour until she finally underwent a brain scan at Southend Hospital.

She was diagnosed on April 3, and is now on the waiting list for surgery.

Echo: Tina with kids Megan and Freddie Tina with kids Megan and Freddie

Ms Papworth said: “I got the phone call at 3pm. I was petrified and it still bring tears in my eyes because you must face your own mortality.

“I spent the next couple of weeks going to some dark places. I felt very sad, I’ve led a wonderful life but you think about what you’d leave behind.

“I made my will and prepared for the worst-case scenario. The one thing I’m truly grateful for is the NHS.”

She added: “Now I’ve processed it I’m looking at the operation as something to help me regain my eyesight. I know there are side-effects, I could go blind or have a stroke, but I’m looking at it positively.”

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As someone who admitted she previously knew very little about brain tumours, Ms Papworth now wants to raise awareness for other who receive a similar diagnosis that it is not necessarily fatal.

She also encouraged people to get checked up if they felt any issues while advising that Google “is not your friend” when you can see a medical professional instead.

She said: “I want to raise awareness for anyone who got the phone call like I did. Don’t be scared, people are there to help you.

"You’re going to have down days and feel scared but don’t pack a bag and stay there.

“Try and stay optimistic. There’s so much research being done.”