My GBM Journey

by Jenny Flett

In October 2021, Jenny Flett was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, grade 4 brain cancer. The news was a shock to Jenny, her husband Dennis and their three daughters. Since then Jenny has had to endure a series of aggressive treatments including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. However with the love and support of her family, friends and community, she has come through her treatment and is getting on with her life in rural Taranaki. Jenny shares her story with Brain Tumour Support NZ.

BTSNZ: Tell us a little about yourself…

My name is Jenny Flett, I live an idyllic life in rural Taranaki surrounded by my wonderful family and some great friends and neighbours.

BTSNZ: Tell us about your brain tumour journey…

In early 2020 my husband Den and I moved to Christchurch for a new job. With the onset of Covid on top of a fresh start in an unfamiliar city, life was understandably very stressful. In the lead up to Christmas I started to experience nerve pain around my neck and down my head. A diagnosis of shingles ensued and I endured a couple of months of severe pain. In mid 2021, I found myself struggling to concentrate and started having issues with coordination. I realised it was time to see a doctor.

The doctor initially diagnosed me with sinus pain and sent me on my way. When my headaches started to intensify in the spring of 2021, my GP sent me to the acute assessment unit at Christchurch Hospital where they discovered a large, aggressive looking tumour in my right temporal lobe.

My family was devastated. We all felt that I had been given my death sentence.

The following day I underwent surgery to remove the tumour. After a few weeks of quite scary complications due to the surgery, I was cleared to start radiation treatment.

Radiotherapy to the brain is not pleasant however oddly enough I did gain some comfort from my radiation mask. It remained my ‘friend’ during the radiation phase which allowed me to relax and even sleep during each session.

Apart from some ongoing after affects from surgery and radiation, my treatment went well. I had no reaction or side effects from the temozolomide (chemotherapy) at all, which was a real blessing.

I have been so grateful for the many supportive people that have gathered around me and my family over the past couple of years. These include wider family, friends, our church community and organisations like Brain Tumour Support NZ and the Cancer Society.

BTSNZ: How has the brain tumour impacted or changed your life?

I reflect now on the radical impact my diagnosis had on my life and that of my entire family. It happened literally overnight. Everything changed. Not only was my official diagnosis delivered to us in a manner that made us all believe that my time on earth was short but after my period of treatment it started to slowly dawn on me that I was not the same person that I used to be. My personality was different which required a lot of patience to be exercised by my family, particularly my husband Den. Sometimes I feel like a bit of the “old Jen” has come back, but then I say or do something which gets a reaction and I know that I will never be the same again.

BTSNZ: Any final thoughts?

I have learnt so much from this journey. I have had to accept that my life expectancy is not great. I believe I have come to terms with my mortality which has given me some level of peace about the future. I am convinced I am now a better person. Learning to accept my limitations and rely on others has been very humbling. Seeing my family rallying around me, loving me despite all my changes brings me to tears.

To my family, Den, Teresa, Sam, Hannah, Kelly Ben and all our wider family, I love you so much xxx.

Jenny Flett, February 2024