Leah Jensen, a talented artist, discovered she was facing a battle with brain cancer when she suddenly lost her ability to speak. Despite experiencing headaches and memory lapses for years, Leah had dismissed her symptoms, attributing her headaches to fatigue. In 2020, while working at a bar in South East London, she initially thought she was suffering from a migraine. However, her condition worsened as her vision became blurry, she struggled to comprehend speech, and could only utter “um” when prompted.
After an ambulance was called, Leah embarked on an eight-month journey that culminated in the diagnosis of Grade Three brain cancer. Leah, known for her sculpting and ceramics work showcased in prestigious exhibitions, recalled the onset of her symptoms while working during a transitional period between lockdowns.
Despite initially believing her symptoms were temporary, Leah’s partner, Mike Clark, played a crucial role in ensuring she received medical attention. Doctors suspected a brain tumor, leading to an operation to remove the mass. Following the surgery, Leah underwent intensive treatment, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, to eradicate any remaining cancer cells.
Leah chronicled her cancer journey in a handcrafted fabric diary, soon to be exhibited at The Fitzrovia Chapel under the title ‘Brain Tumour Book – Artist Leah Jensen’s Journey Through Cancer Diagnosis to Treatment.’ Additionally, she is actively fundraising for the Brain Tumour Charity to support research and awareness efforts.
Leah’s resilience and creativity have been instrumental in her coping with the challenges posed by her illness. Despite the daunting statistics associated with high-grade brain tumors, Leah remains optimistic and continues to share her story to raise awareness and support others facing similar battles with cancer.