'All Helen wanted was to be a nan to her grandchildren'

A MUM-OF-TWO died from an aggressive brain tumour after her back pain was initially diagnosed as a trapped nerve.

- STEVEN SMITH Reporter [e-mail]

Helen Arthur, 57, first became unwell on Good Friday in April 2019, experiencing persistent back pain and visual disturbances.

Her GP put it down to a trapped nerve, but Helen’s condition didn’t improve. After developing headaches, Helen had an eye test and her optician thought she may have suffered a minor stroke, so sent her to hospital.

A CT scan revealed a mass on Helen’s brain and she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain tumour. In May 2019, Helen underwent surgery to remove the tumour, followed by six months of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

But a routine monitoring scan in 2021 showed recurrence and Helen underwent another course of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A further MRI scan revealed multiple inoperable tumours had developed and her condition deteriorated too quickly to treat it.

Helen, from Merthyr Tydfil, died in May 2022, three years after her initial surgery.

Helen’s widower, Brent Arthur, said: “We were told Helen had a brain tumour, which was a complete shock. The doctors said most people survive just two to three years.

“Words left me, I was speechless. We were told there would be a recurrence, but it took us by surprise, we thought we had more time.”