patricia griffin

Happy grandmother #FindBertie

[Charlotte's Battle Against Glioblastoma (BAG) @alexeades1]

I’m getting ready to meet with my small group of four Year 7s on Wednesday. We’ll be focusing on anxiety.

I’ve been out shopping and bought a notepad and pen for each of them. I’ve found in my own experience that writing things down really helps when I’m trying to understand how I’m feeling. Sometimes it’s easier to put thoughts on paper first.

I’m hoping this will give them a simple, safe way to begin.

[Charlotte's Battle Against Glioblastoma (BAG) @alexeades1]

Charlotte’s Brain Tumour Journey
18.2.1997 – 24.2.2016
Diagnosis to death: 951 days age 19 years 5 days

10 years ago today my daughter died of a brain tumour.

13:05 pm  24.2.2016
No signs of life
Mottled skin
No pulse
No audible heart sounds
No respiratory effort
No breath sounds
No response to stimuli
Pupils fixed and dilated

RIP Charlotte.

16:00 PM | Death certificate issued
1a Glioblastoma Multiforme
1b Recurrent disseminated anaplastic astrocytoma
The Coroner’s office is notified.

This is Charlotte's last photo.
Please RT help me raise awareness and funding.

https://t.co/qGIjBOl3aq

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@alexeades1 Heartbreaking 💔 Beautiful Charlotte 🌹 ❤️ 🙏

[Byl Holte @SirBylHolte]

QUESTION: If we live in the most medically-advanced, insurance-saturated era in human history...

...why did actor James Van Der Beek just die of colorectal cancer, bankrupted by the HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, at 48?!

He did everything “right”: paid premiums for decades,
followed screenings, fought back with every treatment money could buy.

But when the bills outran the coverage, he STILL ended up having to beg strangers online for help.

RESULT: A life cut HORRENDOUSLY SHORT despite paying into the “system” his whole adult life.

So why exactly am I supposed to fork over $200+ a month for Medicare Part B the second I turn 65?

In case I get sick with the flu?

In case I get something WORSE?

To delay the inevitable a little longer?

To me, James Van Der Beek is a cautionary tale.

You pay in forever, the doctors CONSPICUOUSLY never cure anything, the machine manages your decline, and when it finally says “no more,” you’re on your own anyway.

Yes, coverage can extend life and reduce suffering for thousands every day, but it's not a GUARANTEE.

It's a GAMBLE.

And sometimes you lose.

RIP Dawson.

Sorry the system failed you.

[Charlotte's Battle Against Glioblastoma (BAG) @alexeades1]

Charlotte’s Brain Tumour Journey
18.2.1997 – 24.2.2016
Diagnosis to death: 951 days

As I’ve said, I try to be as accurate as possible with Charlotte’s and not sugarcoat things. Unfortunately, I was awake again at 2.00 am this morning. After a long day at work, I don’t have the energy to write an entry tonight.

Below is the first diary entry that Charlotte wrote:

Imagine having to think about possibly dying, being in a situation where you don’t know the outcome.
It’s awful and as a teenage girl the whole situation was impacted more by the media.

Always seeing ‘beautiful’ girls in magazines, with long hair and Skinny waists. It was heart wrenching when I had to think about shaving my head because I was going to lose my hair anyway. It was even worse when I put on two stone due to taking steroids to stop the excruciating pain in my head.

I felt horrible and could not bear to look in the mirror. Every time I tried to put on my clothes, they
were too tight and would not button up. I felt so disgusting and ugly being left with a bloated face and body. I hated my balding head which was patchy all over.

My skin was covered in spots and scars from various needles and operations. I was meant to be
starting college and making a new start for myself after my hard time at school.

Sitting in hospitals and taking 50 tablets a day was not normal, but I adjusted to it being a part of my life. I remember receiving my disabled badge and trying to justify in my head what I did to deserve this. I felt like a loner and did not have much contact with the outside world. The only contact would occasionally be a trip into town.

Doing this was a struggle physically and mentally. I would get tired easily and couldnot walk far because of this. I felt miserable seeing other girls living their lives and being ‘normal’. I was jealous of others; I wanted hair, good health and normality.

The contents of my handbag a few months earlier were a hairbrush, chewing gum and a mirror.
The contents of my handbag now are a set of hearing aids, disabled badge, medication and a pair of glasses
Charlotte 2013
https://t.co/qGIjBOl3aq

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@alexeades1 Beautiful Charlotte 🌹❤️🙏

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@Linda_Regan ❤️🙏

[Charlotte's Battle Against Glioblastoma (BAG) @alexeades1]

Charlotte’s Brain Tumour Journey
10 Years ago today 1.12.2015
18.2.1997 – 24.2.2016
Diagnosis to death: 951 days

We’ve just got back from a visit to the cinema. Charlotte is declining very slowly now, day by day, and today it really showed. As we were leaving the car park, she fell right by the exit barrier. She had her sticks to help her balance, but they weren’t enough.

Thankfully, a driver stopped and helped me lift her. Because of the tumour and the steroids, her weight has increased so much, and I struggled. I found myself explaining that she wasn’t drunk - even though her unsteady walking made it look that way but that she had a brain tumour.

Moments like this were heartbreaking. The world never sees the whole picture.
https://t.co/qGIjBOl3aq

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@alexeades1 Heartbreaking 💔❤️🌹🙏

[Shakin' Stevens @officialShaky]

🎄 25 November is an important date for Shaky... it's been 40 years exactly since he released iconic festive anthem, 'Merry Christmas Everyone', and it's exactly one month until the big day itself!

[🎶Colie🎶 🇺🇸🦅🙏🏻🕊✝💉♿ #Vaxxed #Still😷 🐶Lvr @CatholicGirl15]

Okay my Tweeps, you know what to do. Let's make beautiful Charlotte go viral. Let's raise awareness of brain cancer and raise funds for https://t.co/f65l77xmPe! 𝐀𝐥𝐥 donations go directly to research!
#BrainCancer
#CancerSucks
#FvckCancer
#CharlottesBag

[Bradley Lowery Foundation @Bradleysfight]

A snow day feels like the perfect moment for a snowy #ThrowbackThursday.

This picture is from our little trip to lap land, we had the best time. Brad was absolutely in awe of all the snow, he just loved it so much. Such incredible memories ❤

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@Bradleysfight ❤️❤️❤️🙏

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@JonjayNeedham1 ❤️🙏

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@Bradleysfight ❤️🙏

[Charlotte's Battle Against Glioblastoma (BAG) @alexeades1]

Charlotte’s Brain Tumour Journey
10 Years ago today 12.11.2015
18.2.1997 – 24.2.2016
Age 19 years 5 days

Diagnosis to death: 951 days

Ten years ago today Charlotte had an Appointment with her consultant.

Charlotte remains neurologically stable, but she’s developed a mouth full of ulcers. They look incredibly sore, likely a side effect of the steroids. She’s been given Gelclair to try and ease the discomfort. Hopefully, it will bring her some relief.

It was never just having a brain tumour the side effects from the countless medications were absolutely horrendous. Each one brought its own challenges, adding to what was already an unbearable journey.

https://t.co/qGIjBOl3aq

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@alexeades1 Beautiful Charlotte 🌹❤️🙏

[James Melville 🚜 @JamesMelville]

Eilean Donan Castle, Scottish Highlands. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Absolutely stunning.

📸 credit: Anton Baranenko

[patricia griffin @nobowill]

@JamesMelville Magical

[sue de 🇯🇪🙂🌞💐 @suedelacour]

Remembrance Day 2025