The 40-year-old had been experiencing incredibly painful headaches that were preventing her from holding her newborn baby.
Her GP referred her for an MRI which showed that not only did she have a large brain tumour, she was also suffering from an unusual condition where her brain was forcing its way down her spine – something that needed to be dealt with immediately.
Before the nine-hour operation, Marie had a heart-to-heart with her husband.
“The day before the surgery was the worst day of my life ever. We did the goodbye speeches, ‘please tell my daughter I love her if I don’t wake up tomorrow’.”
She also told her loving husband to move on if she didn't survive the worrying operation.
"It was horrific. You find out if you’re the kind of person who wants their husband to remain single or not after you’ve gone.
"I was telling him ‘don’t stay on your own, find someone lovely'."
Chiari malformation occurs when the lower part of the brain pushes downwards towards the spinal chord and decompression surgery was vital to reduce pressure at the brain's base.
The operation was successful and she was discharged a week after her surgery with tests indicating the the tumour is benign; however, Marie will have to have another operation to stop a fluid build-up on her brain.
"I am sad a bit because of the time lost with my baby. I’m missing milestones you shouldn’t miss as a mum, but she’s still here and I’m still here.
"It’s changed everything really, finding out about the tumour. I’m grateful I wake up every day.”
