A Dunfermline-based artist has shared her work that she has created to help cope with living with an incurable form of brain cancer. 

Pamela Thompson, 54, has MS and a rare brain tumour called an Oligodendroglioma but despite both of these diagnoses and an awake brain surgery to prolong her life - she hasn't given up. 

She told the Press: "In 2012 when I was diagnosed, there was very little information given to you by medical professionals. it was found, incidentally, by an ENT consultant, and I knew there was something wrong because I had to go for another MRI scan a week later. So I knew there was an issue. When I did see him, he said, ‘You’ve got a mass on your brain'."

From there, it was a waiting game and Pam would go to appointments where her tumour was monitored. 

When it got too big, she went for a second opinion and was booked in for awake brain surgery in London. 

"I had to be awake because it was on my motor strip and I wouldn't be able to recognize or use my left side if they had just operated on me when I was sleeping," she said, "They wouldn't have known if they had taken a piece away that I shouldn't.  

"If there were an issue during the surgery, I probably wouldn't be able to use my whole left side, I could put my hand up, put it in front of my face and I wouldn't actually know that's my own hand.  

"If I was drawing, say a clockface, the numbers 1 to 12 would only be on the right side and I would fit it all in there and think I'd have drawn it properly.

"I got the operation in London in 2018 but he did tell me at that point that it's not a cure, it's incurable, it will always grow back.  

"He did always say that it would grow back in 5 to 6 years and it was six years ago now and it is doing exactly that."

Since her surgery in 2018, Pam has been creating beautiful artwork as a form of art therapy and has recently opened an exhibition displaying her portfolio. 

She said: "I have 132 pieces of art and it's probably taken about eight years to do everything. My art has changed over the years, during COVID I had to self-isolate with having MS and a brain tumour so I was quite at risk but my art improved dramatically.

"I used to work in the mental health field and art therapy was part of my role so actually, I'm now practising what I used to preach and it's amazing, the difference it makes to you."

By painting, drawing and creating as she listens to music and watches Still Game or her favourite comedian, Billy Connelly, Pam is able to escape reality for a while. 

She continued: "It just makes you feel so much better and you forget everything that's going on around you. Laughter is the best medicine  

"It gives you a focus, I used to work full time- I worked a lot of hours-  I worked in schools as well and in the evenings you were always doing displays. You always had things to do, so there was a bit of a void there.  

"It takes you away, you forget about everything and it gives you a focus."

And even though it's difficult, Pam does her best to keep positive about things. 

Going forward, Pam is looking at Chemotherapy, Radiation, a new drug that can target her tumour or further surgery to continue to prolong her life. 

"I do have memory issues, there's lots of things that are subtle. I'll bump into things, I'll cut myself cutting vegetables, and I can't have knives that are too sharp because I do end up hurting myself quite a lot.  You learn to live with it.  

"I’m still able to do stuff, I'm still able to draw which is amazing, I’m still able to do many things. I know that this will change in the future and I'll need to get chemo and radiotherapy.

"Radiotherapy to you're brain can give you dementia because it's on your brain and it will kill areas, but I do know all this but it will prolong my life."

In the meantime, she plans to continue doing what makes her happy. Her exhibit, There's 'Still Life' After Brain Surgery, is currently in the Dunfermline Carnegie Libraries and Galleries until November 28, before it moves to the Rothes Hall, Lochgelly Centre and the Adam Smith Theatres. 

She added: "The feedback I've had has been absolutely amazing, I have a comments book as well and it just makes me feel amazing to read it.

"It’s just wonderful to read those comments and it makes me think, that it doesn't matter what life throws at you, there's always something you can do, and you’re still worthwhile. I feel worthwhile and I can give back to people in life.

"I’m not useless even though I have a hole in my brain. It’s amazing what you can still do."