Mum's stiff arm turned out to be down to a brain tumour

SWNS

Annabelle Holloway, 61, a semi-retired GP, was diagnosed with a benign meningioma after waking up with a stiff arm and having a fit in July 2024.  Despite no prior symptoms, her experience as a GP helped her recognize the potential for a brain tumour.  After an MRI scan, doctors confirmed the diagnosis.  In September, Annabelle underwent surgery to remove most of the tumour. She now faces yearly check-ups to monitor any regrowth.  Throughout her treatment, Annabelle's son, Matt, created a film documenting the challenges of her diagnosis.  The Brain Tumour Charity emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms and seeking early diagnosis.

Transcript

00:00On the morning

00:29On the morning of the 8th of July 2024

00:33I woke up around 3.30 in the morning with some stiffness in the top of my back and my left arm

00:40And then the next thing I remember is lying on my front and I thought I was calling for my husband

00:48I didn't know how long I was there for

00:52But I do know that my husband woke up, found me out of bed

00:57Didn't know where I was, found me under the bed

01:01I was unconscious

01:03My husband told me afterwards that I said

01:06I've had a fit, call 999

01:09I got to the hospital, they settled me in a bay

01:14Family all around and they said oh we'll do some bloods, do your ECG

01:18We've got to get you a scan

01:21I said fine, no problem

01:24When somebody's had a first fit

01:28It's usually a diagnosis of a brain tumour

01:33We all individually I believe felt a sigh of relief as he mentioned the word benign

01:39I tried very hard on the surface to appear relaxed and calm

01:48But underneath it was like the duck on the water

01:53My legs were paddling furiously

01:56There's an element of risk to all surgery

02:03But particularly brain surgery

02:05There can be a risk of stroke, risk of fitting, of bleeding

02:10And as he rather blandly said to us both

02:17There's a risk of death

02:19They put a drip in the back of my left hand I believe

02:28And gave me something called fentanyl

02:31They said they was going to give me something to help me with pain

02:35I said fentanyl by any chance

02:36They said yes

02:37Oh good I said

02:38Because I know it works well

02:40And then they gave me something to breathe in a mask

02:43And then that's

02:44I don't remember anything more after that

02:46All of these experiences in life

02:49Whether they be good or bad

02:52If you get through them

02:53You come out the other side

02:55Bigger and stronger

02:57And better than you were before

02:59So absolutely nothing is wasted

03:01And perhaps sometimes it's not a bad thing

03:05To be reminded that your life doesn't go on indefinitely

03:08One of my passions is my family

03:15They've loved me

03:19They've loved me and they've been there for me

03:21And I've been

03:23The first time after the fit

03:25I was very irritable

03:26Argumentative

03:27Couldn't sleep

03:29And they've calmed me down

03:33And they've reassured me

03:37Sorry

03:42I think it just makes you realise

03:46Our family is so important

03:48And love

03:49And friends

03:50And everybody putting together as a team

03:53And what we've got

03:54And who we are in this world

03:57And the NHS

04:00I mean I could go on and on and on

04:02I just don't know where to stop

04:04As a family though

04:06Oh my word

04:07Just the love of each other

04:12And the love of God

04:13And

04:13Yeah

04:19Yeah

04:34Yeah

04:39Yeah

04:44Yeah

04:48You

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