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.
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.
Category
😹
FunTranscript
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