When Natalie Fry slipped and fell during her 50th birthday trip to Jamaica, no one could have anticipated that the accident would ultimately save her life. The fall led to the discovery of a brain tumour that put her into a three-week coma and sparked a challenging journey towards recovery.
Natalie, a dedicated 999 call handler, returned to the UK feeling unwell after the fall, which initially seemed to have only caused a knee injury. However, further medical examinations and an MRI scan revealed a sizeable schwannoma tumour on her brain. The news stunned her family, especially her daughter Chloe Bavin, 33, who stayed loyally by her mother’s hospital bedside in Weston-super-Mare, hoping for a miracle.
“It was terrifying to see her in a coma, hooked up to machines,” Chloe recalls. “Doctors warned us she might not survive, and every moment was filled with fear and uncertainty. Mum is such a strong woman, but seeing her so vulnerable was heartbreaking.”
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On 3 July 2025, Natalie underwent a difficult nine-hour operation to remove most of the tumour. The surgery carried significant risks, including loss of hearing, vision, mobility, and even death. While the tumour was mostly removed, a small portion was left intact due to its proximity to vital nerves.
Complications arose shortly after surgery when Natalie suffered a brain bleed, plunging her into a coma that lasted three weeks. Gradually, she began to recover with ventilator support reduced, the fitting of a shunt to drain brain fluid, and tiny movements signaling hope.
Despite enduring paralysis on the left side of her body, facial paralysis, hearing loss, and impaired vision, Natalie has made remarkable progress. After six months in hospital relearning how to walk and talk, she has returned to work, embodying incredible resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
In December 2024, a small new growth was detected on her brain, treated successfully with radiotherapy—though the outcome remains uncertain. To support further brain tumour research and raise awareness, Chloe is running the TCS London Marathon in April, dedicating every step to her mother and other families affected by similar battles.
“Watching mum transform from a vibrant, independent woman to someone who had to relearn everything was deeply painful,” Chloe shares. “Running the marathon is my way of honoring her strength and helping others facing this disease—reminding them they are not alone.”
Carol Robertson, National Events Manager at Brain Tumour Research, expressed gratitude for Chloe’s commitment: “Her efforts bring hope and funding to urgent brain tumour research. Stories like theirs underline why we need increased awareness and investment so that one day no one has to endure what this family has.”
Natalie’s story is one of courage, love, and hope—a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of striving for a future free from brain tumours.