Elizabeth Murphy, a 60-year-old woman from Taunton, initially believed the troubling symptoms she was experiencing were related to menopause. Struggling with word-finding difficulties, spelling issues, and a noticeable decline in typing ability, she attributed her condition to brain fog and work-related burnout.
“I thought it was the menopause,” Elizabeth explained. “I started stuttering, had trouble finding the right words, and couldn’t type as fluently as before. Then the headaches began, and when I visited the doctor, they said my blood pressure was high. But everything changed when my face drooped and my colleagues noticed.”
Following this alarming sign, Elizabeth was referred to Musgrove Park Hospital, where she received an unexpected diagnosis: not one, but two brain tumours. “I was shocked. Initially, they thought it was a brain bleed, so the tumour diagnosis was completely unexpected,” she said. “I waited five months before hearing from neurology, worrying constantly about tumour growth. Finally, I learned I had two benign, slow-growing tumours.”
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Doctors recommended a “watch and wait” approach with regular MRI scans to monitor the tumours. Despite the daunting diagnosis, Elizabeth remains positive and has channeled her energy into fundraising for Brain Tumour Research’s 99 Miles in November challenge. This initiative encourages participants to walk, run, cycle, swim, or exercise in the gym to raise vital funds for brain tumour research.
“I’m grateful to be alive and celebrating my 60th birthday,” Elizabeth shared. “I’ll be in Sri Lanka for the first two weeks of the challenge, walking to support this important cause. I’ve already raised £130 before even starting, and a smartwatch gifted to me will help track my miles. I want others to have hope, but we need more funding and support for people like me who face long waits and uncertainty.”
Letty Greenfield, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms: “Elizabeth’s story shows how easily brain tumour symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions like stress or menopause. It’s vital to listen to your body and seek medical advice when something feels wrong. We’re incredibly grateful to Elizabeth for sharing her experience and supporting our fundraising challenge.”
The NHS advises consulting a doctor if you experience seizures, persistent headaches, ongoing nausea or vomiting, memory issues, personality changes, paralysis on one side of the body, or problems with vision and speech. While these symptoms don’t always indicate a brain tumour, timely medical evaluation is crucial.