Annabelle’s story
Annabelle’s first hunch proved correct. After investigations in hospital, she was told she had a meningioma.
Annabelle’s son Matthew, a Press and Editorial Photography student at Falmouth University, made this film, which explores the challenges his mother faced in the wake of her diagnosis. He wanted to “capture her resilience, and the emotional challenges we’ve faced as a family.”
Watch the video: hear Annabelle and her husband Richard discuss her shock brain tumour diagnosis.
Sudden seizure
“I remember waking around 3.30 am and my left arm going stiff, and being unable to relax it. The next thing I recall is lying face down on the floor, calling my husband Richard. This must have been in my head, because he said I didn’t call out at all.
“When I became conscious, I felt very unsettled, and initially went to the toilet before sitting on the bed. I remember saying I had had a fit and asked my husband to call 999. My daughter had already called and we then waited for the ambulance to arrive, which happened at around 7am.”
Despite feeling weak and disoriented, Annabelle’s medical training kicked in:
“All I wanted was to get the ambulance crew to my home to do their usual checks, including an ECG, and then take me to A&E for blood tests and an MRI scan of my head. I didn’t think beyond this at that time, as I was focusing on how I was feeling physically – very tired, unsettled, nauseous and wobbly when I walked to the ambulance.”
Meningioma diagnosis
In hospital, Annabelle had bloods taken and was sent for a scan. Thanks to her experience as a GP, she already knew a brain tumour was a strong possibility. Husband Richard explains the turmoil her family felt:
“We tried very hard on the surface to appear relaxed and calm. But underneath, it was like the duck on the water, legs peddling furiously.”
It was a big relief to hear that the tumour was benign. But preparing for the surgery needed to remove it was daunting for everyone. Richard explained:
“There’s an element of risk to all surgery, but particularly brain surgery. There can be a risk of stroke, of fitting, or bleeding, and as was rather blandly said to us both, there’s a risk of death.
“All of these experiences in life, whether they be good or bad, if you get through them, you come out the other side, stronger and better than you were before.”
Annabelle’s brain tumour journey – on film
I've always been inspired by my mum; she's one of the most caring, passionate, and loving people in my life, and I'm incredibly grateful for her. I've long wanted to express this adoration in one of my projects.”
Matthew
Son Matthew has a vivid memory of accompanying his mum to hospital in the ambulance, an experience he says made him want to tell her story.
His film is an unflinching portrayal of a very difficult time. There’s commentary from Annabelle herself, as well as from Matthew’s dad, Annabelle’s husband Richard, as the family come to terms with what’s happened. But, mindful of the need to improve awareness of brain tumour symptoms, it’s a project Annabelle was happy to support:
“I think Matt’s documentary piece is amazing. It’s simple in some ways, but very powerful and profound in its portrayal of my diagnosis and subsequent surgery. I did hesitate initially, as I wanted him to really think about the emotional impact on him, whilst trying to document everything about me and his family.
I am very proud and humbled by the way he’s been able to do this project so sensitively, in spite of the fact that it was his mother who was going through the whole process.
“Better understanding of brain tumour symptoms is so important. We need to improve public awareness of symptoms – for example, new headaches and nausea, classically on waking; an unexplained fit or fits; progressive one-sided weakness, and changes in personality.
“And we need to reinforce a patient’s ability to ask questions and seek advice from their GP – or attend A&E if they have significant symptoms that they feel have not been explained, or investigated.”
Moving forwards
Physically, Annabelle is recovering well, and hopes to return to work soon. In the meantime, coping with a slower pace of life has been a challenge, but she has found strategies to help:
“I have continued to make lists for each week with admin tasks that I need to complete and have arranged to meet up with friends once or twice a week for coffee or a swim, as well as going to church on Sundays and having regular calls with my family in West Sussex.
“One of the most difficult things has been coping with the effect of being on high dose steroids for ten days, after the fit and post op. My mind was constantly racing and was not able to settle to sleep at night. I was also very irritable and reactive with my family especially my husband!
“This whole experience has made my children realise how I am the “queen pin” of the family in so many ways – supporting them and my husband practically, emotionally and financially. And it’s made me realise I need to take better care of myself – physically, mentally and emotionally.”
The overriding message of Matthew’s film is the love and strength of family, summed up perfectly by Annabelle:
“One of my passions is my family. They’ve loved me and they’ve been there for me. After the fit, I was very irritable, argumentative, and couldn’t sleep, but they’ve calmed me down, they’ve reassured me. I think it just makes you realise how family is so important, love and friends and everyone pulling together as a team.”
Find support
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumour, or it’s a family member or friend, we are here to help. Our brain tumour support covers a wide range of inclusive and accessible services for everyone affected by a brain tumour, whether it’s low or high grade, adult or child.