Eye spy with my little eye.... something beginning with Brain Tumour

I hope that stories like my own can encourage others and their families to keep up with their regular eye health checks as part of their sight test.

Not everyone realises that a sight test is more than just whether you need glasses or not.

It has been horrifying to read in the press and on social media forums how many people are diagnosed with a Brain Tumour (like myself) or other conditions such as Diabetes, Melanoma, Cardiovascular Disease (to name a few) after a visit to the opticians.

I had been suffering from migraine for a few years the symptoms of which were progressively getting worse. Symptoms included numbness, dizzy spells, forgetfulness and loss of sight.

As I was not experiencing pain with my Migrane, just a visual aura, this was put down to stress, anxiety, hormones and once a Gluten intolerance.

I decided to have get another eye examination from another Opticians as I was unable to be referred to a Migrane specialist via my GP.

Boots Opticians were able to detect an anomaly through 1 simple eye test that no one had yet to discover. After a swift referral to Hospital, a CT scan and MRI the next day I was then told that I had a very large Brain Tumour which had been causing pressure behind my optic nerves.

I had to have emergency surgery as the Tumour had invaded my skull. The evictee was removed a week later after an 11 hour brain surgery and large Crainiotomy to remove a third of my skull. I threw my trust entirely in my amazing Neurosurgeon Titus who had luckily been on call the evening my Brain Tumour was discovered.

I was diagnosed with a Grade 2 A-Typical Meningioma, albeit a non-malignant Tumour the diagnosis is frightening and has been life changing.

Following 4 major surgeries (so far) I will continue to receive lifetime care from the Neuro surgery department at Derriford Hospital.

My dreams for the future are now different, but no less ambitious as I come to terms with my new normal.

I am back in the work place and continue to raise money for Charity (namely the Brainstrust) and Brain Tumour awareness whilst ably managing a host of invisible ailments that now structure my day to day life.

If I had not gone for that eye test, my life would have ended up very differently for me and my family and we are grateful every single day.

Our sincere thanks go to wonderful team at Boots Opticians in Exmouth and the wonderful Neuro Surgery Department at Derriford Hospital who have looked after us so well.

• Please do not take advantage of your eyes.

• Please ensure you and your family have your eyes tested every 2 years OR if you notice any changes to your vision, please don’t ever delay.

• If you still aren’t happy after your eye test please do not ignore it ASK for a referral.

#braintumourawareness #braintumour #meningioma #meningiomasurvivor #eyetest #vision #recovery #crainiotomy #neurosurgery