Yahoo News 'I was diagnosed with two brain tumours after feeling dizzy at work'
A mum was diagnosed with two brain tumours after she felt dizzy and without balance following exercise.
Out of the blue in June 2020, Heather Sells, a fitness instructor, found she couldn't stand after completing her fitness classes. The 46-year-old experienced vision problems and blinding headaches and had to be rushed to hospital after a seizure.
Initially, Heather was sent home with a leaflet and no scans, until she had a second one. The second seizure happened later that month and an MRI revealed two brain tumours.
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Heather was then diagnosed with meningioma - the most common form of adult primary brain tumour which develops in the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The mum-of-two has since had emergency surgery to remove the larger tumour, but the second is under active surveillance by doctors.
Heather, from Clitheroe said: “I know first-hand how devastating this disease is. Not just for those diagnosed but for everyone around them."
During her time in hospital, Heather said she “was terrified”. She explained: “Because of COVID-19 restrictions, my husband couldn’t come into the hospital, and I was on my own in a small side room for five hours before surgery.
“They removed the first tumour. But the second one remains under active surveillance. Living scan-to-scan with a brain tumour that could turn aggressive at a flick of a switch is a nightmare.”
The survival rate of meningioma is usually good - on average 85 to 95 per cent for grade I meningiomas for the first five years. It can be lowered to around 25 to 30 per cent if the meningiomas progress to grade III.
Sadly, Heather has closed her fitness business which includes online classes and she is not able to return to work. Instead, she dedicates her time to raising funds and awareness through charity challenges.
Her husband Jack and sons Elliott and Hunter have supported her with these fundraisers. She's already raised more than £8,000 for the charity Brain Tumour Research - and aims to raise more this coming month by taking on the 99 Miles in November challenge.
She said: “My family and friends have been with me for the previous challenges I did, and it was amazing. I’m hoping this new adventure will bring our total raised to over £10,000, which we’re all incredibly proud of.
“And hope it helps in finding a cure.”
Ashley McWilliams, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Heather’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience within our community. Her dedication to raising funds for research, despite her own health challenges, is deeply inspiring.
“Every step Heather takes supports the 16,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour each year in the UK.”
The Brain Tumour Research charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
To support Heather’s fundraising efforts, visit their Facebook page.
