Yahoo News Mum, 71, started going missing and sleeping in her car and no one knew why
A mum whose personality changes and argumentative behaviour led to her estrangement with her children only found why she had become so unbearable after she collapsed at a Liverpool train station. Mum-of-three Colette Disley, 71, would go missing for days, sleeping in her car and taking long drives.
Colette suffered a seizure in December 2022, which left her face "destroyed" but avoided going to hospital, determined to join a planned holiday to Perth, Australia. However, her family urged her to see a doctor after she collapsed in January 2023, leading to her being diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour.
Doctors who removed it believe it had been growing for years, significantly impacting her behaviour. The surgery resulted in a stroke, causing fatigue and mobility issues for Colette, from Melling, near Kirkby.
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Reflecting on her ordeal, she said: "I didn’t realise I had a problem. I was acting very strange, and it put a massive strain on the family. " She detailed how her actions led to devastating personal losses: "I began arguing back with people, and began acting strangely, like disappearing for days on end, but never with the intention to hurt anybody."
The loss of connection with her children hit her hard: "When I lost my children, my whole life fell apart." Despite the trauma of her facial injury and the upcoming trip, she initially refused hospital treatment following her December seizure.
Colette initially visited the hospital in Perth just to put her friends' minds at ease. However, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, she was left stunned. She said: "I was gobsmacked. You never think something like that is going to happen to you." I felt so alone. I wouldn't tell anybody how I was feeling. I thought it was the end. I honestly thought I was going to die."
Colette underwent surgery to remove the tumour in May 2023 and was informed that it could have likely caused changes in her personality. She said: "I had an answer. But that wouldn’t bring my children back. I was angry. The tumour had effectively ruined my life."
During the operation, Colette suffered a brain bleed, haemorrhagic stroke and seizure. When she woke up, she was paralysed on one side, unable to communicate, and "didn't even know what a phone was". After spending seven weeks in rehab, Colette was finally able to return home.
She shared: "The surgeon apologised to me but he never needed to. To me, he was God. He’d saved me."
Despite the stroke causing fatigue and mobility issues, she considers herself one of the "lucky ones". She has now reconnected with her youngest child but has not regained any contact with her elder children.
Colette is currently fundraising for Brain Tumour Research as part of the charity’s 99 Miles in November challenge. Participants have the entire month to complete the distance in any way they choose.
Colette said: "I hope to succeed in raising as much as possible for this worthy cause. Brain tumours are an everyday occurrence that are not truly recognised. They affect all ages, from babies through to the elderly. And it is not just the tumour, it’s the trauma and impact it has on your life before, during and after diagnosis."
"Please if you can help by donating just a couple of pounds to help Brain Tumour Research help others I would be truly grateful."
Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Depression and anxiety, mood swings, and even aggression are all potential effects of having a brain tumour. " "This can be devastating for both the tumour patient and their families, particularly when a diagnosis is delayed."
"It is heart-breaking to hear about how Colette’s life has been damaged in more ways than one by the disease. We are so grateful and inspired that she refuses to be defeated, and for joining the fight against the disease with the 99 Miles in November Challenge."
