"No-one took me seriously"- NI woman's horror after brain tumour dismissed as stress and anxiety

A Co Derry woman was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour after her seizures were dismissed for stress and anxiety. Éireann Sharkey, 27, suddenly lost her speech while living in Canada but initially put it down to heat stroke.

But after another seizure she went to the doctor but was told her symptoms were likely due to anxiety and stress. Eventually she was taken for a CT scan which showed up a mass and an MRI then confirmed golf-ball sized tumour.

Éireann underwent a four-hour surgery in November 2023 to remove the tumour and in February 2024 she was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma.

The YouTuber was told chemotherapy and radiation are an option but not recommended due to her age.

Éireann is now seeking a second opinion but is living as normally as she can and planning her upcoming wedding. Éireann, from Derry said: "I felt dismissed every time I sought help.

"When I even mentioned a brain tumour, the consultant brushed it off, saying his 30 years' experience showed it didn't fit my profile.

"It was demeaning and incredibly frustrating - I knew something was wrong but no-one took me seriously.”

Éireann was with her fiancé, Devin, 25, in August 2023 when she excitedly spotted a childhood snack - Bacon Fries. But after turning to Devin, a manufacturing technician, she suddenly lost her speech, and "the world spun".

After another seizure Éireann went to the doctor. But, after a further three seizures, she was told her symptoms were down to anxiety and stress. Éireann eventually got a consultant to do a CT scan - stating it was just his 'due diligence'. Her worst fears were then confirmed in an MRI.

She said: "It was surreal. The hospital was having IT problems, so the neurosurgeon had to show me the scan results on his phone, and there it was, a clear white golf ball-sized tumour in my head.

"He wanted to operate immediately, but I needed time to absorb everything and to have my family with me for support.

"When I picked my dad up two weeks later, the reality of my situation hit me hard, and I broke down.

"Afterward, I had a four-hour surgery to remove the tumour, but I had to wait 79 days to find out if it was cancerous or not. I felt powerless.”

After being diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, Éireann learned that while chemotherapy and radiation are potential treatments, they were not initially recommended due to her age.

Doctors explained that because these treatments can only be administered once, starting them now could lead to early, irreversible brain damage.

Rather than risk her mental faculties and health further, she has decided to focus on living life as normally as possible, awaiting a second opinion from doctors in London, and planning her upcoming wedding.

She is also channelling her energy into raising awareness and funds for the charity Brain Tumour Research by taking part in 99 Miles in November - a challenge where participants complete the distance at their own pace, in their own way, to support the fight against brain tumours.

Éireann said: “Being part of this challenge gives me a way to take action in a situation often out of my control.

"It's devastating how underfunded research into this disease is, especially considering it’s one of the biggest cancer killers.”

Ashley McWilliams, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Éireann’s courage in sharing her story and taking on this challenge is truly inspiring.

"Her efforts bring us closer to a cure for the 16,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.

"We’re incredibly grateful to her and everyone supporting this cause.”

To support Éireann’s fundraising campaign, visit the Just Giving page HERE.

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