A woman was left with just ‘three weeks to live’ after thinking that it was ‘ridiculous’ to go to A&E with her symptoms.
Julie Swallow had been experiencing pins and needles in her right foot and leg before she started to struggle walking while out with her dog in 2021.
The 56-year-old from Cambridgeshire then decided to give her GP a ring who urged her to go to A&E.
“I genuinely thought I'd trapped a nerve, and that going to A&E was ridiculous, but my friend said I should call the doctor,” she said.
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She then ended up with a devastating brain tumour diagnosis but has since beaten all the odds and lived with three tumours.
Before those pins and needles began, Julie had recently survived breast cancer. But a brain scan at the hospital found two inoperable tumours in the middle of her brain.
“A doctor told me that I probably have got about three weeks to live, and to tell my husband and family but here I still am,” the former canine hydrotherapist said.
“As I always say, when I die is between me and my god - not me and my doctor. It will catch up with me eventually, but in the meantime, I take every day as it comes."
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Julie was told chemotherapy wouldn’t work due to the type of tumour and instead receives monthly injections as well as a MRI and CT scan to monitor growth.
A fourth tumour was discovered and removed earlier this month and she’s just finished a course of radiotherapy on the third tumour.
"That tumour I had removed had caused me the biggest issues in terms of recover,” she explained. "When I came round from it, I couldn't walk very well, and I have really struggled with my mobility since then."
Still here many years later, Julie said she ‘never took any notice of the three-week prediction’ with her death up to her ‘and God’.
"I’m not even a hugely religious person. But I am extremely stubborn and continue to fight daily,” she said.
And now that she’s lived longer than anticipated she appreciates the little moments in life.
"There is something good in every day, and I just look for that,” Julie added. "I have two choices, I can get busy living, or I can get busy dying - I am going to be busy no matter what."
Cameron Miller, Director of External Affairs and Strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “It’s so important that we see increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours to ensure anyone affected can get the diagnosis, treatment and support they need at the earliest opportunity.
“The warning signs vary by age group, tumour type and where in the brain a tumour is located. But we would encourage anyone who is worried about a symptom that’s unusual for them, particularly if it is persistent or if they experience a combination of symptoms, to speak to their doctor.
“Anyone concerned can also speak to our Support Team on 0808 800 0004 or find out more about the possible signs and symptoms at bettersafethantumour.com/"
Jess Battison