A Personal Update from Caroline at Doncaster Mumbler.
I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news that has meant that I’ve been a little absent from Doncaster Mumbler recently and update you all on what has been happening over the past few months. We also have some news about this year’s Doncaster Mumbler Awards.
Back in March of this year, I was diagnosed with a giant meningioma, a type of tumor in my skull that was growing next to my brain and pressing against it, causing headaches that gradually worsened since January, accompanied by what I thought was possibly brain fog (like lots of others my age I’d jumped to the menopause conclusion and my bedside table was stacked high with menopause books!) Blood tests ruled this out but as the headaches got worse, it also started to affect my physical and cognitive abilities, the symptoms came on suddenly and made it incredibly difficult to work. Simple tasks like responding to emails or making social media posts became practically impossible and in the words of my son, I went a bit weird!. My hands weren’t working properly…not being able to hold a knife and fork, a pen or my phone was interesting, my legs stopped working too and I was constantly exhausted, spending most days in bed.
Following an MRI scan, the doctors suggested it had been growing in my skull for the last 20 years as it was so big (size of a tennis ball!). In April, I underwent a 12 hour surgery at Hull Royal Infirmary to have the tumour removed and I’m thankful to say it was a success… my meningioma was removed completely and tested as a grade 1, benign tumour and it shouldn’t come back. I can’t thank the surgeon, medical team and the nurses on the neuro ward enough. The nurses were especially patient as I think I was a bit of a pain…waking in the middle of the night and wanting to chat…I even encouraged a fellow patient to have a midnight snack!
Look away if you’re a bit sqeemish, but here is my tumour and my scar, which has been described as beautiful work by lots of medical professionals! I was very lucky that they shaved a very neat headband and as soon as clips were removed, my hair started growing back. I have become a wearer of fancy headscarves, hats, turbans to protect my scar which is re-vamping my wardrobe and I think I gained a facelift due to the surgery as they pull it all back very tight…so that’s a free bonus.
Following the surgery, I spent a few weeks recovering at the Neuro Rehabilitation Centre in Goole before finally returning home in May and I’m pleased to say that I am well on the road to recovery.
During this challenging time, the Doncaster Mumbler website has been and continues to be in the capable hands of the wonderful team at Mumbler HQ. I want to extend a huge thank you to Sally, who took the reins and ensured that everything continued to run smoothly. The Doncaster Mumbler website has remained an up to date platform providing the content and support that the Doncaster Mumbler community has come to rely on over the past 6 years. Sally’s support has been invaluable, and I am incredibly grateful.
I am now taking slow steps towards getting back to normal, but it is unfortunately still going to take some time.
Therefore unfortunately and with regret, the Doncaster Mumbler Awards will not take place in 2024, but rest assured that our thriving Doncaster lovely community will continue to be looked after by the Mumbler team and hopefully the awards may be back next year 💜
Thank you all for your understanding and support during this time and more updates will be posted soon.
Caroline x
Should anyone else be going through anything like this at the moment, since leaving hospital I have come across some very useful resources and support groups, which I thought might be helpful to share. It took me some time to comprehend what had actually happened to me and come to terms with it. 💜
Meningioma Support Group – The Brain Tumour Charity
After brain surgery – Cancer Research Charity
