Woman put fatigue and anxiety down to natural condition - the reality was worse
Sarah Hitchman, 43, had been struggling with headaches, jaw pain, anxiety, double vision and extreme tiredness for months. Doctors initially believed her symptoms were due to Eustachian tube dysfunction - where the tube is blocked and causes dull hearing - or the effects of perimenopause.
But the special educational needs coordinator was later told she had a 5cm meningioma - a type of brain tumour - after having a seizure while visiting family in Ireland earlier this year.
Sarah said: "I honestly thought I was experiencing anxiety from perimenopause, even the dentist thought I was just grinding my teeth when I had jaw pain. I had no idea it was something so serious. I left home for Easter and returned to someone else's horror story."
Sarah flew to Ireland with her husband Brian on April 15, 2025, to visit her brother, Michael, before suffering a tonic-clonic seizure - where you become unconscious, your muscles get stiff and your body jerks and shakes.
She said: "My husband, Brian, and I were only 20 minutes away from my brother Michael's house when I suddenly started to feel sick. I thought it was travel sickness, until my mouth locked open, my chin started shaking, and I heard a loud banging in my ears. Then I blacked out."
Sarah, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, was rushed to Bantry General Hospital in Cork - where doctors carried out a CT scan. The results showed a large mass on her brain.
Rather than begin treatment overseas, she was advised not to fly and returned home via car. Once back in the UK, Sarah was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester where another CT scan confirmed the tumour. She was then referred immediately to Southampton General Hospital in Hampshire for urgent neurosurgical assessment.
Sarah said: "I knew it wasn't looking good because, after my CT scan at St Richard's Hospital, they immediately called the neurology department at Southampton General Hospital, and I was told I needed to see the surgeon the next day. That was the longest night of my life."
Doctors told her surgery was the only option but it came with serious risks - including loss of mobility, eyesight or even a stroke.
Sarah said: "I cried, I just couldn't process what he was saying, and I was scared. It was terrifying. My mind went to the darkest places. I worried about telling people, how they'd react, and when I did share the news, it felt like people were visiting to say goodbye."
She underwent life-saving brain surgery on April 29 at Southampton General Hospital, where surgeons were able to remove the tumour successfully.
Sarah returned home just two days later. Recovery was difficult - Sarah's eye swelled shut and she developed vertical double vision. She also faced overwhelming emotions from the trauma and shock of her ordeal.
She said: "People keep telling me that I was strong and brave. But honestly, I didn't feel that way. Everything happened so fast, I just did what I was told. I didn't have time to be brave, I didn't have a choice and just wanted to survive."
Now preparing to return to work, Sarah has raised more than £820 (€945) taking part in Brain Tumour Research's '88 Squats a Day Challenge' - which represents the £2,740 (€3,160) needed to fund a research day at one of the charity's 'Centres of Excellence'.
She said: "My confidence has returned, and I feel proud about the amount I have raised. I am incredibly lucky. It was a horrendous time, but now I have a second chance to move forward, create a new normal, and raise awareness so others don't face the same uncertainty I did. We need more research, more support, and more hope."
Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Sarah's story highlights just how easily the early signs of a brain tumour can be missed.
"Her strength through this traumatic journey is inspiring, and we're incredibly grateful for her support."
Sarah had been struggling with headaches, jaw pain, anxiety, double vision and extreme tiredness for months 1 of 7
Doctors initially believed her symptoms were due to Eustachian tube dysfunction 2 of 7
The special educational needs coordinator was later told she had a 5cm meningioma - a type of brain tumour 3 of 7
The diagnosis came to light after suffering a seizure while visiting her brother in Ireland 4 of 7
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