Dad was told headaches were sinusitis - then his 'world fell apart'
Charlie Broadhurst had been suffering from them for more than a decade before the true cause was discovered
Charlie Broadhurst pictured during treatment
(Image: Brain Tumour Research/SWNS )
A man with headaches told to go the opticians by doctors discovered he'd had a brain tumour - for more than 10 years. Charlie Broadhurst, 36, was suffering with headaches back in 2011.
But when he went to hospital for an MRI scan at the time - he was told that his headaches were due to sinusitis and advised to visit his optician. Charlie, a married father-of-two from West Hanney, Oxfordshire, went on with his life - until January 2022.
He was resting in bed whilst recovering from a mild sickness bug and experienced a tingling in his lip. Charlie, who said he remembered the familiar feeling from childhood when he had febrile convulsions, then suffered a seizure. He was later diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma - a brain tumour that had grown undetected for over a decade.
Charlie's wife, Siobhan, 34, said: 'Our whole world fell apart, it was terrifying, we didn't know how severe it was, but you hear the words 'brain tumour' and we just knew it wasn't good.'
Charlie was given a life expectancy of 10 to 20 years.
Charlie said: 'I crumbled and was horrified. So many thoughts flooded my brain, I had already lost 11 years due to misdiagnosis. I was so angry.
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"Had I known in 2011 what I was up against, I would never have done this to my children or wife. Knowing now what they must face, I would have saved them from all of this.'
Speaking of the advice to visit opticians, he said: "I kind of left it and, when I did have a headache, made sure I was wearing my glasses a little bit more."
Charlie Broadhurst with his wife Siobhan during treatment
(Image: Brain Tumour Research/SWNS )
Charlie has since undergone brain surgery twice since his diagnosis and a good amount of the tumour has been successfully removed. He also had six weeks of daily radiotherapy and six months of chemotherapy, which he said was "really hard going".
Despite intense fatigue and hair loss, Charlie explained how he found a sense of stability in continuing to work between treatment sessions. He is currently under active surveillance, with scans every six months to monitor the tumour.
Siobhan began raising money for Brain Tumour Research to channel the fear that came with Charlie's diagnosis. She has since raised more than £25,000 - with no plans to stop.
Siobhan, an Early Years Foundation Stage teaching assistant, said: "If Charlie's symptoms had been recognised sooner, things could have been very different. I'm doing this for him, for our family, and for everyone going through a brain tumour diagnosis. Brain tumours don't care who you are, they're indiscriminate and relentless.
Charlie Broadhurst with wife Siobhan and their children
(Image: Brain Tumour Research/SWNS )
"They kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer in the UK, yet research is still so underfunded. That's why I'm taking on the 88 Squats a Day in July Challenge to raise money and awareness, and to help find a cure.
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"Since 2022, I've raised over £25,000 for Brain Tumour Research, but I won't stop until families like ours stop hearing the words 'you have a brain tumour''.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, and they kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer.
To donate, visit Siobhan's fundraising page.
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Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I had no symptoms of killer condition until it struck on holiday – but medics just blamed heatstroke
'It was obviously very scary and you expect the worst when you're told you have a brain tumour,' the 22-year-old says HOLS HELL I had no symptoms of killer condition until it struck on holiday – but medics just blamed heatstroke Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Moli Morgan started feeling unwell on holiday in Turkey a doctor at the resort told her it was likely just heatstroke. So the 22-year-old was shocked just days later to discover her symptoms were actually a sign of a life-threatening brain tumour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Moli Morgan was initially told her seizures were just heatstroke Credit: SWNS 10 The 22-year-old was eventually diagnosed with a brain tumour Credit: SWNS 10 Her symptoms started while she was on holiday with her boyfriend, Oliie Credit: SWNS "I had no real warning signs before or during the holiday," the young farmer, from Powys in Wales, said. "I have only ever had a migraine but didn't think anything of it at the time," she added. Then, the night before flying home in October last year, Moli suffered two seizures while in Antalya with her boyfriend, 22-year-old mechanic Ollie Higgins. "We'd had a lovely week there, it was really relaxed and there was a water park at the hotel which was great," she explained. "It was hot but not unbearable, around 28-30C," But that night, she suffered a seizure at around 1am, followed by a second one about 20 minutes later. Ollie, whom Moli had been with for six years, called for the medics at the resort. "They had a doctor on site at the hotel who told me it was probably just heatstroke," Moli said. "We had been in the sun all day and I hadn't drank much water, so I sort of thought nothing more of it and that is was probably just heatstroke, and we flew home the next evening," she explained, When she got home, one of Moli's three sisters, a nurse, suggested she go to hospital "just to be on the safe side", she said The six warning signs of brain tumours Moli went to Shrewsbury Hospital, where an MRI scan revealed a 4cm brain tumour called a glioma on the left side of her brain. A glioma is a type of tumour that starts in the brain or spinal cord from glial cells, which support nerve cells and can be deadly. "I just couldn't believe it, as I had no other real symptoms and felt completely fine," she said. "It was obviously very scary and you expect the worst when you're told you have a brain tumour," she added. Moli stayed in hospital for four to five days, taking anti-seizure medication before she was allowed home. She was later transferred to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, where she met with consultant neurologist Dr Erminia Albanese and her team to discuss her treatment options. 10 Brain scan showing Moli's tumour (top left) Credit: SWNS 10 The farmer in hospital before she had surgery for brain tumour Credit: SWNS 10 Her stitches after brain tumour surgery Credit: SWNS For the operation to remove the tumour, Moli was told she would have to be awake to ensure the language centre of her brain wasn't being damaged. "I didn't even really think about it, I just thought do whatever you need to do," she said. Moli had the procedure in December, with an interpreter present so she could communicate during the surgery and the team could monitor her to ensure she didn't lose the ability to speak Welsh - her first language - afterwards. "There was like this powerpoint presentation with basic things like animals and food on them - and I had to repeat the words back," Moli explained. "There was a couple of times I didn't get it right, so they knew that was the part affecting my language and not to interfere there," she added. "It's mind-blowing what they can do really." 10 Moli was having a lovely holiday in Antalya when she had a seizure Credit: SWNS 10 Ollie, whom Moli had been with for six years, called for the medics at the resort Credit: SWNS 'Everything has been positive since' Moli only remembers bits of the operation, which went on for four hours. "I had around 28 staples in my head and stayed in for a couple of days before I was allowed to go home," she said. "I've had two follow up MRI scans and after my next one they will start doing them every six months, so I'm still being monitored but everything has been positive since," she added. The surgeon, Dr Erminia Albanese, added: "It was important we had our interpreter, Ben, with us during the operation. "He would say a word in English and Moli had to reply in Welsh to ensure she could speak both Welsh and English after the tumour was removed. "It was amazing to see Moli and her Mum, her recovery has been incredible, and it's great to see her doing well after the surgery." The most common symptoms of a brain tumour More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives. The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis. There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment. Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return. Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS. They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision. The nine most common symptoms are: Headaches Seizures Feeling sick Being sick Memory problems Change in personality Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body Vision problems Speech problems If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP. Source: NHS Moli and her mum, Carol, have now presented a cheque for £345 to Ward 228. and members of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Charity team. It was all was raised through a carol singing night organised by The Wales Federation of Young Farmers. Carol said: "It's so nice to be back here to see and thank everyone for their care. "We have lots of memories of being here and our outcome has been very good." 10 The surgeon says Moli is doing 'very well' after the major op Credit: SWNS
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was told I had heatstroke from Turkey holiday - reality was scary'
Moli Morgan, 22, went to Antalya for a sunshine break with her boyfriend, but suffered two seizures the night before she was due to fly home A young farmer's Turkish holiday turned into a life-threatening situation after what was initially brushed off as heatstroke led to a brain tumour diagnosis. Moli Morgan, 22, suffered two seizures while on a sunny break in Antalya with her boyfriend. She said local medics put it down to the scorching 30C heat. Returning to the UK, Moli's sister's advice saw her receive crucial scans at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Despite feeling "pretty much completely fine", she was left stunned by the discovery of a 4cm glioma inside her head. Moli found herself undergoing a four-hour awake craniotomy at Royal Stoke University Hospital in December last year, where surgeons asked her to repeat words in both Welsh - her first language - and English. Six months post-op, Moli has defied all expectations with what doctors are calling an "incredible" recovery. She's returned to everyday life on the family farm in Llanerfyl, Powys, expressing gratitude to the healthcare heroes who saved her life. Moli said: "It was obviously very scary and you expect the worst when you're told you have a brain tumour. I had no real warning signs before or during the holiday, I had never suffered any symptoms before. I have only ever had a migraine but didn't think anything of it at the time. Everything seemed to happen quickly." She booked a getaway with her boyfriend of six years, Ollie Higgins, 22, an automotive technician, last October. She said: "We'd had a lovely week there, it was really relaxed and there was a water park at the hotel which was great. It was hot, but not unbearable, around 28C to 30C. "I felt absolutely fine and there were no warning signs for what was about to come the day before we were due to fly home. I'd had trouble sleeping, but felt OK apart from that and then I suffered a seizure at around 1am in the morning, followed by a second one about 20 minutes later. "My boyfriend called the medics and they had a doctor on site at the hotel who told me it was probably just heatstroke. We had been in the sun all day and I hadn't drunk much water, so I sort of thought nothing more of it and that it was probably just heatstroke, and we flew home the next evening. "One of my three sisters is a nurse and she suggested we got to hospital to check it out just to be on the safe side. We went to Shrewsbury Hospital and had an MRI scan and got the results back the same day. "They had found I had a 4cm brain tumour on the left side and I just couldn't believe it, as I had no other real symptoms and felt completely fine. I do get a couple of migraines a year, but obviously that can be normal. It just came as such a massive shock. "You just sort of try and deal with it, I think my parents and sisters were more worried. I stayed in hospital for four or five days, having anti-seizure tablets before I was allowed home." Moli was later transferred to Royal Stoke, where she met with Dr Erminia Albanese, a consultant neurologist and her team, to discuss her options. Moli said: "My surgeon explained that the procedure I needed would involve me being awake. I didn't even really think about it, I just thought 'do whatever you need to do'. "While I was awake I had to have a translator there to make sure I was repeating words back in Welsh and English correctly. There was like this Powerpoint presentation with basic things like animals and food on them - and I had to repeat it back. "There were a couple of times I didn't get it right, so they knew that was the part affecting my language and not to interfere there. It's mind-blowing what they can do, really. "I remember parts of it, but the operation was around four hours and I don't remember it all. I had around 28 staples in my head and stayed in for a couple of days before I was allowed to go home. "The operation was December 9 and then I had a follow-up scan, which found the tumour was benign and non-cancerous, which was obviously great news. "I've had two follow-up MRI scans, and after my next one next month, they will start doing them every six months, so I'm still being monitored, but everything has been positive since." The hospital emphasised the importance of Moli having an interpreter during her surgery to maintain communication and ensure she retained her ability to speak Welsh post-operation. Dr Erminia Albanese said: "It was important we had our interpreter, Ben, with us during the operation. He would say a word in English and Moli had to reply in Welsh to ensure she could speak both Welsh and English after the tumour was removed. "It was amazing to see Moli and her Mum, her recovery has been incredible and it's great to see her doing well after the surgery." Following her recovery, Moli and her mum, Carol, showed their gratitude by donating £345 to Ward 228 and the UHNM Charity team, funds that were raised from a carol singing event organised by The Wales Federation of Young Farmers. Carol said: "It's so nice to be back here to see and thank everyone for their care. We have lots of memories of being here and our outcome has been very good." The NHS states that symptoms of a brain tumour can vary, depending on the specific part of the brain affected. Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, mental or behavioural changes - such as memory issues or personality alterations - progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and problems with vision or speech. The NHS recommends seeing a GP if you experience these types of symptoms, especially if you have a headache that feels different from your usual type, or if your headaches are worsening.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Doctors thought woman, 22, had heatstroke from Turkey holiday - reality was 'scary'
Doctors thought woman, 22, had heatstroke from Turkey holiday - reality was 'scary' Moli Morgan had been to Turkey on holiday and her symptoms were initially put down to too much sun Moli Morgan in hospital before she had surgery for brain tumour (Image: Moli Morgan/SWNS ) A young farmer was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour following a holiday to Turkey, after her symptoms were dismissed as heatstroke. Moli Morgan, 22, went to Antalya for a sunshine break with her boyfriend but suffered two seizures the night before she was due to fly home. Turkish doctors told her it was probably down to heatstroke after spending too much time in the 30C sun during their week-long trip. She returned to the UK the following day and went to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after being advised to by her sister, who is a nurse, and underwent a CT and MRI scan. Moli was left stunned to be told she had a life-threatening 4cm glioma on the left side of her head despite feeling "pretty much completely fine". She was transferred to a specialist neurology centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital, where it was decided the mass would be removed by an awake craniotomy. During the operation, Moli had to repeat words back in both Welsh and English to make sure the surgery didn't impact her ability to speak her first language, which is Welsh. The four-hour-long procedure on December 9 last year proved a success and Moli is now back helping out on the family farm in Llanerfyl, in Powys. Doctors described her recovery as "incredible" and Moli said she is "back to normal" six months on and has now thanked the medics who saved her life. Moli said: "It was obviously very scary and you expect the worst when you're told you have a brain tumour. I had no real warning signs before or during the holiday, I had never suffered any symptoms before. I have only ever had a migraine but didn't think anything of it at the time. Everything seemed to happen quickly." Article continues below Moli booked the holiday with her boyfriend Ollie Higgins, 22, a mechanic, whom she has been going out with for six years, in October last year. Moli Morgan on her holiday in Turkey (Image: Moli Morgan/SWNS ) She added: "We'd had a lovely week there, it was really relaxed and there was a water park at the hotel which was great. It was hot, but not unbearable, around 28C to 30C. "I felt absolutely fine and there were no warning signs for what was about to come the day before we were due to fly home. I'd had trouble sleeping, but felt OK apart from that and then I suffered a seizure at around 1am in the morning, followed by a second one about 20 minutes later. "My boyfriend called the medics and they had a doctor on site at the hotel who told me it was probably just heatstroke. We had been in the sun all day and I hadn't drunk much water, so I sort of thought nothing more of it and that it was probably just heatstroke, and we flew home the next evening. "One of my three sisters is a nurse and she suggested we got to hospital to check it out just to be on the safe side. We went to Shrewsbury Hospital and had an MRI scan and got the results back the same day. "They had found I had a 4cm brain tumour on the left side and I just couldn't believe it, as I had no other real symptoms and felt completely fine. I do get a couple of migraines a year, but obviously that can be normal. It just came as such a massive shock. "You just sort of try and deal with it, I think my parents and sisters were more worried. I stayed in hospital for four or five days, having anti-seizure tablets before I was allowed home." Moli Morgan in hospital with her dad the day after she had surgery for brain tumour (Image: Moli Morgan/SWNS ) Moli was later transferred to Royal Stoke, where she met with Dr Erminia Albanese, a consultant neurologist and her team, to discuss her options. Moli said: "My surgeon explained that the procedure I needed would involve me being awake. I didn't even really think about it, I just thought 'do whatever you need to do'. "While I was awake I had to have a translator there to make sure I was repeating words back in Welsh and English correctly. There was like this Powerpoint presentation with basic things like animals and food on them - and I had to repeat it back. "There were a couple of times I didn't get it right, so they knew that was the part affecting my language and not to interfere there. It's mind-blowing what they can do, really. "I remember parts of it, but the operation was around four hours and I don't remember it all. I had around 28 staples in my head and stayed in for a couple of days before I was allowed to go home. "The operation was December 9 and then I had a follow up scan, which found the tumour was benign and non-cancerous, which was obviously great news. "I've had two follow-up MRI scans, and after my next one next month, they will start doing them every six months, so I'm still being monitored, but everything has been positive since." The hospital said it was vital Moli had an interpreter with her so she could talk throughout the surgery and the team could do all the checks to ensure she didn't lose the ability to speak Welsh after the operation. Dr Erminia Albanese said: "It was important we had our interpreter, Ben, with us during the operation. He would say a word in English and Moli had to reply in Welsh to ensure she could speak both Welsh and English after the tumour was removed. 'It was amazing to see Moli and her Mum, her recovery has been incredible and it's great to see her doing well after the surgery.' Moli with her boyfriend Ollie, shortly after her operation in December 2024 (Image: Moli Morgan/SWNS ) Moli and her mum, Carol, have now presented a cheque for £345 to Ward 228 and members of the UHNM Charity team, which was raised through a carol singing night organised by The Wales Federation of Young Farmers. Article continues below Carol said: 'It's so nice to be back here to see and thank everyone for their care. We have lots of memories of being here and our outcome has been very good." The NHS says symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected. Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, persistently feeling sick, vomiting and drowsiness, mental or behavioural changes - such as memory problems or changes in personality - progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and vision or speech problems. The NHS advises to see a GP if you have these types of symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get, or if headaches are getting worse.
