'I dismissed symptoms as baby brain before husband's horrified look'
New mum, Amy Dyer, 37, thought her severe fatigue and headaches were 'baby brain' until a terrifying nocturnal seizure led to the grim discovery of a brain tumour.
Initially thinking that her lack of energy and difficulty focusing were just part and parcel of parenthood, Amy's world changed dramatically after the alarming episode in her sleep resulted in her being diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma.
Despite undergoing an awake craniotomy in June 2023, it was later found that Amy's tumour was an aggressive grade 3 astrocytoma. Her recovery journey included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, culminating in a clear scan in June 2025.
Amy, from Cullompton, Devon, who is a computer science teacher, said: "I'd had our little boy and was juggling life as a mum and teaching. I thought I had what everyone calls 'baby brain' tiredness, low concentration, feeling foggy.
"It all just felt like part of motherhood, especially after having a baby. I didn't go to the doctors because I genuinely thought it was just postnatal exhaustion, maybe low iron or fatigue. Nothing unusual."
However, in December 2022, the severity of her symptoms escalated, including "terrible" headaches, diminished attention span, and ultimately a seizure during sleep, prompting an urgent visit to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Recalling the distressing signs, she said: "I started having headaches, terrible ones that would wake me up in the middle of the night. Looking back, I realise my concentration levels were much lower than they should have been.
"I was startled to wake up to my sister, Chloe and husband, Will, staring at me in horror, I thought they were joking, how could I have had a seizure if I was asleep?"
At the hospital, she experienced another seizure and a CT scan uncovered a space-occupying lesion in her brain. She was immediately put on anti-seizure medication and scheduled for an MRI scan.
Amy said: "One minute I was in bed, the next, I was in hospital, facing brain scans and big decisions. It was dreadful."
Subsequent tests led to Amy being sent to University Hospital Plymouth for a biopsy, and in May 2023, she received a diagnosis of low-grade astrocytoma, a form of brain tumour. Confronted with the choice between observation or surgery, Amy opted for an awake craniotomy in June 2023.
Amy said: "I heard the words tumour and my world changed. I didn't want to wait to see if the tumour would develop, so I chose surgery.
"The risks scared me: seizures, complications, even death. But I knew I couldn't leave it and risk it becoming inoperable."
On June 8, 2023, Amy faced the operation at University Hospital Plymouth. The surgical team initially kept her conscious to ensure her brain function remained intact, instructing her to move her left hand, before proceeding under general anaesthetic to finish the surgery.
The operation was deemed successful and, after five days, Amy was discharged from the hospital.
"Thankfully, I didn't lose mobility on my left side," she said. "They weren't able to tell me the percentage of the tumour they removed, but I'm happy they felt the operation was a success."
Subsequent tests showed that the tumour was an aggressive grade 3 astrocytoma. "They sent it away to be tested and found out that it was in fact a grade 3 astrocytoma," she said.
"Doctors asked to keep some of the tumour to aid research which I agreed."
Since her diagnosis, she has been through physiotherapy, occupational therapy, 33 rounds of radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy. Amy now undergoes regular scans every four months.
In June 2025, she was elated to receive a clear scan, marking three years since her initial symptoms appeared. Amy hailed this as "great news".
Reflecting on her journey, she said: "I've learned to take life slower. Before, I was on a hamster wheel. Now I value people, time and memories more than possessions. I haven't had a seizure since the first two in 2022 and I received a clear scan for June 2025, which is great news."
Amy is currently engaged in fundraising efforts for Brain Tumour Research by taking part in the 88 Squats a Day in July Challenge, aiming to gather funds for research into a cure.
Katrina Jones, head of community fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Amy's strength and determination in sharing her story is truly inspiring, by opening up about her experience, she's not only raising vital awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours but also helping to highlight the urgent need for more funding into research. We're incredibly grateful for her support and proud to have her as part of our fundraising community."
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As astrocytes are found throughout the brain, astrocytomas can occur in many different areas of the brain. These tumours grow from cells that are vital in processing information in the brain, so they can disrupt the function of whichever area of the brain they are growing in. Some of these tumours grow in the cerebellum, which controls balance. They can also occur in the optic pathways, which are involved in sight. So, symptoms can be very different between people affected by these tumours. That being said, common astrocytoma symptoms could include: Headaches Difficulty speaking Change in vision, like double vision or blurriness Cognitive difficulties, like trouble thinking or remembering Seizures (epilepsy) Source: The Brain Tumour Charity On 8 June 2023, Amy underwent the procedure at University Hospital Plymouth. Surgeons initially kept her awake to monitor brain function, asking her to move her left hand, before placing her under general anaesthetic to complete the operation. The surgery was considered a success, and Amy spent five days in hospital. "Thankfully, I didn't lose mobility on my left side," she said. "They weren't able to tell me the percentage of the tumour they removed, but I'm happy they felt the operation was a success." 11 11 11 Further testing revealed the tumour was a more aggressive grade 3 astrocytoma. "They sent it away to be tested and found out that it was in fact a grade 3 astrocytoma," she said. "Doctors asked to keep some of the tumour to aid research which I agreed." Since then, she has undergone physiotherapy, occupational therapy, 33 sessions of radiotherapy, and oral chemotherapy. She now has routine scans every four months. In June 2025, she received a clear scan, three years after her first symptoms. Amy described this as "great news". She said: "I've learned to take life slower. "Before, I was on a hamster wheel. Now I value people, time and memories more than possessions. 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