For Fraser Haines, 57, a father of three from Swindon, waking up with double vision one morning was the start of a journey that led to a shock brain tumour diagnosis. After years of monitoring, debilitating headaches led to surgery and Fraser was diagnosed with a meningioma. He believes he is living proof that research can help save lives and is supporting Brain Tumour Research by raising money to help find a cure.
Fraser tells his story…
My journey started in March 2021. One Saturday, I watched my son play football and everything was completely normal. I went to bed that evening feeling absolutely fine.
The next morning, I woke up and immediately knew something wasn't right.
I turned on the television and realised I could see two televisions instead of one. The double vision was severe and had started literally overnight.
My wife Michelle is a nurse, so when I told her what was happening, one of the first things she asked was whether I had a headache. I didn't.
The following day I went to see my GP, who referred me to the eye clinic at Swindon Hospital. Doctors initially thought the problem might be caused by a muscle behind my eye not working properly, but as a precaution they arranged CT and MRI scans.
I was frightened. When they called me back and told me they had found a brain tumour, I was completely shocked.
I never imagined for one second that I would hear those words.
The doctor explained that the tumour had actually been discovered by chance and wasn't believed to be causing my double vision. It was located in my left frontal lobe, close to my temple.
Because the tumour wasn’t causing symptoms at that stage, the decision was made to monitor it through regular scans. For the next three-and-a-half years I had MRI scans every three months.
Then, in October 2024, things started to change.
I began experiencing severe headaches and tinnitus. The headaches became so bad that by February 2025 I couldn't get out of bed. I had never taken time off work before, but I was working in the press shop at BMW MINI in Swindon and simply couldn't cope with the noise anymore.
I contacted my surgical team in Oxford and asked whether there was any way my operation could be brought forward because the pain had become unbearable.
An operation was scheduled for April, but then it was cancelled when my surgeon broke his hand while skiing in Italy. I was devastated.
The headaches were becoming relentless, and I felt like I was running out of options.
Then, just a few days later, I received a phone call that changed everything.
The hospital told me that a highly respected neurosurgeon in Oxford would perform the surgery instead.
I was admitted on the Sunday before my operation and underwent fresh CT and MRI scans.
That night was probably the hardest part of my entire journey. My wife and children left the hospital, and I was alone with my thoughts.
Even harder than receiving the diagnosis was knowing that surgery was only hours away and not knowing what the outcome would be.
The following morning my surgeon explained that the tumour was very close to my speech nerve. He told me there was a risk that if the nerve was damaged during surgery, I might never speak again. That was terrifying.
I signed the consent forms and put my trust completely in the medical team. The operation lasted eight hours.
When I woke up, I felt amazing. My headaches had gone. My speech was unaffected. I had no neurological deficits.
I had 48 staples running across my head and two black eyes, but I was walking within two hours of surgery. I still can't quite believe it.
The tumour was sent away for testing and I later learned it was a meningioma, the lowest grade possible.
The surgeons successfully removed the entire tumour. I was discharged from hospital on the Thursday, far sooner than I ever expected. The treatment I received was incredible.
My surgeon told me that 25 years ago the outcome could have been very different. That's why research is so important.
Today, I continue to have regular scans and will remain under follow-up care for 10 years. I still experience some fatigue and occasionally need to slow down, but my recovery continues to improve.
Throughout everything, my wife Michelle, my three children, my grandchildren, my family, friends and colleagues have been amazing.
Their support helped me stay positive when life felt uncertain.
If I could give one piece of advice to someone receiving a diagnosis today, it would be to stay positive.
I know that's easier said than done, but positivity carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life.
There were times when I felt scared, angry and overwhelmed, but I always tried to focus on what was ahead rather than what could go wrong.
A brain tumour diagnosis changes your perspective completely. It makes you appreciate every day, every family moment and every opportunity you get.
That's why I'm supporting Brain Tumour Research. The research being funded today will save lives tomorrow.
I'm living proof of how important that work is.
Fraser Haines
August 2026
One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been touched by Fraser's story, you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.
