Kerry Brown, 54, a production manager from Hull, was diagnosed with multiple meningiomas after initially mistaking her symptoms for menopause. What began as hot flushes and unusual sensations gradually developed into seizures and vision problems, eventually leading to the discovery of 10 brain tumours. Following life-changing surgery, Kerry has had to adapt to long-term effects including seizures, vision loss and changes to her independence. Despite ongoing uncertainty and the recent news that some tumours have begun to regrow, Kerry remains determined to stay positive, share her experience, and support Brain Tumour Research to help improve outcomes for others facing a similar diagnosis.
Kerry tells her story…
Looking back, I’d say my symptoms probably started around 2017 when I was getting hot flushes. I’d get this warm, tingling feeling passing through my body which I thought was hormonal. But then all the colour would drain from me, I’d start slurring, feel really tired and sleepy, and I’d need to get to the toilet quickly. At the time, I didn’t think much of it.
I was having these episodes for a couple of years. Then I went to Specsavers in Hull because I felt like I had a thumbprint over my vision in my right eye.
They thought it might be a virus and told me to come back if it didn’t improve. When I went back, the optician said he could see some swelling behind my eye and referred me to Hull Royal Infirmary.
When I eventually got my appointment, the specialist said she could just about see what the optician had picked up and sent me for an MRI. A couple of months later, I got a phone call on a Sunday night asking me to come into hospital the next day to see the on-call consultant. I still didn’t know what was wrong.
When I arrived and saw pictures of brains on the walls, I started to realise something wasn’t right. The consultant asked me some questions like whether I had headaches and whether I could walk upstairs, and then he said they had found four brain tumours. I was in complete shock. My partner, Gary, was with me, and thankfully he stayed calm. The consultant told us they were low-grade but needed removing, as two of them were over two centimetres.
I asked how long recovery would take, and the consultant said about a year. I remember saying, “You’ve got no chance – I’m not taking a year off.”
Before my surgery, I had a major seizure in my sleep. I woke up feeling awful, like I had a hangover, and later started being sick while trying to drive to work. I ended up back in hospital and stayed there for several days before surgery.
During the operation, they discovered not four tumours – but 10. I remember saying to the surgeon afterwards, “Every time I speak to you, you find more.”
After surgery, I was in hospital for about five days, and the tumours were confirmed as meningiomas – the most common form of adult primary brain tumour. I was still having seizures and had to go on steroids and anti-seizure medication. I also lost my driving licence and had to be seizure-free for a year before I could even think about getting it back. When they tried to wean me off the medication, I had another seizure, so I had to go back on it again.
One of the biggest impacts was on my sight. The tumour at the front of my head had been pressing on my optic nerve. They hoped that removing it would release the pressure, but it didn’t. The nerve continued to die, and I’m now blind in my right eye. I had to go through the DVLA process again just to be allowed to drive with one eye.
Recovery took time. My memory wasn’t great, and my personality changed. I was told I might become short-tempered, and I definitely did. I also had to rely on people for years to drive me everywhere, which was really hard. But now, I’d say I live a fairly normal life again.
Recently, I went for a follow-up appointment where I was told that two of the tumours have started to grow again.
I took Emma, my daughter, with me but I honestly expected to be told everything was fine or that I wouldn’t need another scan for a while. I was disappointed to hear about the growth, but I also knew I’d just have to get on with it. I’ve now been referred to Sheffield Teaching Hospitals for radiotherapy in the hope it can shrink them enough to avoid another operation.
The care I’ve received at Hull Royal Infirmary has been incredible. My consultant has been amazing and really understands me and my journey. I remember once being told my surgery might be cancelled due to lack of ICU beds, and I completely broke down. I’d only just learned to walk and talk again after a seizure and couldn’t face going through it all again. Thankfully, they managed to go ahead.
I decided to support Brain Tumour Research after seeing fundraising events on Facebook.
I enjoy walking, and I’d recently lost two and a half stone, so the 99 Miles in November challenge felt like the right thing to do. Knowing how underfunded research into brain tumours is, and having experienced this first-hand, really motivated me.
I know what it’s like to go through this. I’ve lived it. If sharing my story helps raise awareness or helps someone else feel less alone, then it’s worth it.
Kerry Brown
March 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 inspired by Kerry’s story,  or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.
