Lisa Wootten, 38, experienced seizures for a year before finally being diagnosed with a meningioma, just days after giving birth to her son Noah. She shares her story of coping with the lifelong impacts of her tumour and the importance of fundraising to help find new treatments and cures for the disease.
In January 2023, I suddenly got very ill. I was really fit and healthy so it came as a surprise. I was also independent and didn’t rely on others for much help. But the pain in my lower back was excruciating and I could not move. I asked my mum to come over as I was in such agony. I couldn’t walk; I had to crawl to the bathroom. Then I had a spasm on my left side which my mum assumed was a stroke. I was assessed by an ambulance team, assured it was not a stroke, and taken to hospital for further tests that showed a kidney infection. I asked about the spasm and was told it was related to the pain so I didn’t think I could dispute this. I experienced more spasms over the next 18 months but these were dismissed by four doctors.
Pre-pregnancy
I’ve always dreamt of being a mum so, at the end of 2023, I decided to proceed with my plans for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with a sperm donor. I got pregnant in January 2024 and was really excited about having a baby. All through the pregnancy I had spasms, but these didn’t seem to cause medical staff any concern.
Then, on the morning of 28th September 2024 when I was 38 weeks pregnant, I had two focal seizures each lasting 15 minutes. These were followed by a tonic clonic seizure which lasted 35 minutes. My lips turned blue and I was rushed to hospital to undergo tests and to make sure my unborn baby was unharmed. Doctors were alarmed by my condition, and I was taken in for an emergency caesarean section.
Two days before giving birth
Noah was born that afternoon. I thought I’d feel overwhelming joy, but instead I was in shock and still processing this rushed birth. Apparently I had a seizure during the c-section so I was worrying about what was happening to me.
But doctors assumed the seizures were a symptom of pre-eclampsia, so after all the usual checks and monitoring, I was discharged.
I enjoyed breastfeeding, had plans for my maternity leave and was looking forward to bonding with Noah. Then I had another tonic clonic seizure on 11th October, just after putting Noah to bed. I called for help and was taken to hospital. Two days later, after tests and an MRI scan, I was diagnosed with meningioma. It wasn’t as much of a shock because of my own research I had done, in the absence of any doctors listening or taking my symptoms seriously.
I had surgery soon after and then started to feel anxious. I kept getting what were previously warning signs of a seizure, yet this sensation was now constant. I now never knew when a seizure was about to happen because I lost my warning sign. The hospital wanted to discharge me three days after surgery, but I insisted on staying longer because I was worried about going home to Noah and something not being right. I had a constant sensation of electricity running through the left side of my body. I had physiotherapy and speech therapy to confirm I was well enough to leave the hospital, which I was.
I feel blessed that my tumour is benign but also frustrated that it’s not always taken seriously. I still had to go through surgery and I continue living with lifelong impacts, such as epilepsy; the main thing I was terrified of having. I could have a seizure at any time.
For the first three months of Noah’s life, I wasn’t allowed to be left on my own with him. I felt like we couldn’t bond. I had to give up breastfeeding due to multiple medications and needed to build confidence in being left alone with Noah.
I wasn’t allowed to drive and felt like my independence was taken away from me. The side effects of my anti-seizure medication caused psychosis. I experienced rage and was horrible to my family. It was completely out of character, and my medication had to be changed. I’ve had to share seizure awareness guides with my family so they can help me, and I will have to teach Noah when he’s a bit older. I dread the day when I have a seizure in front of him as I know how terrifying it is.
I am passionate about advocating for people who don’t have support and confidence in speaking about what they are going through. So many patients have been ignored and dismissed by medical staff; it's important to trust yourself when you notice signs that something could be wrong and to understand your rights as a patient.
In September 2025, I joined Walk of Hope. I wanted to support a charity with strong ethics that stood with the brain tumour community.
I planned my own event at a park in Essex the day before Noah’s birthday which made it feel extra meaningful. It inspired me to raise more awareness and became my focus to learn more about tumours and speak about the lack of funding for vital research.
Cycling for 200k in May
I've continued to fundraise for Brain Tumour Research by taking on physical challenges such as 99 Miles in November, 200k in May and 88 Squats a Day in July. If I get tired, it can trigger an epilepsy episode. It’s not always easy to commit to these challenges. To a "normal" person, it may seem like an easy task, but to me it is the equivalent to running a marathon. The reason I still do the challenges is to not only push myself but knowing it brings attention to this disease.
I'm getting ready for this year's Walk of Hope by planning a day at Maldon Promenade Park. I've informed the local council, started advertising on social media and reached out to the community. It's a public space so there'll be people out and about who may not have heard of Brain Tumour Research and the impacts of tumours. I'm going to make sure I've got information to share and buckets to collect spare change. Every penny makes a difference.
Join our Walk of Hope wherever you are, knowing you’re doing your bit to help change outcomes for the one in three people who knows someone affected by a brain tumour. Register today.
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