A woman thought she had blocked ears due to a flight until doctors found a tumour growing on her brain.
Amy Frankcom says her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed as a blocked ear and headaches following a flight home from Lapland with husband Simon and daughter Olivia.
However, the issues turned out to be something much more serious.
At just 31, she was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma – a rare, benign tumour – the size of a lime, after four months of symptoms.
“Hearing the words ‘you have a brain tumour’ was utterly terrifying,” Amy, from Bristol, told Need To Know.
“In that moment, everything stopped, my mind went straight to the worst-case scenarios and the fear completely took over.
“It’s something I will never forget, and it changed my life in an instant.”
Within days of her diagnosis, in February 2024, the mum underwent emergency brain surgery to remove the 6cm tumour.
While the operation was successful, she has been left with complete hearing loss in her right ear.
Now 33, Amy, who runs her own pet business called Love Loui, said: “After we returned from a holiday, my left ear felt blocked.
“The doctor said it was probably due to flying.
“Then, I started getting shooting pains on the right-hand side of my neck and the top of my head – quick, sudden pains.
“I went back to the doctors numerous times and was told they were headaches caused by the flight.
“By February, there was still no resolution but then a student doctor suggested an MRI, just to be on the safe side, as the symptoms had been going on for a while.
“I got an urgent referral to South Bristol Community Hospital.
“They told me they weren’t expecting to find anything but wanted to check just to be on the safe side.
“I didn’t think much of it and waited for the results.
“Then I got a phone call one evening.
“Straight away, I knew it must be serious.
“The doctor said she didn’t know whether to wait and book an appointment, but felt it was best that I knew immediately.
“She told me they had found a brain tumour.
“Early diagnosis is so important.
“I would tell anyone not to ignore their symptoms, no matter how common they seem.
“I have lost my hearing completely on my right side.
“I’ve been fitted with cross hearing aids, a microphone in my right ear and a receiver in my left.”
Despite everything she has been through, Amy is determined to turn her experience into something positive, and is taking on the iconic 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon to raise money and awareness for Brain Tumour Research.
She added: “Being able to run the London Marathon means so much to me.
“After everything I’ve been through, it will feel incredibly special to stand on that start line and show that a brain tumour diagnosis doesn’t define what’s possible.
“If my journey can give even one person hope or encourage someone to listen to their body and seek help, then every mile will be worth it.”
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumour research since records began in 2002.
There are more than 100 types of brain tumour, making them one of the most complex cancers to treat.
Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Amy’s determination to take on the London Marathon after everything she has been through is truly inspiring.
“Brain tumours are indiscriminate and devastating, and stories like Amy’s highlight why greater investment in research is so urgently needed.
“We are incredibly grateful to Amy for turning her experience into action and helping us raise vital funds and awareness as we work towards finding a cure.”
