‘I thought my symptoms were baby brain – until the doctors found a brain tumour’

Amy Dyer had put her symptoms down to 'baby brain' - a state which comes with forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and feeling mentally scattered as a result of hormone changes in and post pregnancy. The new mum believed that her fatigue, headaches and low concentration were all just a part of that new parent life. That was until a frightening seizure led to doctors discovering a much more serious diagnosis instead (Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

Amy, 37, who worked as a computer science teacher in Cullompton, Devon, 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’
(Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

It was in December 2022 that Amy had a seizure in her sleep that would lead to her diagnosis, not even aware that her headaches were anything but typical results of juggling so much between new motherhood and her job as a teacher. Amy was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, with doctors diagnosing her 'terrible' headaches in her sleep instead as seizures. At the hospital she suffered a second seizure, and a CT scan revealed that there was a lesion in her brain (Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

'I started having headaches, terrible ones that would wake me up in the middle of the night,' Amy said. '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?' (Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

Amy was prescribed anti-seizure medication and given further tests, including an MRI scan and a biopsy at the University Hospital Plymouth, where in May 2023 she was diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma, which is a type of brain tumour. Given the options to wait and see how the tumour progresses or have surgery, she chose to have an awake craniotomy the following June. Amy spent five days in hospital and the surgery was considered a success (Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

The doctors discovered that the tumour was, in fact, a grade 3 astrocytoma, more aggressive than they first thought. Since the discovery, Amy has undergone treatments such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiotherapy, and oral chemotherapy, and has scans every fourth months. It was in June of this year that she received a clear scan, three years after her first symptoms (Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

She said of the experience: 'I’ve learned to take life slower. Before, I was on a hamster wheel. Now I value people, time and memories more than possessions.' Amy is now fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, participating in the 88 Squats a Day in July Challenge to raise money for a cure. Katrina Jones, who is Head of Community Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said of her dedication to the cause: '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' (Picture: Amy Dyer / SWNS)

Symptoms of a brain tumour, according to the NHS

• Headaches
 • Seizures (fits)
 • Persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
 • Mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
 • Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
 • Vision or speech problems
 
Sometimes you may not have any symptoms to begin with, or they may develop very slowly over time. These symptoms are not always signs of a tumour, so always seek the advice of a medical professional (Picture: Getty)