Jane Redmond
24th May 2024
Annette Fletcher, a nurse at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, is raising awareness for brain tumours following her diagnosis and treatment two years ago. Annette was able to return to work last October and wants to share her story to show there can be a positive outcome, “Throughout my diagnosis and treatment journey I received incredible care and support which helped me remain positive for the future. My sister always told me to focus on the step in front of you and not on the whole staircase.”
Prior to her diagnosis in February 2022, Annette had experienced no headaches, but her family noticed she was having ‘funny turns’ which she later found out to be absent seizures. Annette’s family and work colleagues also began to notice changes in her personality and that she was behaving out of character. Annette suffered a major seizure and following a brain scan she was given the devastating news that she had a brain tumour. She was told the tumour was the size of a small orange and had been growing for years, and that she needed urgent surgery to remove the tumour which was, thankfully, a success.
Annette is so grateful for the amazing care she received at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Throughout her recovery, she has had incredible support from her family, friends and work colleagues, as well as the Wellbeing Team at the hospital. Lydia Hemus, a Wellbeing Officer from the Wellbeing Team said, “Annette has been so steadfast and strong throughout her treatment journey and it’s reassuring for others to know her care has been so positive.”
Brain tumours are the biggest killer of children and adults under 40 and over 5,300 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year. Over 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour, including 500 children and young people, and just 12% of adults survive for five years after diagnosis. Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the management and treatment of brain tumours. Over £700m is spent on cancer research in the UK each year, yet less than 3% is spent on brain tumours.
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of funding brain tumour research and supporting patients going through their treatment journey. The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund, supported by Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, funds vital research into brain tumours at the hospital, as well as providing added extras to patients, their families and staff.
Annette feels extremely lucky to have been able to go back to work, she said, “It’s a privilege to be a nurse, I am so proud to be able to wear my uniform again and return to the job I love.” Annette is sharing her story to highlight her positive treatment journey and also wants to raise awareness of other symptoms associated with brain tumours, as she didn’t have any headaches prior to her diagnosis. She wants to encourage people not to ignore any changes they or family and friends notice and to go to GP.
The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund was founded in 2015 by former England cricketer Ashley Giles MBE and his wife Stine, following her diagnosis and battle with multiple brain tumours. Since the charity was launched in 2015 and it has raised more than £1million which has helped fund research nurses, pioneering facilities and equipment and support for patients, their families and staff. Most recently The Giles’ Trust has funded Stine’s Home from Home, providing brain tumour patients and their families with free accommodation near to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
© 2020 The Giles' Trust is a part of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, a company limited by guarantee in England (No.10004003) and a charity registered in England and Wales (No.1165716). Registered Office: Fisher House, Mindelsohn Way, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2GN
