A 23-year-old law graduate has shared his story after discovering that symptoms he put down to exam stress and fatigue were actually caused by a hidden brain tumour.
From University Stress to a Shocking Diagnosis
Ollie Cook, from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, first began experiencing tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and unexplained muscle loss during his final year studying law at the University of Manchester. Believing himself to be fit and healthy, he attributed these issues to the pressures of his degree.
His symptoms persisted even after he graduated and embarked on a four-month solo trip across South East Asia. Upon his return in December 2023, he visited his GP but was discharged with only physiotherapy exercises, as doctors could not pinpoint a specific cause for his broad and general symptoms.
A Critical Collapse and the Discovery
The situation reached a crisis point in June 2025. Shortly after returning from a three-month legal placement in Kenya, Ollie collapsed at home with an aneurysm. He was rushed by emergency ambulance to Lincoln Hospital.
It was there that blood tests finally revealed the truth: Ollie had a pituitary tumour, a growth on the pituitary gland. Doctors estimated it had been developing for around 18 months, correlating directly with the start of his symptoms.
Life After Surgery and a Message of Awareness
Ollie was transferred to Sheffield Hospital, where surgeons successfully removed the entire tumour along with half of his pituitary gland. He requires no further treatment like chemotherapy but must take hormone replacement therapy and other medications, and undergo MRI scans every six months to monitor for any recurrence.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Ollie said the uncertainty and miscommunication during his diagnosis led to severe anxiety and depression. "I wanted answers and the frustration of not knowing why I was deteriorating meant I was hitting rock bottom," he explained.
Shannon Winslade, Head of Services at The Brain Tumour Charity, praised Ollie for sharing his story to raise awareness. The charity offers support via its Support and Information Line on 0808 800 0004.
