A young woman from Scotland who experienced a terrifying seizure while on a holiday in Ibiza initially believed her drink had been spiked, only to receive a devastating brain tumour diagnosis months later.
Holiday Horror and Initial Relief
Amy McNamara, a 30-year-old accountant from Bathgate, West Lothian, was enjoying a break with friends on the Spanish island in May 2023 when the incident occurred. She laid down for a rest one evening, only to wake up to paramedics bursting into her room after a friend witnessed her having a seizure.
"I thought, maybe someone's put something in my drink," Amy recalled. After basic medical checks on the island showed no immediate cause, she was discharged feeling fine and continued her holiday, dismissing the event as a frightening one-off.
Ongoing Symptoms and a Chance Discovery
However, back home in the following months, Amy began suffering from random panic attacks and episodes of blurred vision. Initially attributing it to screen time from her accounting job, she eventually consulted her GP.
Referred to neurology, she received a tentative diagnosis of epilepsy and was sent for a scan. Amy emphasises that her diagnosis was largely "down to chance." She nearly didn't have the scan, and when she did, the hospital initially forgot to use a contrast dye.
A nurse called her back at the last minute for the crucial second scan, which revealed the truth: a grade four astrocytoma, an aggressive primary brain tumour.
Complex Surgery and Gruelling Treatment
In August 2023, Amy underwent surgery. Due to the tumour's location in the left temporal lobe, surgeons could only remove 90% initially, fearing total removal would affect her speech. Her surgeon, whom she trusted completely, performed a second operation, successfully removing 95% of the growth.
Her battle was far from over. Amy then endured six weeks of daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy, followed by an additional six months of chemo. The treatment was physically draining and psychologically terrifying.
"It's tough to know that some of it was, and is, still here," she said, struggling to accept the upheaval and the challenge of returning to her previous work standards.
Finding Vital Support and Giving Back
At her lowest ebb, Amy found free counselling from the Brain Tumour Charity. "I could talk about things I couldn't tell my mum," she explained. "I'd been in a bad way... writing letters to leave to my family. I was scared of dying, and at the same time, trying to pretend everything was fine."
The counselling provided a lifeline, helping improve her mood and manage memory issues, anger, and fear. Grateful for the support for herself and her family, Amy is now determined to help others.
She has since embarked on an 'Active Autumn' fitness challenge to raise funds for the charity, aiming to aid other families facing similar crises and to reclaim her own fitness. Her fundraising journey continues as she remains under observation with scans every three months.
