‘I woke up with a puffy eye, doctors were shocked I hadn’t had a seizure’

A woman in Wales woke up one morning with a headache and a puffy eye, assuming it was just a harmless inflammation. However, her journey to the hospital uncovered a shocking truth. Nikki Bennett, a 41-year-old from Abergele, North Wales, started experiencing unusual symptoms in June this year. After searching online and thinking she had temporal arteritis, she went to the A&E for further investigation.

Despite initial tests showing nothing alarming, doctors decided to conduct a CT scan, which revealed a large mass in the front left of her brain. Nikki shared, “Before my diagnosis my life was brilliant. I had just changed career from accountancy to customer service in a garage.” The discovery of the brain tumour surprised Nikki, but she approached the situation with calm determination.

She was swiftly referred to The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust for emergency surgery to remove the tumour. Following a successful operation, Nikki faced a setback when she was readmitted to the hospital with meningitis. Despite the challenges, Nikki remains positive about her hospital experience, praising the care and support she received.

Nikki’s husband, Liam, stayed at a charity-funded accommodation during her treatment and is now raising funds for the hospital through a series of challenges. Both Nikki and Liam aim to raise awareness about brain tumours and advocate for more research, early diagnosis, and improved treatment options. The couple emphasises the importance of recognising signs and symptoms early to prevent more severe consequences.

Nikki’s resilience and gratitude towards the medical staff at The Walton Centre highlight the crucial role of healthcare professionals in patient care. As Nikki continues her recovery journey, she looks ahead to raising awareness about brain tumours and supporting others facing similar challenges.