Mother's Brain Tumour Misdiagnosed as Tinnitus During Pregnancy
A mother, heavily pregnant with her fourth child, had her symptoms dismissed as tinnitus after complaining of hearing loss, balance issues, and facial numbness. However, after seeking a second opinion, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Now in recovery, she aims to raise awareness of the subtle signs that can easily be overlooked.
Stephanie Hilliard, 50, from Somerset, first knew something was wrong when she began to lose her hearing in 2012. She visited her doctor twice, initially for water in her ear and later after hearing a ringing sound. Doctors diagnosed her with tinnitus, a chronic and incurable condition affecting around 13 percent of adults, characterised by buzzing, hissing, or roaring sounds often linked to hearing loss, loud noise exposure, or earwax buildup.
Symptoms Worsen During Pregnancy
As her condition deteriorated, Stephanie experienced pins and needles down one side of her face and a water-like sensation in her head. Around the same time, she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter, Lilly, in 2013. Her doctor sent her for a hearing test and referred her for an MRI scan.
"By then I was heavily pregnant, so they had to make sure it was safe for me to have the scan," she said. "I had the MRI and went home. I didn’t hear anything for six weeks and assumed no news was good news, so I carried on as normal. But I was wrong."
One day, while walking upstairs, she lost her balance and fell. Terrified for her unborn baby, she went to hospital for an ultrasound scan, which confirmed Lilly was fine, but the cause of her symptoms remained unknown. Shortly after, while having coffee with a friend, she received a call from the hospital.
Shocking Diagnosis and Delayed Results
"They told me I had swelling on the brain – a benign, slow-growing meningioma that they believed I may have had since I was around 18 years old," Stephanie recalled. "I felt shocked and angry that it had taken so long to receive my results. My thoughts immediately went to my unborn baby. What did this mean for my pregnancy?"
According to Macmillan, meningiomas are the most common type of primary brain tumour, typically affecting people over 35 and more common in women. As a tumour grows, it can press on nearby brain areas, causing symptoms by impairing normal brain function.
Stephanie was informed the tumour needed removal, but surgery carried risks including potential loss of hearing, sight, mobility, and even death. With a newborn on the way and three other children – Reece, 18, and twins Travis and Troy, 12 – she faced immense emotional strain.
Surgery and Recovery Challenges
Because Stephanie was in her final trimester, surgeons advised waiting until after Lilly's birth to operate. "It was an awful time. I felt constantly anxious and started googling brain tumours and swelling on the brain, which was the worst thing I could have done," she said.
Lilly was born healthy in July 2013, and in March 2014, Stephanie underwent surgery. "First, surgeons drilled a hole in my skull, and then we had to wait 24 hours before the main operation," she explained. "During that surgery, they removed part of the tumour. Due to its location, they were only able to remove about 60 percent. I was grateful they didn’t risk removing more. I had three children and a newborn I needed to go home to."
Post-surgery, she had to relearn basic tasks like eating, drinking, and dressing. "It wasn’t easy, especially with a baby who depended on me," she noted. "Having children made recovery harder. There are days when you want to stay in bed, but you can’t; your children rely on you."
Tumour Regrowth and Radiotherapy
In 2017, a routine MRI scan revealed the tumour had started growing again. "The fear returned immediately," Stephanie said. "The thought of more surgery and the impact on my children was overwhelming." This time, doctors recommended radiotherapy instead of surgery. "It was hard going, but eventually things settled," she added.
Stephanie now participates in the 10,000 Steps A Day in February challenge for Brain Tumour Research, an annual commitment for the past four years. "It’s my way of supporting vital research. Walking helps me stay focused and positive too," she shared.
Life After Diagnosis
"A brain tumour is invisible, and people often forget it’s an unseen disability," Stephanie reflected. "I still have balance issues, the nerves in my face have been affected, and I get tired easily, but I’ve learned to live with it and remind myself that I will get through it. Everyone’s journey is different."
Unable to return to work due to balance problems, she is now a full-time carer for her daughter, who has a disability. "Life is different, but I keep going – for my children, and for myself," she affirmed.
Letty Greenfield, community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented: "Stephanie's story highlights just how devastating a brain tumour diagnosis can be, not only for the individual, but for their entire family. Supporters like Stephanie are crucial in helping us fund research to find kinder treatments and better outcomes for all those affected by this disease, and getting us closer to the day when a cure is found."
What Is a Meningioma?
Meningiomas are a type of brain tumour originating in the meninges, the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord. Most are benign and slow-growing, but some can be faster-growing. They may not cause obvious symptoms and are often discovered during tests for other issues. As a tumour grows, it can press on brain areas, causing symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Balance problems
- Weakness in limbs
- Vision changes
- Speech or swallowing difficulties
- Personality changes
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over months or years, depending on tumour size, position, and growth rate. Source: Macmillan Cancer Support.
