A mother of five says doctors dismissed her pins and needles as an old rock climbing injury before scans revealed terminal brain cancer had spread like a 'spiderweb' in her head. Bryony Hill, 40, from Selston, Nottinghamshire, first visited her GP in September 2025 with headaches and a 'lumpy skull' and was given migraine medication.
When she began suffering ankle pain in October, she went to A&E and was told she had tendonitis, linked to breaking her ankle while rock climbing 18 years earlier. The tingling in her right foot worsened and spread up the right side of her body, leading to an MRI referral in April 2026.
Seizure before 40th birthday trip
The day before a planned trip for her 40th birthday, Bryony woke up after having a seizure and was rushed to hospital. An emergency MRI revealed a brain tumour, and a biopsy confirmed stage 4 glioblastoma, which is inoperable because it spreads like a 'spiderweb' into her central nervous system.
Glioblastomas are the most common and most malignant primary brain tumours, spreading quickly and proving difficult to treat. Bryony described the progression: "It got to a point where I had to stop driving for safety reasons because I was like 'I can't feel my leg.'"
Fundraiser for alternative treatment
Because the tumour is incurable, her family has set up a fundraiser to pay for alternative treatment abroad. Bryony said: "My husband is on the internet every day trying to find anything and everything that can prolong life as much as possible. I've got five children that I'll be leaving behind, time is very precious, any extra time is huge."
The NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, on behalf of the GP surgery, said: "We are unable to discuss individual cases, to protect patient confidentiality. We would encourage all patients to make contact with the practice to discuss any concerns they may have about their care."
