Lizzie Pitt, 46, dismissed her signs as stress at first
Lizzie Pitt with husband Al (Picture: Mind Tumour Analysis/SWNS)
A mom who attributed her migraines to the pressures of relocating was subsequently identified with a terminal mind tumour. Lizzie Pitt, 46, skilled sudden nausea in February 2025 and her son Felix, then 10, found her on the ground “appearing bizarre”.
She put it right down to the pressure of transferring residence and “juggling” work and household commitments, however when she misplaced management of her legs through the night time she was taken urgently to Airedale Hospital in Yorkshire. Scans revealed a mind tumour, which she was initially knowledgeable was not cancerous, and she or he underwent surgical procedure to take away nearly all of the expansion.
The total-time artwork trainer and particular academic wants and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) was subsequently knowledgeable she had grade 4 glioblastoma – and was given six months to stay with out therapy. She has since acquired chemotherapy and radiotherapy and electrical hyperthermia immunotherapy therapy to increase her life.
Lizzie, from Hawkswick, North Yorkshire, mentioned: “My mind tumour journey started fully out of the blue. Felix, who was 10 on the time, discovered me on the ground ‘appearing bizarre’, which we thought was a migraine or stress as I saved repeating how sick I felt.
“We would simply moved home and I used to be juggling work and household life, so this felt believable. However through the night time, I realised my legs weren’t working correctly, and once I noticed I would bitten by my tongue, I knew one thing wasn’t proper.”
Lizzie – who’s mom to Rowan, 18, and Felix, 11 – was rushed to hospital following her seizure. She mentioned: “After calling 111, an ambulance was despatched, and following quite a few assessments and scans at Airedale Hospital, medical doctors discovered a mind tumour. They could not inform me rather more and despatched me residence to attend for Leeds Basic Infirmary to contact us.
“5 weeks later, my husband, Al, and I attended my appointment, the place we had been informed the tumour wasn’t regarded as most cancers. They suggested me to return to work and informed me surgical procedure would happen in August 2025. However after two additional scans, every little thing modified. I used to be known as again in and informed the tumour was turning into aggressive.”
Lizzie’s process was introduced ahead by 4 months and she or he underwent an awake craniotomy in April 2025, with surgeons eradicating the majority of the tumour. She skilled momentary mobility points after the operation, spent 4 days in hospital and required two blood transfusions earlier than being discharged.
Nonetheless, she then acquired a phone name with devastating information.
Lizzie Pitt was identified with glioblastoma after struggling a seizure at her residence in February 2025 (Picture: Mind Tumour Analysis/SWNS)
“I used to be informed that they had acquired it incorrect and that my tumour was really glioblastoma, grade 4, and terminal,” Lizzie mentioned. “I used to be given six months with out therapy, or 12 to 18 months with therapy, and I used to be in complete shock.
“Glioblastoma had by no means as soon as been talked about, so I felt completely let down. Regardless of the prognosis, I went residence decided to be taught every little thing I might. I felt match and effectively and struggled to reconcile that with what I used to be studying, however with the assistance of buddies I started navigating the horrifying world of glioblastoma analysis and making an attempt to work out what was credible and value pursuing.”
Lizzie commenced mixed radiotherapy and chemotherapy at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, with buddies organising a rota for the 90-mile spherical journey following the lack of her driving licence. The mom then began electrical hyperthermia immunotherapy therapy in London beneath the supervision of a marketing consultant medical oncologist, financed by group donations to her GoFundMe web page.
“I am nonetheless the identical Lizzie I used to be in the beginning of 2025, simply dwelling with an uninvited lodger,” she mentioned. “Bodily, I stay energetic and effectively, however emotionally this analysis has modified our household ceaselessly.
“We will now not plan forward as we as soon as did, and whereas I miss having the ability to work full-time, I’m decided to stay hopeful and to see my youngsters develop up. I am extremely grateful to have the ability to endure electrical hyperthermia immunotherapy in London, which has solely been attainable due to the generosity of those that supported my GoFundMe, notably our college group. I’ve additionally begun part two of chemotherapy and proceed to discover each choice accessible to me.”
Lizzie is talking out to boost consciousness and champion Mind Tumour Analysis. The charity has dedicated £2.6 million in direction of establishing a brand new Centre of Excellence on the College of Nottingham, driving ahead progress in growing enhanced glioblastoma remedies.
“I need to share my story to boost consciousness of the devastating impression a mind tumour analysis has on individuals and households each single day,” she mentioned. “Whereas I’m extremely grateful for the surgical care I acquired, I’ve confronted a number of diagnostic errors and have needed to self-advocate all through my journey.
“I’ve explored vitamin, built-in oncology, repurposed medication, and rising remedies, a lot of that are solely accessible by non-public funding. If there’s one factor I’ve realized, it is that nobody expects to be right here, till they’re. Mind tumours don’t discriminate, and folks deserve higher readability, higher choices, and higher hope than presently exists.”
Lizzie Pitt in hospital (Picture: Mind Tumour Analysis/SWNS)
Ashley McWilliams, group growth supervisor at Mind Tumour Analysis, mentioned: “Lizzie’s story highlights the pressing want for higher analysis and simpler remedies for aggressive tumours like glioblastoma. Regardless of being one of many greatest most cancers killers of youngsters and adults beneath 40, mind tumours stay chronically underfunded.
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“We urgently want higher funding in analysis and to develop entry to modern scientific trials, so sufferers usually are not confronted with the unattainable selection of getting to fundraise privately to pursue potential remedies.
“That’s the reason assist for our Nottingham Centre of Excellence is so very important. The Centre is concentrated on enhancing understanding of glioblastoma recurrence and accelerating the event of recent remedies. Each donation helps us transfer nearer to discovering a treatment and giving sufferers like Lizzie and people identified sooner or later, actual hope.”
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