'I had to relearn how to walk and even make a cup of tea'

MUM WHO THOUGHT HEADACHES WERE CAUSED BY NEW MEDICATION DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

- By MARK PAGE [e-mail] @markwpage

A MUM who blamed her headaches and sickness on side effects from new fibromyalgia medication eventually found out she had stage four brain cancer after collapsing at work. Verity Phillips, 35, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in February 2022 and was initially given just 12 to 18 months to live.

Following her collapse at work, Verity had initially thought her symptoms were caused by new medication she had begun taking for fibromyalgia - but her condition worsened and she was rushed to hospital. Scans revealed a mass on her brain, and she was transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary where surgeons drained excess fluid and took a biopsy which subsequently confirmed her brain cancer diagnosis.

In April 2022, Verity underwent a second operation where 89 per cent of her tumour was removed, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy and 12 months of chemotherapy. Three years on, the mum-of-four has surpassed her prognosis and quarterly MRI scans show her results remain stable.

Verity, from Immingham, in northern Lincolnshire, said: “I was really confused and scared. I went into hospital in my pyjamas with nothing with me and was suddenly surrounded by doctors and nurses asking questions I could barely process.