Mom’s stiff arm turned out to be down to a brain tumor

By Ben Barry

A mum was diagnosed with a brain tumor after waking up in the middle of the night with a stiff arm - despite having no prior symptoms.

Annabelle Holloway, 61, woke up with a pain in her left arm.

She then remembers lying down on the floor and calling for her husband Richard, 63, and when she came around, she felt "very unsettled" and realized she'd had a fit.

The GP was taken to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, Devon, where doctors did a blood test and an MRI scan.

Thanks to Annabelle's experience as a GP, she already recognized the symptoms as a possible brain tumor.

The test results came back, and doctors told Annabelle she had a benign meningioma - a non-cancerous tumor.

In September 2024, Annabelle had an operation at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, where they were able to remove most of the tumor.

Now, Annabelle will have to undergo yearly check-ups to monitor the tumor and check for regrowth.

Annabelle, a semi-retired GP, from South Moulton, Devon, said: “This whole experience has made my children realize how I am the “queen pin” of the family in so many ways – supporting them and my husband practically, emotionally and financially.

"And it’s made me realize I need to take better care of myself – physically, mentally and emotionally.

“One of my passions is my family. They’ve loved me and they’ve been there for me.

"After the fit, I was very irritable, argumentative, and couldn’t sleep, but they’ve calmed me down, they’ve reassured me.

"I think it just makes you realize how family is so important, love and friends, and everyone pulling together as a team.”

On July 8, 2024, Annabelle woke up at 3:30 am feeling uncomfortable and felt her left arm going stiff.

She said: "We don't know how long I was fitting for. Richard found me under my best.

"He pulled me from under the bed and tried to bring me round.

"I came around, I was very unsettled - I knew I had to go to A&E.

"One of the first thoughts I had was 'I’ve got a brain tumour'."

When the ambulance crew arrived, they drove Annabelle to North Devon District Hospital, where she had bloods taken, and an MRI scan.

A consultant came back with the results and told Annabelle that she had a benign meningioma, which came as a "huge relief" to the family.

Annabelle said: "When the consultant came in and said what they had found, it was a great relief all around.

"He said I had a benign meningioma that needed to come out."

Annabelle's son, Matt, 20, added: "For me, it was the physicality of it - having it in the brain, having this foreign entity in my mum.

"It was difficult to come to terms with. I was scared of losing my mum, not in a physical sense, but in a personality sense."

Annabelle underwent an operation to remove the tumor at Derriford Hospital in September 2024.

Surgeons were able to remove most of the tumor, but Annabelle will have to undergo yearly scans to monitor for any regrowth.

Annabelle said: "They removed virtually all of the tumor, it was very near to a vein going through my head.

"It is a very slow-growing tumor, so if it does grow, it will grow very slowly.

"They will do yearly scans on me for the next few years, and then I will have a scan every other year.

"The post-operation scan looked like it had all gone, which is super reassuring."

Throughout her treatment, Annabelle's son Matt, a press and editorial photography student at Falmouth University, made a film, which explores the challenges his mother faced in the wake of her diagnosis.

Matt said: “I've always been inspired by my mum; she's one of the most caring, passionate, and loving people in my life, and I'm incredibly grateful for her.

"I've long wanted to express this adoration in one of my projects.

"My film allowed me to understand and empathize with Mom, we had this open communication between us through my work.

"It helped me understand how she perceived life."

Cameron Miller, director of external affairs and strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “It’s so important that we see increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumors to ensure anyone affected can get the diagnosis, treatment and support they need at the earliest opportunity.

“The warning signs vary by age group, tumor type and where in the brain a tumor is located. But we would encourage anyone who is worried about a symptom that’s unusual for them, particularly if it is persistent or if they experience a combination of symptoms, to speak to their doctor.

“Anyone concerned can also speak to our Support Team on 0808 800 0004 or find out more about the possible signs and symptoms at bettersafethantumour.com/"

Watch the film here.