Grandma’s short temper, forgetfulness leads to brain tumor diagnosis

By Emma Dunn

A grandma who became short-tempered and forgetful discovered her sudden change in behavior was due to a brain tumor.

Jan Burrell, 62, had been suffering migraines for years but put it down to old age.

But in January 2021, she became "short-tempered and angry and didn't recognize" herself.

On a short walk to the chemist, she lost part of her vision and her speech, and a trip to A&E revealed she'd had a seizure due to a brain tumor the size of a fist.

Jan was diagnosed with meningioma and underwent a craniotomy to remove most of the tumor.

The grandmother now lives with quadrantanopia - a permanent loss of vision - in a quarter of her visual field and has annual scans to monitor the remaining tumor. 

Jan, who previously ran a cleaning and gardening business, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, said: "In 2019, I started to notice I was becoming forgetful.

"Only to remember suddenly that I hadn’t locked up the houses after I cleaned them and turning back to secure them.

"As a person I had always had the attitude of getting on with things and so I pushed this new behavior to the side and didn’t bother telling my husband, Steve.

"There were many things I thought it could be, old age or perhaps the beginning of Alzheimer’s.

"For years, I had suffered with migraines, one time having a meltdown. Although Steve was reassuring, I was sure there must be something wrong with me.

"Years later, in January 2021, I felt that same sense of losing control I had experienced years before. I became short-tempered and angry and didn't recognize myself."

Jan had just moved from Cornwall to Gloucestershire and had "lost confidence" to get out the house.

But a seizure in February 2022 revealed her tumor.

She said: "Steve encouraged me on a walk to the chemist which was 10 minutes away. On the way, I lost part of my vision, half of my world went black. I marched on at a speed that meant Steve struggled to catch up.

"When it was my turn to speak at the counter, there was the sound of only a grunt, no sentence or even words. I couldn't understand why I was there.

"Feeling embarrassed, I went outside. Upset and unsteady on my feet, I was able to say a few words but kept repeating myself.

"I burst into tears through fear of what my body was doing, no longer under my control."

Jan was rushed to A&E at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, thinking she was having a stroke.

She was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol - where a CT scan and further tests revealed she had a brain tumor the size of a fist. 

Jan said: “The doctor sat me down and said the words, ‘you have a brain tumor.’

"All I remember is shouting 'no!' at the top of my voice.

"It never occurred to me that I could have a brain tumor. I was terrified.

"Suddenly, I had a flood of thoughts, my grandchildren, I wouldn't get the chance to see them grow up."

Jan needed surgery to remove her tumor, but feared she wouldn't wake up or that life-changing injuries might stop her from drawing and painting.

She decided to pen a book for her grandson, Finn, four.

On May 12, 2022, Jan underwent a craniotomy at Southmead Hospital and surgeons successfully removed the tumor, which was found to be slow-growing.

She now has annual scans to monitor the remaining tumor.

Jan said: "My recovery was hard.

"I needed strong medication, which caused hallucinations of things from my past.

"I now live with quadrantanopia, which is a loss of vision in one quarter of my visual field and am under the care of an ophthalmologist."

Despite this, Jan is now able to read her book - called Finn's wonderful world - to Finn.

Jan said: "I wrote the entire story slowly, letter by letter, by hand, and I never crossed anything out.

"It flowed straight from my heart to the page. I wanted to leave Finn something deeply personal, a message of wonder and joy, in case I wasn't there to share it with him myself."

It took three years for Jan and her husband, Steve, to save enough to get the book published.

Every copy sold will raise vital funds for Brain Tumor Research, a charity close to their hearts.

Jan said: “This book has given me purpose and focus. Finn was just one when I had my surgery.

"Now he’s four and looks exactly like the boy I drew.

"To see him enjoy the story I created for him, it's the most special gift.

"I poured my heart into it, and to know it’s helping fund vital research means everything to us."

Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumor Research, said: "Jan's story is incredibly moving and a powerful reminder of the resilience and creativity that can come out of adversity.

"By sharing her journey and donating profits from her beautiful book, Jan is helping raise awareness and funding for a disease that remains hugely underfunded.

"We’re so grateful for her support and determination; it’s people like Jan who help us drive change."

To purchase a copy of Finn's wonderful world, where all proceeds go to Brain Tumor Research, visit: JanBurrellArt - Etsy UK