Amy Dyer mentioned she did not even trouble going to the physician to start with
A brand new mum was identified with a mind tumour after dismissing her fatigue and complications as ‘child mind’. Amy Dyer, 37, believed her excessive tiredness and low focus have been merely a part of life as a guardian, till a terrifying seizure in her sleep led to a devastating prognosis.
A biopsy later confirmed she had a low-grade astrocytoma and he or she underwent an awake craniotomy in June 2023. The surgical procedure was successful and additional testing revealed the tumour was a extra aggressive grade 3 astrocytoma.
Following the operation, Amy underwent physiotherapy, occupational remedy, radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy. To her aid, in June 2025, she obtained her first clear scan.
Amy, a pc science trainer from Cullompton, Devon, mentioned: “I’d had our little boy and was juggling life as a mum and instructing. I assumed I had what everybody calls ‘child mind’ tiredness, low focus, feeling foggy.
“All of it simply felt like a part of motherhood, particularly after having a child. I didn’t go to the docs as a result of I genuinely thought it was simply postnatal exhaustion, possibly low iron or fatigue. Nothing uncommon.”
However in December 2022, after experiencing “horrible” complications, low focus and finally a seizure in her sleep, Amy was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
“I began having complications, horrible ones that might wake me up in the midst of the evening,” she mentioned. “Wanting again, I realise my focus ranges have been a lot decrease than they need to have been.
“I used to be startled to get up to my sister, Chloe and husband, Will, gazing me in horror, I assumed they have been joking, how might I’ve had a seizure if I used to be asleep?”
On the hospital she suffered a second seizure and a CT scan revealed a space-occupying lesion in her mind. She was prescribed anti-seizure medicine and given an MRI scan.
Amy mentioned: “One minute I used to be in mattress, the subsequent, I used to be in hospital, going through mind scans and large choices. It was dreadful.”
After additional exams, Amy was referred to College Hospital Plymouth for a biopsy and in Could 2023 was identified with a low-grade astrocytoma, a kind of mind tumour. Confronted with the choice to attend and monitor the tumour or have surgical procedure, Amy selected to bear an awake craniotomy in June 2023.
Amy mentioned: “I heard the phrases tumour and my world modified. I did not wish to wait to see if the tumour would develop, so I selected surgical procedure.
“The dangers scared me: seizures, issues, even demise. However I knew I couldn’t depart it and danger it turning into inoperable.”
On June 8, 2023, Amy underwent the process at College Hospital Plymouth. Surgeons initially saved her awake to observe mind perform, asking her to maneuver her left hand, earlier than inserting her underneath basic anaesthetic to finish the operation. The surgical procedure was thought of successful and Amy spent 5 days in hospital.
“Fortunately, I didn’t lose mobility on my left aspect,” she mentioned. “They weren’t in a position to inform me the share of the tumour they eliminated, however I’m glad they felt the operation was successful.”
Additional testing revealed the tumour was a extra aggressive grade 3 astrocytoma. “They despatched it away to be examined and came upon that it was in actual fact a grade 3 astrocytoma,” she mentioned. “Docs requested to maintain a number of the tumour to assist analysis which I agreed.”
Since then, she has undergone physiotherapy, occupational remedy, 33 periods of radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy. Amy now has routine scans each 4 months.
In June 2025, she obtained a transparent scan, three years after her first signs. Amy described this as “nice information”.
She mentioned: “I’ve realized to take life slower. Earlier than, I used to be on a hamster wheel. Now I worth folks, time and reminiscences greater than possessions. I haven’t had a seizure because the first two in 2022 and I obtained a transparent scan for June 2025, which is nice information.”
Amy is now elevating funds for Mind Tumour Analysis by collaborating within the 88 Squats a Day in July Problem to boost cash for a treatment.
Katrina Jones, head of neighborhood fundraising at Mind Tumour Analysis, mentioned: “Amy’s energy and dedication in sharing her story is actually inspiring, by opening up about her expertise, she’s not solely elevating important consciousness of the indicators and signs of mind tumours but additionally serving to to focus on the pressing want for extra funding into analysis. We’re extremely grateful for her help and proud to have her as a part of our fundraising neighborhood.”
