My mum was told 'pressure' was an ear infection - it wasn't
Cate Jackson, 60, was initially told her headaches, fatigue and trouble balancing were due to an ear infection called labyrinthitis - but it was something far more sinister
Former professional swimmer Cate Jackson's balance issues were initially dismissed as labyrinthitis, an ear infection, after she experienced headaches and fatigue. When antibiotics failed to make a difference, a revealing MRI scan in March 2023 diagnosed a meningioma brain tumour.
The 60-year-old retired athlete underwent surgery to remove the tumour, followed by radiotherapy treatments. She continues to undergo regular scans to monitor her condition.
Inspired by her mother's struggle, Cate's daughter Isobel Manna, a 26-year-old mental health support worker, ran 83.7km to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.
Isobel, from Welwyn, Hertfordshire, shared her concern: "Mum became drained of energy and said how it felt like she needed someone to drill into the side of her head to alleviate the pressure she felt. I studied the brain during my psychology degree at university and thought something more sinister could be to blame. Despite mum not wanting to make a fuss, I encouraged her to go back to the GP and my fears were realised."
Cate, who competed internationally for Great Britain from 1981 to 1985 and currently represents Barnet Copthall Masters swimming team, first began noticing symptoms three years ago. It wasn't until the recent scan that her brain tumour was identified.
Today, thanks to her treatment, Cate leads a normal life, albeit under careful medical watch.
Isobel has lauded her mum's resilience in coping with cognitive issues after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, adding: "Mum has some trouble with her cognitive processing, but is living life as normal. Mum's brain tumour could be treated, but I know for some people this isn't the case. Brain Tumour Research is a cause I want to support so that more potential life-saving research can be carried out to keep families together."
After surpassing her £1,000 fundraising target for Brain Tumour Research, Isobel tackled the challenging terrain of the Jurassic Coast on May 17, 2025, and although not completing the planned 100km, she said: "It was fantastic, but very different to running in the streets. I had planned to do the 100km distance, but had to withdraw before as I lost body heat and couldn't warm up and would've been too dangerous to continue. I'm so proud of myself for how far I ran, especially with the steep hills and drop."
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Isobel for sharing her mum's story and for taking on such a strenuous trekking challenge."
He emphasised the indiscriminate nature of brain tumours, acknowledging their impact and appreciating Isobel's role in raising awareness and support for those affected by declaring, "Cate's story is a stark reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age and around 12,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year. We're grateful to Isobel for helping us shine a light on this devastating disease and supporting the brain tumour community."
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The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Brilliant dad', 51, dies just 10 DAYS after ‘first symptom' of killer tumour – having put early signs down to ‘age'
A "FIT and healthy" dad died just six days after being diagnosed with a killer tumour. Glenn Colmer had started suffering from symptoms a year earlier, but thought they were just to do with his age. 4 But on February 18 this year, the 51-year-old suffered a sudden seizure at his home in Southampton. He was rushed to hospital where a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain - and just days later, on February 22, he was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma - a type of brain tumour characterised by rapid growth and spread. The "much-loved" sports teacher, who his devastated wife Ali described as "strong, active, and the healthiest man [she] knew", tragically died on February 28. Now, Glenn's family are sharing his story to spread awareness of the "indiscriminate" cancer - and raise money for Brain Tumour Research. Ali said: "You never think it's going to happen to your family. Glenn was the healthiest man I knew: strong and active, full of life and laughter. "He was a brilliant husband, an incredible dad, and he had this amazing way of making people feel better just by being around them. "We always joked that he was invincible. "But brain tumours don't care how healthy, kind, or loved you are. They're cruel and indiscriminate. "And in the space of ten unthinkable days, we went from thinking Glenn had had a seizure, to holding his hand as he slipped away from us. "I want to share his story and raise awareness, because this shouldn't happen to anyone." Boy, 8, dies within hours of complaining of a headache when normally harmless flu infection spread to his brain In the year leading up to his death, Glenn had been suffering with fatigue, headaches, and dizziness and so visited his GP. Doctors however merely prescribed him with medication and glasses, which alleviated the pain, and so he thought his symptoms were just to do with his age. Things continued as normal until February 18, when Glenn, who had just woken up, froze while putting on his dressing gown. He was silent, and his left arm was locked in place - as he stared blankly ahead. His wife Ali said: "I asked if he was okay. He replied: 'No, I'm not.' Moments later, Glenn collapsed and began violently shaking, gasping for air. "I called an ambulance, staying calm for his sake, whispering words of reassurance until help arrived. His eyes were vacant. The trauma was immediate and life-altering Glenn Colmer "The paramedics were quick to respond. Although the seizure had passed, Glenn was in visible pain, particularly in his arm which had locked during the seizure. "His eyes were vacant. The trauma was immediate and life-altering." Glenn, who worked as the Director of Curriculum for Sports and Protective Services at Itchen Sixth Form College, was taken to hospital where he was told he had a mass on his brain. Four days later, he, Ali, and their two children Grace, 19, and Joe, 16, were told the mass was a high-grade glioma brain tumour - in a moment which changed their lives forever. Ali said: "It was horrendous. My world fell apart. "The doctor tried to explain the scan; Glenn didn't want to look. He couldn't. He wasn't ready. "His expression, once so full of life, humour, and warmth, was robbed from him, replaced with silence and vacancy. "His right side remained weak, and the vibrant man who once did every sport imaginable now needed help with the most basic tasks." Glenn was discharged from hospital but the pain worsened as he returned home. "For Glenn, a man who had been so fit and healthy, it was unbearable," Ali said. "He refused visitors. He didn't want people to see him this way." Quick decline By February 25, Glenn's pain was excruciating and another ambulance was called. A new MRI confirmed another bleed on Glenn's brain and he became fully paralysed on his right side. Over the next few days, Glenn declined further. He was vomiting, became unable to speak, and lost the ability to swallow. However, he continued to communicate with his family. Ali said: "He kept reaching for my engagement ring and the children's hands, squeezing tightly as if to say 'goodbye'. "He placed my hand on his heart, as if to say 'thank you'. Though no one had said it yet, I could see that Glenn was dying." He placed my hand on his heart, as if to say 'thank you'. Though no one had said it yet, I could see that Glenn was dying Glenn Colmer Glenn was moved to the ICU and placed on a ventilator, and his mum and brother joined Ali, Grace, and Joe at the hospital. Ali said: "Even as his body began to shut down and he was unable to speak, Glenn remained present. He kept reaching out, holding hands, squeezing gently." A neurosurgeon later confirmed the worst: that Glenn had suffered another catastrophic brain bleed and there was no hope of recovery. Ali was then forced to make the devastating decision to remove Glenn's life support - and he died surrounded by family. Glenn spent two decades at Itchen College - during which time he dedicated himself to nurturing young sports stars. Among those he mentored were former Southampton FC defender Aaron Martin, Olympic marathon runner Mahamed Mahamed, boxing champion Ryan Garner, and NBA basketball star Jeremy Sochan. Ali said: "Glenn was more than his diagnosis. He was a mentor, a joker, a passionate teacher and friend. "His funeral was a testament to the life he lived, over 500 people attended, including former students and colleagues from as far as the USA. "He touched lives across the world. He made people feel seen, valued, and inspired." Glenn's fundraiser 4 4 To commemorate his life and raise money for Brain Tumour Research, Glenn's family, friends, and colleagues have organised a charity golf day on August 1 at Southampton Municipal Golf Course - Glenn's favourite. Glenn's son Joe will tee off the event, and a memorial bench is planned for the 18th hole. So far, more than £3,000 has been raised in Glenn's honour. Katrina Jones, head of Community and Digital Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: "We are deeply grateful to Glenn's family and friends for bravely sharing his story. "Glenn's sudden and devastating diagnosis highlights the cruel reality of brain tumours: they can strike anyone, at any time, regardless of health or lifestyle. "His legacy as a much-loved teacher and mentor lives on in the lives he touched, and now in the vital awareness and funds being raised in his name. "We desperately need more investment in research to improve outcomes and offer hope to families like Glenn's." Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer - and more men under 75 than prostate cancer. Yet, just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to brain tumours. To donate to Glenn's fundraiser, visit his GoFundMe page. The most common symptoms of a brain tumour More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives. The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis. There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment. Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return. Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS. They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision. The nine most common symptoms are: Headaches Seizures Feeling sick Being sick Memory problems Change in personality Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body Vision problems Speech problems If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP. Source: NHS
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Man thought he was 'tired from work' before brain tumour diagnosis
A man who initially attributed his "soul-destroying" fatigue and memory loss to being overworked is now trying to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms. In 2019, Liam Harvey, from Bristol, was diagnosed with cystic craniopharyngioma - a benign brain tumour - following sudden blackouts and extreme exhaustion. The 26-year-old underwent three brain surgeries, eight weeks of radiotherapy treatment and the insertion of a permanent brain drain to combat swelling. Now in recovery, Mr Harvey walked 124 miles (200km) in May to raise awareness of symptoms and gather vital funds for cancer charity Brain Tumour Research. The maintenance worker was used to 80-hour weeks, but one day something said he began blacking out without warning, falling asleep mid-conversation, forgetting entire days and "projectile vomiting"."I went to the doctor twice and was told it was poor diet and working long hours, so I didn't think too much of it," he said. Mr Harvey was initially diagnosed as "underworked and underfed", but after losing 80% of his eyesight, an emergency visit to the optician marked the first step in a life-altering journey. "I couldn't even stay awake through the exam," he recalled. "I woke up hearing the optician telling my mum that I needed to go to the hospital, urgently. "He said there was something behind my eye."A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at Royal United Hospital in Bath revealed Mr Harvey's diagnosis. He then underwent eight hours of surgery to remove the tumour. 'A nightmare' Mr Harvey gained more than eight stone over eight weeks due to steroid medication, and his skin split under the pressure of rapid weight gain. "My skin tore from the stretch marks. The fatigue was soul-destroying," he said. "It was a nightmare that I just wanted to end. I had no idea what was going on, I was in shock." By the end of October 2019, Mr Harvey rang the bell to mark the end of recovery brought new challenges as his hip began deteriorating from the side effects of his received a hip replacement at Southmead Hospital in January 2021 and returned to work in August that Mr Harvey has not only reclaimed his independence but is determined to bring hope to others. Katrina Jones, head of community and digital fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Liam's journey is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for increased investment in brain tumour research. "His resilience and determination to raise awareness and funds inspire us all. "We are deeply grateful for his support and commitment to helping find a cure for this devastating disease."
The Courier
4 days ago
- The Courier
How Abernethy dad learned he had bladder cancer - despite having no symptoms
Two years ago insurance broker Allan Donnachie decided to take up the offer of a free medical check up through his workplace. The then 54-year-old from Abernethy felt perfectly healthy. But he had no idea that his health MOT would lead to him being diagnosed with bladder cancer. 'I was working as an insurance broker for Marsh Commercial in Perth at the time with 27 years service,' he explains. 'Fortunately I was provided with private healthcare through my job so took up the offer of a health check up. 'I had my cholesterol, blood pressure and everything else checked. 'But because I was over 50, the doctor asked me if I wanted to check my prostate. 'To be honest I didn't know what was involved but I said yes anyway. 'He then phoned me the next day to say he was a bit concerned about my prostate. 'And he suggested I should get it checked out as soon as I could.' So Allan, who is now 56, made an appointment at Spire Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh so further investigations could be carried out. But after some scans, tests and an operation, Allan was shocked to discover he had three cancerous tumours on his bladder. Today Allan is sharing his story to mark Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. And he is grateful his bladder cancer was caught in the early stages. After deciding to opt for private health care, Allan made an appointment at Spire Murrayfield Hospital. This was after concerns were raised about his prostate. 'The doctor carried out more checks and asked me to measure everything I drank for the next ten days,' he explains. 'He was concerned about the number of times I was needing to visit the toilet. 'So I did that and went on to have an MRI scan which found a shadow on my prostate. 'Then then did more tests and one of them was a cystoscopy.' A cystoscopy is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra to examine the inside of the bladder and urethra. It's used to diagnose or treat various bladder conditions, including detecting bladder cancer. Allan continues: 'They looked at my prostate first and said it was fine. 'But they said I would need to go in for an operation as they had found something on my bladder. 'Less than two weeks later, in August 2023, I had surgery. 'After the operation I was told the surgeons had found three cancerous tumours on my bladder.' Allan is one of nearly 1700 people who are diagnosed each year in Scotland with bladder cancer. Yet he had no idea he had the disease. And the diagnosis was the last thing he expected to hear. 'I have never been sick in my life,' he says. 'I just thought maybe there was a lump they had seen on the MRI, but I never thought it would be cancerous. 'They were able to confirm it was cancer after the tumours were removed and analysed. 'According to the NHS, one of the main causes of bladder cancer is smoking but I don't smoke and I never have. 'So that's why the diagnosis came as such a shock. 'But at the same time I was pleased it had been caught early.' After the operation Allan was given his first chemotherapy treatment straight away. 'I was given this right after the operation and was told this was the most important chemotherapy treatment,' he explains. 'After the tumours were removed the chemo would start working straight away and prevent any more tumours from forming. 'Once the tumours had been analysed I was told there was a low grade, intermediate risk of the cancer returning. 'So on the back of that I was given six shots of chemotherapy.' After the first round, Allan went on to have the next few chemotherapy sessions at the end of October. And he finished the treatment on December 28, 2023. Allan had his first check up – which included having a cystoscopy – after finishing treatment in February 2024. And the results came back clear. As part of his recovery he took part in a wellness nutrition course at Maggie's Dundee. 'It was good to chat to other people who had had bladder cancer, just knowing that there were other people who had been through the same experience. 'But it made me realise how fortunate I had been. 'There had been other guys at Maggie's with the same cancer as me but they had had their bladders removed. 'It made me glad I had gone for that medical when I did.' Allan continues to have regular check ups and so far, remains clear of cancer. 'I have to have four cystoscopies a year for the first two years. 'This means I will have another in August, then one more in November. From then it will go down to two a year.' Allan, who has two daughters Natalie, 14 and Rosie, 10, is grateful for the support of his family, particularly wife Marie, 50. 'It was my wife who encouraged me to go to Maggie's and sign up for the wellness course. She went to Maggie's with me a couple of times. 'She has been very supportive and really helped to keep me going.' Allan is now looking ahead to the future. 'I am grateful it was picked up early because I could still be sitting here today not knowing I had the disease because I never had any symptoms. 'I might have ended up having my bladder removed or worse.' He adds: 'I feel extremely lucky.'
