'My brain tumour was mistaken for heat stroke'

A woman who was told by doctors while on holiday she had heat stroke, returned home and discovered she had a brain tumour.

Moli Morgan had two seizures while on holiday in Turkey and despite reassurance it was not serious, after she flew home she decided to get it checked out at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Tests revealed she had a life-threatening tumour and the young farmer from Llanerfyl, in Powys, was transferred to a specialist neurology centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital, where it was decided the mass would be removed by an awake craniotomy.

"It was a massive shock as I had never suffered any symptoms before," said Ms Morgan, who was diagnosed in October 2024.

"Everything seemed to happen quickly from being told it was a tumour and what the plan would be next."

Ms Morgan, whose first language is Welsh, was accompanied by a translator during her surgery in December as it was "vital" she spoke throughout the operation to ensure she did not lose the ability to speak both English and Welsh after the tumour was removed, a spokesperson for the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) said.

Her consultant neurologist, Erminia Albanese, said the interpreter, Ben, asked questions in Welsh and Ms Morgan replied in English.

She did not remember much about the surgery but said Ben had been "amazing" and "kept her talking" to check she had answered correctly.

Dr Albanese described the 22-year-old's recovery as "incredible".

Ms Morgan had since returned to the ward where she was treated at the UHNM and handed over a £345 cheque after she hosted a concert for the hospital trust's charity.

"The care has been amazing and I am so thankful for what everyone did for me."

The 22-year-old added that she was "back to normal" and pleased to support the charity.

The symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected, according to the NHS.

Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, persistently feeling sick, vomiting and drowsiness, mental or behavioural changes - such as memory problems or changes in personality - progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and vision or speech problems.

The NHS advises to see a GP if you have these types of symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get, or if headaches are getting worse.

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