Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show

On the 21st of March at 7:30am, Jane received a text message that would change her life forever.

What started as a GP appointment about perimenopause symptoms turned into a devastating conversation about brain tumours. Initially told she had two tumours and possible multifocal glioma, Jane left the surgery in shock, holding her husband tightly as the world around her carried on as normal.

Further scans revealed one tumour — a glioma located deep in her thalamus, an area of the brain considered inoperable. Surgery was not an option. A biopsy carried significant risks. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were discussed. And suddenly, Jane found herself in the unfamiliar and emotionally exhausting world of “watch and wait.”

In this deeply honest interview, Jane shares:

• The trauma of diagnosis

• Being told surgery isn’t possible

• The fear surrounding biopsy and treatment risks

• Living with three-monthly scans and “scanxiety”

• Telling her 10-year-old daughter

• The vital support of The Brain Tumour Charity and Brain Tumour Support

• Turning her one-year diagnosis anniversary into a powerful charity concert - Find Jane on Instagram @memybraintumourandi

This episode is raw, brave and full of humanity. It’s about fear — but it’s also about love, resilience, advocacy, and finding light in the darkest moments.

Jane’s story reminds us that sometimes strength looks like simply getting up each day and choosing hope.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it. The more voices we amplify, the more awareness we create.

⚠️ Content note: This episode discusses brain tumour diagnosis and treatment decisions.

In this deeply personal episode, Julia opens up about her father’s diagnosis with astrocytoma, a type of brain tumour, and how it reshaped her family and her understanding of invisible disabilities.

Julia shares the emotional rollercoaster of discovering her dad’s condition—initially hidden until chemotherapy made it undeniable. She reflects on how the diagnosis affected their family dynamics, especially communication and emotional expression. Julia also explores how her relationship with both her parents evolved, the impact of her father's permanent brain damage, and her journey through counseling and journaling to process grief and uncertainty.

This conversation sheds light on the importance of empathy, creating safe emotional spaces, and the need for greater awareness around the often unseen struggles people with brain tumours face.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• Coping with a parent’s cancer diagnosis

• The silence and stigma surrounding illness in families

• The power of journaling and therapy in emotional healing

• How invisible disabilities affect daily life and relationships

• The emotional burden of caregiving and overprotection

🧠 Key Takeaway:
Every family copes differently, but open communication, emotional support, and awareness of invisible disabilities can change everything.

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

In this powerful episode, Victoria shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour in June 2017. What began as a few "funny five minutes" quickly escalated into a life-alteringdiagnosis. She opens up about the emotional and physical challenges she faced, including a moment when she couldn't recall her own daughter's name.

Through resilience, the support of her loved ones, and her discovery of mindfulness and hypnotherapy, Victoria found a path to healing. Now a certified hypnotist, she uses her experience to help others find calm and clarity, teaching techniques like breathwork and guided relaxation. This episode is a heartfelt testament to the strength of the human spirit, the power of community, and the transformative nature of self-care.
🌐Victoria's site: https://naturallycalmtherapy.co.uk/brainset/

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

Sarah’s life changed in an instant when she experienced a grand mal seizure. The cause? An oligodendroglioma grade two brain tumour. Facing the unknown, she underwent awake brain surgery, remaining calm in a situation that would shake most.

Post-surgery, she found healing through positivity, spirituality, and self-education, even watching brain surgeries to understand her journey. A quote that resonated with her:
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." – Wayne Dyer

Hear Sarah’s incredible story of strength and perspective in the latest episode of Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show Podcast!

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

In this episode, Michelle shares her journey with oligodendroglioma grade 2, a brain tumour she was diagnosed with in 2010 following a grand mal seizure. Despite the challenges, she gave birth to a healthy daughter and found strength in her community. Michelle opens up about her experiences with surgery, radiation, and the lasting effects of an acquired brain injury. She discusses the importance of support networks, the anxiety of MRI results, and her advocacy for increased funding for brain cancer support services. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community.DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

In this episode of Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show Podcast, Madi shares her powerful journey with an oligodendroglioma grade two brain tumour. Her story begins with unexpected seizures that led to a life-changing MRI. Initially told her tumour was slow-growing and not a major concern, Madi's move to a new province meant navigating a complex healthcare system and seeking new specialists.

She opens up about the challenges of getting clear answers, the difficult decision to undergo a biopsy, and the unexpected complications that followed—including issues with her vision. Through research, support groups, and personal resilience, Madi found strength in understanding her diagnosis and redefining her future.

Her journey is a reminder that a diagnosis isn’t an expiration date—it’s a new path to navigate.

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

In this episode, Christine shares her journey with angiomatous microcystic meningioma, a diagnosis that profoundly impacted her daily life. She opens up about the significant symptoms she faced, the emotional toll of waiting for surgery, and the relief of finally receiving treatment. Christine describes how surgery brought noticeable improvements but also introduced unexpected complications during recovery.

Despite the challenges of pain management and emotional fluctuations, she found strength in the support of her family and friends. Christine reflects on her experience, emphasizing that brain surgery was less daunting than she had feared. With no further treatment required, she expresses gratitude for skilled medical care and the importance of clear communication throughout the process.

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

In this powerful episode, Imogen shares her journey of love, loss, and resilience after her husband, Wayne, passed away from glioblastoma in May 2024.

Together since their teens, Imogen and Wayne built a life filled with music, family, and dreams for the future. But in early 2022, their world changed when Wayne began experiencing unexplained symptoms. What followed was a heartbreaking battle with brain cancer—marked by treatments, clinical trials, and unwavering hope.

Through it all, Wayne remained the incredible husband and father he always was, facing his diagnosis with strength and love. His story is a reminder of the urgent need for brain tumour awareness and research.

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

At just 20, Steph Still’s life changed forever. Unusual symptoms led to a devastating diagnosis— Ependymoma. Surgery was her only option, followed byRadiotherapy, but it came with a heavy price. She had to relearn how to move, how to speak… how to live. The battle didn’t end in the operating room. With a paralyzed vocal fold and a long road to recovery, Steph faced unimaginable challenges. But she wasn’t alone. Hermother—a former ICU Senior Sister—stood by her side. Community support and exercise became her lifeline, proving that movement is healing.

Determined not to let cancer define her, Steph went back to studying and is now a Cancer Rehab Specialist and fitness instructor helping others find strength in their own recovery. She knows firsthand the importance of mental well-being, communication, and the right support.

DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

Claire Harris shares her emotional journey on the podcast, recalling the terrifying moment her son Jake was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just four years old. Initially misdiagnosed, it was a persistent health visitor who helped fast-track the MRI that changed everything. From major brain surgery to a surprisingly quick recovery, Claire reflects on the resilience of children, the overwhelming fear as a parent, and how she became overprotective in the years that followed. She also highlights the crucial need for awareness—educating parents and doctors about early symptoms can save lives.

Her message?

Stay informed, stay hopeful, and trust your instincts.

💙🎧 Listen now! #BrainTumourAwareness #ChildhoodIllness #Parenting #Podcast
DISCLAIMERAny of the sites under Claire Bullimore or Aunty M Brain Tumours is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Aunty M Brain Tumours is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.