A mum who started suffering debilitating headaches was told it was down to anxiety, until her periods suddenlyy stopped in her 30s. Jodie Boulton, from Caerphilly, went “back and forth” to her doctor’s surgery; and each time, her symptoms were diagnosed as a sign of anxiety.

When her periods stopped completely that alarm bells went off, and an MRI scan found a mass the “size of a satsuma” on her brain – with doctors saying it could have been there for 20 years.

Jodie, 38, said: “I felt angry and relieved at the same time. Angry that I suffered for [so long] without answers, but relieved that I finally knew the cause and hoped something could be done. For years I had questioned myself and then to discover there was a tumour the size of a satsuma sitting there was shocking. It’s hard not to think about how different things might have been if it had been picked up sooner.”

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Jodie, whose battle began in 2020, was eventually referred for a scan by an endocrinologist in March 2025. Due to where the mass was, it was affecting her hormones.

Jodie was told she could wait to see if the tumour grew and her symptoms worsened, but by then she was having problems with her balance, and double vision had begun.

In June 2025, the 12-hour surgery was complete, removing 85% of the tumour. The remaining 15% was left as it was wrapped around her optic nerve. It was later confirmed to be a low-grade meningioma – the most common form of brain tumour.

Jodie said: “Ten days after my surgery, my wound started oozing. I went to my GP and was told it looked fine and dressed it with a wet dressing. But I knew something wasn’t right.

“I raised my concerns during a follow-up call. The consultant lifted the dressing and was horrified; there were clear signs of infection.”

Part of Jodie’s skull needed to be removed as infection had spread into her bone. She spent the next two weeks in hospital on strong antibiotics and is awaiting a titanium plate to reconstruct her skull, which she hopes will be carried out this month after two delays.

In the meantime, the mum must wear a hard hat everywhere she goes. She said: “It’s been incredibly difficult with a six-year-old. I have to be careful about trips and falls and I rarely go out because of anxiety.

“I can’t work because of the health and safety risks. I feel like I’ve lost my independence. And I’m angry that if the wound had been treated properly, my life might already be back to normal.”

Jodie, who tested herself for tumours at work weekly as an optical advisor and found nothing, is sharing her story in a bid to raise awareness of the disease. She completed 10,000 steps-a-day in February in aid of charity Brain Tumour Research, raising £550.

The mum added: “Talking to others who understand really helps. Don’t keep it to yourself – share with family and friends. My symptoms have now gone and I feel like I did 10 years ago.

“I still have one more surgery to go, but my story is one of hope and survival. Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they don’t care about your age or gender. I encourage everyone to get involved in taking on a challenge or making a donation to help fund the research that could change the story for brain tumour patients.”

Dr Karen Noble, Director of Research Policy and Innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: “It is unacceptable that there have been no brain tumour clinical trials in Wales in five years. Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer death in children and young people, yet patients here are being locked out of innovation.

“Our manifesto for Wales is a clear, evidence-based roadmap to change that. By expanding access to clinical trials, embedding whole genome sequencing into standard care, and committing to targeted research funding, the Senedd – regardless of who is in power come May - has the power to transform survival and give patients real hope.

“The time to do things differently is now.”