Doctors Tell 15-Year-Old Her Seizure Is a ‘One-Off.’ One Year Later, They Admit They ‘Missed’ Something (Exclusive)

**Teenager Shares Journey After Delayed Brain Tumour Diagnosis**

Isabella Fairclough, a 20-year-old from England, is sharing her health journey after facing a long and challenging road to her brain tumour diagnosis. Her first seizure occurred when she was just 15 years old, leading to a series of medical consultations and ultimately, a life-altering discovery.

Following her initial seizure, Isabella was rushed to the hospital where doctors conducted a brain scan. To her dismay, they concluded that it was a “one-off” incident, attributing it to hormonal changes or stress. “They did a brain scan but said that nothing was wrong, and they told me that it’s likely never to happen again,” she recalled. Although she didn’t experience another seizure for several months, they soon began to occur weekly.

During this time, Isabella felt an overwhelming sense that something was indeed wrong, despite her seizures being her only symptom. “It wasn’t something I could really ignore. I kept going back to the doctors,” she stated. Yet, despite multiple visits and further scans, she was repeatedly told there was nothing concerning in her results.

It was a family friend connected to the National Health Service (NHS) who finally intervened on Isabella’s behalf. After reviewing her scans once more, the doctors realised their oversight. “Oh, sorry. We have missed it, but you actually do have a brain tumour,” they admitted, according to Isabella. The initial failure to identify her condition had been attributed to rushed examinations and miscommunication.

By March 2021, at the age of 16, Isabella was diagnosed with a benign ganglioglioma, a rare and slow-growing tumour located on the right side of her brain. The diagnosis followed a lengthy period of regular seizures, during which no treatment could be offered due to the absence of an identifiable cause. “Once they found the benign brain tumour, I was put on epilepsy medication straight away, and from then on, the seizures lessened in severity and frequency,” she explained.

Isabella had her surgery in July 2021 to remove the tumour. Although the operation was successful, she woke to discover that she had lost feeling in her left leg. “I struggled a lot with walking. I was in a wheelchair for a week or two after the surgery,” she recalled. Through physical therapy, she gradually regained some sensation, though it remained limited.

In the months following her surgery, regular check-ups and brain scans were necessary to ensure the tumour had been completely removed. Thankfully, a year and a half later, Isabella was able to stop her medication and has not experienced any seizures since.

Inspired by her experiences, Isabella began sharing her story on TikTok, hoping to connect with others who have faced similar health challenges. “At the time, I couldn’t see the funny side of it at all. I was always so anxious and upset about it all,” she admitted. However, therapy and medication for anxiety helped her process her journey. “When I went to college, I met people who had been through similar experiences and found community through others’ stories,” she added.

Isabella’s TikTok videos have garnered a positive response, allowing her to connect with individuals who have shared their own experiences with seizure disorders and brain tumours. “A lot of people reached out, saying they’ve been through similar things,” she shared. “It surprised me how many people there were who could understand what I’ve been through.”

Despite the four years that have passed since her surgery, Isabella acknowledges that her life is still affected by her condition. “There are still things that I struggle with now,” she said. Her candid discussions with friends and families, particularly those who are navigating their own connections to epilepsy, highlight the need for greater awareness and understanding surrounding seizures.

Isabella also took the opportunity to educate those around her on how to assist someone during a seizure. “One of the most important things to do is to put someone in recovery position so they’re on their side,” she advised. This practice helps prevent choking and supports breathing. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of protecting the head during convulsions to mitigate the risk of injury.

She hopes her advocacy will shed light on the physical and emotional toll that seizures can take. “If you have a seizure, you will be out for the rest of the day, no energy. It’s exhausting,” she explained. Isabella encourages anyone who witnesses someone experiencing these episodes to be mindful and patient, as recovery is not instantaneous.

Through her journey, Fairclough continues to raise awareness around the experiences of those affected by seizures and brain tumours, offering support to a community of individuals who often feel isolated. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence in seeking medical help and the value of sharing personal narratives for collective healing and understanding.