‘I went for a routine eye test and ended up needing a lifesaving operation’
When Caroline Wrixon booked an appointment with her optician she had no idea it would lead to lifesaving surgery.
The 40-year-old project manager says she owes her life to the ‘brilliant’ team at St George’s after her eye test led to a brain tumour diagnosis.
She said: “I’m so grateful to St George’s as they saved my life by acting so quickly.
“The whole team have been brilliant.”
In 2021, St George’s was made a brain tumour centre of excellence following rigorous expert-led assessments of the services it provides.
The service was measured against a range of criteria, including clinical practice and training opportunities; emphasis on patient quality of life; providing clinical trials and offering a high standard of research opportunities.
The service is jointly run with colleagues at the Royal Marsden and Royal Surrey County Hospital and is one of nine hospitals across the UK to receive the recognition.
Caroline’s journey began when she booked a routine eye test at Boots days before Christmas 2020 thinking she needed a new prescription.
However, during her appointment Caroline said she sensed there might be a problem.
She said: “I knew something was wrong by the way the optician was going through my eye test.
“In the last part of my test he showed me a house on the screen and asked if the path was straight and it was but when he covered one eye the path became winding.
Caroline had a CT scan which revealed she had a Grade 2 atypical meningioma tumour
“I later found out this because he could see an optic eye was swollen as the tumour was pressing on it and distorting what I could see.”
Caroline had a CT scan on New Year’s Eve which revealed she had a Grade 2 atypical meningioma tumour.
This type of tumour can grow fast and become cancerous.
Caroline has shared her personal story following Brain Tumour Awareness Month which ended at the beginning of April.
Launched in 2004 by a group of charities, it raises awareness and funds in the hope of getting a step closer for a cure for all types of brain tumours.
Caroline’s journey began when she booked a routine eye test
Approximately 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK every year and there are estimated to be more than 60,000 people living with a brain tumour.
Caroline continued: “I was overwhelmed by the news because I had no symptoms.
“I didn’t have headaches just a slight visual impairment which I thought was because I needed a new pair of glasses.”
Caroline was booked in for her lifesaving operation at St George’s on 18 January 2021.
She said: “This all happened during the second Covid lockdown and the last place anyone wanted to go was to a hospital.
“I had to isolate for 10 days and it was hard for my family as they were unable to see me in person before my surgery.
“I went in on a Sunday afternoon and had the surgery several hours later.”
Caroline was discharged from St George’s four days later
Caroline was discharged from St George’s four days later and went on to have a course of radiotherapy.
She is now under the care of Royal Marsden Hospital where she will have regular checks until she is given the all clear.
“Everyone at St George’s was absolutely brilliant,” Caroline said.
“My clinical nurse was fantastic and in fact everyone I have met along this journey from my optician to my surgeon have been good.
“It makes you realise how incredible the NHS is and it is the reason I am alive.”
Kate Slemeck, Managing Director at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: “I am delighted our expert and dedicated team saved Caroline’s life.
“We are immensely proud to be a brain tumour centre of excellence and it’s thanks to the hard work of our experienced teams who provide outstanding care to all our patients.”
There are seven common symptoms of a possible brain tumour which includes headaches and vision problems.
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