Caoimhe Jennings was on a dream holiday in Thailand with her now-husband Ollie when she began to experience paranoia and vision problems
Steven Smith Content Editor
09:40, 03 Aug 2026
Caoimhe Jennings and her husband, Ollie(Image: Jam Press)
A woman has explained how she believed she was “going mad” while on a dream holiday – before doctors uncovered the true cause. As Caoimhe Jennings gazed out across the stunning beach, she hoped this would be an unforgettable trip. It was – but for entirely the wrong reasons.
The 28 year old had whisked her now-husband, Ollie, off to Thailand to mark his 30th birthday, eager to create memories that would stand the test of time. Yet their time together was about to be cut dramatically short.
The tax specialist experienced numerous signs that her health was deteriorating rapidly, but the symptom that alarmed her most was paranoia.
“I thought I was completely losing my marbles,” Caoimhe, from Derry, told creatorzine.com. “We had been sitting for dinner at the beach when the tide seemed a bit higher than the night before. I was absolutely convinced there was about to be a tsunami, so I made Ollie go back to the hotel with me.
“I also had convinced myself that I was feeling unwell because of methanol poisoning from one sip of an alcoholic drink. I was properly paranoid.
Caoimhe Jennings after surgery(Image: Jam Press)
“On a boat cruise, there were giant lizards along the side of the water. What’s really crazy is that I couldn’t see them – at all – even though they were four feet long and easily visible in all our photos.”
Another incident that left her deeply concerned that something more serious was occurring was when she suddenly forgot how to ride a bike. It all began in January 2025 when Caoimhe experienced a bout of dry eyes.
She received advice to try eye drops for relief, though these proved largely ineffective. While not a heavy drinker, she typically enjoyed a glass or two of wine during evenings.
However, when she awoke feeling violently unwell, unable even to keep water down, serious concerns arose. At that point, she had recently secured a new position, offering the opportunity to relocate back to Ireland following her time in Liverpool.
Her starting date was set just a week before their planned departure to Thailand, leading Caoimhe to attribute her symptoms to anxiety. Regrettably, her condition continued deteriorating to such an extent that her body was clearly failing.
She experienced complete loss of bladder control while stone-cold sober, and awoke one morning to find her face and feet entirely swollen. Caoimhe also developed double vision, prompting a visit to her local optician for an examination. Following the scan, she was urgently directed to attend A&E straight away.
Ollie proposed to Caoimhe before surgery(Image: Jam Press)
She recalled: “The doctor’s face dropped as I told them what was going on. I truly thought it would be nothing.
“Within an hour, I was in surgery for hydrocephalus, where they had to put a drain in my brain to rid of the excess fluid. And then the next morning they told me there was a large brain tumour at the centre of my brain.”
In September 2025, Caoimhe had additional surgery, which entailed creating a hole in the membrane to facilitate natural drainage. Given the tumour’s particularly challenging location, surgical removal wasn’t possible.
The operation carried the risk of death, prompting Ollie to seize the moment and propose. He had intended to pop the question the following weekend but brought his plans forward in case time ran out.
Fortunately, the procedure proved successful – and, despite facing a lengthy recovery, she looked forward to what lay ahead. Tragically, in October, it was confirmed that the tumour had mutated and become terminal.
Caoimhe Jennings’ head CT scan result(Image: Jam Press)
She said: “When I asked what the life expectancy was, they told me it was months, not years. Chemotherapy wouldn’t help at this stage and while radiotherapy wouldn’t shrink the tumour, it could buy me some time.”
Caoimhe spent the weeks before the operation organising her wedding, determined to marry before her time ran out. In January 2026, they became husband and wife.
Now, despite treating each day as though it could be her last, the tumour has shown signs of shrinking, offering a glimmer of hope. Determined not to waste a single moment, Caoimhe has stepped away from her career and is using her pension to make the most of the time she has left.
She added: “I’m trying to stay positive about it all now. I’m in no pain compared to what I was like this time last year.
Caoimhe Jennings before her diagnosis(Image: Jam Press)
“I weirdly see myself as very lucky compared to other people in these situations. I have an amazing husband, a supportive family that isn’t giving up on me and great in-laws who would do absolutely anything for me.
“I know I’m going to die young, but I’m not accepting the months they’ve given me – I’m praying for years. I’m making the most of every day and I’ve recently started baking. I’m either getting good at it or no one wants to upset the girl with cancer.”