Kim Wilson, 37,struggled to speak properly and felt disorientated
Kim Wilson, 37, was unable to speak properly and was disorientated when she crashed her car six years ago – but assumed she’d had a panic attack
A woman who thought she was battling panic attacks and anxiety has discovered she has an incurable brain tumour. Kim Wilson, 37, struggled to speak properly and felt disorientated when she crashed her car six years ago – but assumed she’d suffered a panic attack.
Over the following three years, she endured memory lapses, speech difficulties, and anxiety-like episodes, all of which were wrongly attributed to mental health issues. However, when Kim collapsed during a work call she was rushed to West Cumberland Hospital where she was told she had suffered two tonic-clonic seizures.
An MRI scan at Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle confirmed she had a brain tumour and Kim underwent eight hours of emergency brain surgery to remove as much of the growth as possible.
She was subsequently told the tumour was a grade 3 astrocytoma – an aggressive and incurable brain tumour.
In August 2022, Kim collapsed whilst on a work video call
Kim, who was raised in the Wakefield and Leeds area of Yorkshire, said: “I became anxious about simple things like leaving the house or running errands.
“I thought I was just having panic attacks and put it down to COVID stress. My GP agreed it was anxiety and prescribed medication.
“There were other strange moments too. Once, I was found rambling and confused in the car. Another time, I had an episode during a walk in the forest.
“We were convinced it couldn’t be a panic attack because there was nothing to panic about. Looking back, these were all seizures. But I genuinely believed it was just anxiety at the time.”
Kim had initially noticed symptoms back in 2019.
She explained: “When I crashed my car in 2019, I didn’t feel quite right beforehand, but I’d gotten used to feeling low, so I ignored it.
“I remember trying to speak to my friend, but the words just came out jumbled.”
In August 2022, Kim collapsed whilst on a work video call.
She had suffered a tonic-clonic seizure and was rushed to West Cumberland Hospital, where she endured a second seizure whilst waiting for test results.
A CT scan indicated the potential presence of a brain tumour, and she was fast-tracked for an MRI before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle
A CT scan indicated the potential presence of a brain tumour, and she was fast-tracked for an MRI before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Doctors carried out emergency brain surgery and several weeks later Kim received the devastating diagnosis.
She said: “That night after hearing the diagnosis, I lay in bed and cried into my pillow. It was the only time I allowed myself to properly break down. I sobbed quietly, not wanting anyone to hear.
“My mind was racing. All I could think was that I was going to die. I remember watching a film and thinking that every single character could outlive me.
“But I didn’t stay in that place for long. I messaged a close friend, and she reminded me that I didn’t have to face it alone. The next morning, I told my dad.
“Saying it out loud helped take away some of the fear. From that point on, I chose to be open, honest, and positive”.
Kim started radiotherapy shortly after the operation, followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Despite the punishing treatment regime, she suffered relatively few side effects and finished her therapy in October 2023.
She now undergoes MRI scans every six months, with the latest results due shortly.
This month, Kim launched the “100 Squats a Day in August challenge” to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research – the only national charity dedicated to finding a cure for all brain tumours.
Now, more than 116 people – including friends, family, former classmates, and even strangers – are taking part from across the UK and as far away as Australia.
The eldest participant is 92 year old Sadie Nuttall from Edinburgh, whilst the youngest are seven year old twins Alfie and Freddie Slade from Battle in East Sussex.
Each participant has been challenged to raise £25, and together they have already collected more than £4,000 in just two weeks.
Doctors carried out emergency brain surgery and several weeks later Kim received the devastating diagnosis
Kim said: “I think Brain Tumour Research is a charity that’s genuinely going to make a difference.
“People don’t realise how common brain tumours are until it affects someone they know. When I was a teenager, around 13 or 14, I was in a band and the guitarist was diagnosed with the same type of tumour I have now.
“Back then, I didn’t understand how serious it was or how many people are impacted by this disease.
“That’s why I want to raise as much money as I can – to support the research, help push it further, and give people more treatment options
“I’ve read about cases where brain cancer has been treated without surgery. Even if it can’t be cured, anything that helps people live longer and with less fear is worth fighting for.
“I want people to feel they can live with cancer, not just survive it.
“I can’t cure my own tumour, but I can help fund vital research that might lead to a cure for someone else in the future.”
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Kim’s story is a powerful example of how easily brain tumour symptoms can be mistaken for something else.
“Her resilience and determination to turn a frightening diagnosis into action is deeply inspiring. We’re incredibly grateful for her support and advocacy.” A JustGiving page has been sent up.