Karen Tait, a 57-year-old former office manager from Fakenham, Norfolk, never imagined that the persistent fatigue, blurred vision, and strange sensitivity to light and noise she was experiencing could signal a life-changing condition.
For two years, Karen’s life was confined to her bed, dismissed by doctors as symptoms of depression, menopause, or fibromyalgia—until a shocking discovery revealed the true cause: a brain tumour.
The Start of a Long Ordeal
Karen first noticed something was wrong in October 2022.
She felt constantly hot, achy, and clammy, accompanied by overwhelming fatigue.
Within weeks, her vision blurred, and looking at bright lights became unbearable.
Everyday sounds and smells suddenly became intense, and her legs ached so much that she eventually became completely bedbound.
“One day, I went to bed, and I didn’t get out again for two years,” Karen recalls.
“I also had what I describe as concrete neck—I felt I couldn’t lift my head—and I suffered from insomnia.”
Life Turned Upside Down
During this period, Karen required round-the-clock care from her husband, Neil, 58, and weekend support from her daughter, Elle, 30. “Our lives changed overnight,” she says.
“If I needed to go to the bathroom, my husband would have to carry me.
He became my carer.” Despite countless visits to her GP, Karen says she was repeatedly told that her symptoms were all in her head.
A Shocking Discovery
In November 2024, Karen was too ill to attend a routine MRI scan for a previous diagnosis of vaginal cancer.
Her gynaecologist arranged for her to undergo a sedation MRI instead.
The results were shocking: Karen had a large mass in her brain, identified as a meningioma, a usually non-cancerous type of tumour.
Surgery and Recovery
In February 2025, Karen underwent a craniotomy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge to remove most of the tumour.
The surgery was successful, and the biopsy confirmed it was benign. “There was a huge sense of relief,” she says.
“I woke up able to see the hospital lights and knew this was the beginning of my recovery. Two weeks later, I could walk on my own.”
Emotional and Family Impact
Karen describes the experience as emotionally exhausting for her and her family.
“There was a mix of anger, relief, and fear,” she explains.
“Being told my GP thought it was all in my head was infuriating, but knowing the tumour was benign brought immense relief.
The impact on my loved ones has been devastating—they’ve suffered so much because of it.”
Raising Awareness and Supporting Research
Now, Karen requires annual check-ups to monitor any regrowth.
She is also supporting The Brain Tumour Charity, which has invested in research to better understand meningiomas, a type of tumour historically under-researched.
More than 4,500 people are diagnosed with malignant brain tumours each year in the UK, and while survival rates for meningiomas are high, experts stress the need for better understanding of treatment responses.
Dr Simon Newman, chief scientific officer at the charity, said: “We need to know more about how these tumours interact with the immune system so that every patient can receive treatment suited to their needs.”
When Fibromyalgia and Misdiagnosis Add to the Challenge
Karen’s story highlights a broader issue faced by many. Fibromyalgia, a syndrome rather than a single disease, is often dismissed because it doesn’t show up on tests.
Sufferers experience fatigue, widespread pain, sleep disturbances, and “fibro fog,” alongside headaches and digestive issues.
Dr Max Pemberton explains that patients frequently feel disbelieved or told their symptoms are “all in their head,” leaving them in a distressing cycle of uncertainty and misdiagnosis.
Hope for the Future
Karen’s journey from bedbound despair to recovery serves as a powerful reminder that persistent symptoms should never be ignored.
Her advocacy and support for brain tumour research are helping to shed light on conditions that are too often overlooked, offering hope for future patients navigating similar battles.