Lisa Wootten, 37, from Essex, was diagnosed just two weeks after giving birth to her son Noah
A first-time mum whose tingling sensations were believed to be a kidney infection was told she had a brain tumour just a fortnight after welcoming her baby. Lisa Wootten, 37, welcomed her son, Noah, in September 2024 following a seizure at 38 weeks which resulted in an emergency C-section.
This followed nearly two years of unexplained seizures that were continually put down to nerve issues and other factors. Just a fortnight later, Lisa was told she had a 5cm meningioma.
Lisa, from Tiptree, Essex, spent the initial three months of her son’s life going back and forth to hospital. Following an operation in December 2024 to remove the majority of her tumour, Lisa couldn’t be left alone with Noah until June.
This was because of epilepsy caused by the pressure the tumour placed on her brain, which she now controls with daily medication. As a consequence, Lisa said she experienced a delay in forming a bond with her son.
Single mum Lisa, who works in IT, said: “I’d always dreamt of becoming a mum, but it wasn’t until January this year that I finally felt like one. Spending months of my maternity leave apart from my newborn was devastating and really delayed how I bonded with Noah. Even though I have been left with mental and physical impacts, I’m grateful every day that my little, beautiful boy is safe and healthy.”
Lisa made the brave decision to have a baby on her own through IVF when her marriage ended in 2021. Initially, doctors believed the ‘tingling sensations’ Lisa reported in January 2023 were related to a kidney infection and nerve issues.
However, as her symptoms escalated to leg weakness, headaches and blurred vision that summer, she was referred to neurology. But a major seizure towards the end of her pregnancy took precedence. Even after giving birth to Noah, medics suspected her seizures were due to eclampsia.
Lisa said: “Like clockwork my seizures happened around the same time every month and for one-to-two minutes my body shook. I was always fully conscious and aware what was happening and they became a part of my life.”
Now, Lisa is on a mission to raise funds and awareness for brain tumours to aid others.
She said: “When I was reading online about brain tumours, I felt compelled to do something to help talk about the disease. I’m baffled how research into brain tumours receives so little of the national spend on cancer research.”
In September, to commemorate the first anniversary of her diagnosis, Lisa participated in Brain Tumour Research’s Walk of Hope and has more fundraising events in the pipeline.
“For me, taking part in these challenges is a way of doing something to highlight the indiscriminate nature of brain tumours. No one should have to go through what I have had to go through.
“However, there are so many stories like mine and I’m classed as one of the lucky ones. In sharing my own experience, my hope is to not only raise vital funds, but to spread awareness of brain tumours and encourage people they have the power to be part of the change.”
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age.”
To contribute to Brain Tumour Research through Lisa’s fundraising efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/page/lisa-wootten-36