Melissa’s story
My spinal cord tumour journey began in October 2005, aged 25. After about 2 years of problems with hip and backache and falling over because of weak legs, the doctors finally realised something serious may be wrong and I was referred to a neurologist. After numerous tests and an MRI scan, I was told that […]
Clive’s story
Spinal cord tumours can occur in men as well. I had a C1-C5 ependymoma removed in 1995. Since around 1991 I had been experiencing bad neck pain which increasingly failed to respond to analgesics. Unfortunately, this was misdiagnosed as a “trapped nerve”. But after a few years of non-responsiveness to traction, electro-therapy, massages and even […]
Lisa’s story
In January 2005 I sneezed and I remember a shooting pain run down my shoulder and arm. A few months later I was aware that I had a bad back and what I thought was a crick in the neck plus numbness along my arm and fingers. At that time I was exercising at the […]
Megan’s story
My only symptoms in august 1996 were the third finger of my left hand itching constantly. After tests for carpel tunnel proved negative I was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon this took until March 1997. By this time the last three fingers and wrist on my left hand were tingling, burning and aching. After various […]
Paul’s Story
UPDATED – My Story April 2025 It has been over fourteen years since I initially composed my story below in 2011. Since then, I have relocated to my own house instead of a flat, and have had a couple of different jobs since, including my own funding consultancy. I now work for the Civil Service […]