18 months of rehabilitation After Brain Surgery

Anya was diagnosed with a large acoustic neuroma after experiencing persistent headaches.At first, it was thought to be stress. She was working across global time zones in a high-pressure consultancy role, balancing life with a young daughter at home.But an MRI revealed something far more serious — a large tumour located close to her brain stem.Everything changed overnight.Shortly after her diagnosis, Anya stepped away from work to prepare for surgery and spend time with her family. Her daughter was just four years old.The surgery was successful.But complications followed.Anya underwent two further surgeries and was placed into an induced coma.When she woke up five days later, her world was completely different.She experienced:• Weakness on one side of her body• Deafness in one ear• Facial paralysis• Severe balance issues• Double vision and visual lossWhat followed was months of intensive rehabilitation, including specialist vestibular therapy and neuro-rehabilitation.In this deeply reflective and powerful episode, Anya shares:• The shock of diagnosis and becoming a parent with a brain tumour• Life-changing complications after surgery• The mental and emotional impact of recovery• The power of neuroplasticity and small, consistent progress• Learning to accept a new identity• Finding purpose through advocacy and charity work• Why the psychological journey is often harder than the physical oneNow eight years on, Anya continues to support the brain tumour community, helping others navigate diagnosis, treatment and life beyond it.Her message is clear:Have faith in small steps. Don’t lose hope. And allow yourself time to adapt to a new way of living.This episode is part of a 31-day series sharing real brain tumour stories for Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2026.If this story resonates with you, please share it. Every voice matters.⚠️ Content note: This episode discusses brain tumour diagnosis, surgery complications, coma and rehabilitation.