A mother’s episodes of fainting and dizziness were initially attributed to low blood pressure before medical professionals uncovered the true cause. Sara Birnie, aged 34, had been suffering from blackouts for a year before it was discovered that she had a tumor obstructing the fluid flow around her brain.
In January of this year, Sara collapsed twice while having lunch with friends and was promptly taken to Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire. Although doctors initially suspected low blood pressure, Sara began experiencing nausea and loss of consciousness later that evening.
A CT scan revealed a small lesion on her brain, accompanied by an accumulation of fluid. Sara, accompanied by her mother Jeanette, 51, and sister Mica, 30, was swiftly transferred to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital for urgent brain surgery the following day to alleviate the pressure.
The mother of two from Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, described her frightening experiences, stating, “I would stand up, everything would go dark, and I would hear my heartbeat pounding before blacking out. The fear of collapsing while with my children lingered in my mind, hinting at a potentially serious underlying issue.”
Sara underwent a procedure to alleviate the brain pressure in January 2025, expressing her shock at the rapid turn of events, “Everything unfolded so quickly – from hoping for a quick return home after some tests to being informed of the urgent need for brain surgery. It was a terrifying ordeal.”
The following day, surgeons drilled into Sara’s skull to drain the fluid and conduct a biopsy of the lesion, which was only half a millimeter in size but had disrupted the normal fluid flow around her brain.
Further tests revealed that the growth was a low-grade papillary tumor in the pineal region, non-cancerous but still posing a potential threat to life due to its location.
Upon receiving the results, Sara expressed immense relief, stating, “Tears streamed down my face upon hearing that it wasn’t cancer. After weeks of anticipation and bracing for the worst, knowing that it wasn’t cancer felt like a second chance at life.”
Feeling rejuvenated and eager to support others, Sara has joined Brain Tumour Research’s 99 Miles in November challenge, aiming to raise awareness and funds for research to improve outcomes for others facing similar challenges.
Ashley McWilliams, the community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, commended Sara’s courage and positivity in turning a frightening experience into a catalyst for positive change, highlighting her inspirational resilience.
To support Sara in the 99 Miles in November challenge, you can visit her JustGiving page.