London lawyer discovers headaches were actually a tumour

Amy Wareham, 47, experienced no symptoms except occasional headaches until she had a sudden seizure on a trip to New York, US, in May 2023.

She was blue-lighted to New York Presbyterian Hospital and was given a CT scan and MRI which showed she had two lesions on her brain.

Further scans revealed Amy had a glioblastoma multiforme - a fast-growing tumour - and underwent emergency neurosurgery on June 12, 2023.

Amy has undergone radiotherapy and is coming to the end of her chemotherapy.

City Lawyer in asset management, Amy, from the City of London, said: "At the moment, I am relatively very well. I have come a long way since my first and last seizure in May last year. 

Amy has undergone radiotherapy. (Image: SWNS)

"Then, I was very scared and had a whirlwind of appointments and scans. Now, things have calmed down and I am taking it day by day. 

"My last MRI was stable. Aside from quarterly MRI scans, I have Avastin infusions fortnightly and chemotherapy monthly. 

"The chemotherapy thankfully is oral and I have been tolerating it well."

Since her diagnosis, Amy married her now-husband, Bruce in August 2023 and instead of gifts asked for donations to The Brain Tumour Charity.

The shock of her diagnosis inspired Amy to fundraise and set up a supporter group called The Amy Wareham Fund - raising £90,000 for research into high-grade brain tumours.

She said: “I have been awed and amazed at the very generous support from my family, friends and professional network. 

The Amy Wareham Fund has raised £90,000 so far. (Image: SWNS)

"I have organised a charity dinner and auction which several law firms came to from London, Luxembourg and Ireland. 

"A lawyer dedicated her Ironman to raising awareness and funds, my work team raised funds doing a walking marathon and my neighbour's children organised a cake sale. 

"I have three people running half marathons or marathons for me. People have been so kind."
 
After coming to terms with her diagnosis, Amy was shocked to learn the limited treatment options were available for her.

She said: "When I discovered the dire lack of funding for research into brain tumours I was appalled. 

Amy hopes she can help fund more research for brain tumours. (Image: SWNS)

"Research into more effective treatments is so urgently needed.
 
“Before I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, I had never heard of it. 

"It is an understatement to say I was shocked at being told I have glioblastoma grade 4, and that it has an average 12 to 18 month prognosis.

"I was very surprised that I hadn't heard of it, it being the biggest cancer killer of under 40-year-olds, including children, and tenth biggest overall cancer killer. 

"That’s why I set up my own Fund with The Brain Tumour Charity. I immediately knew that I needed to raise money and awareness.”

The Brain Tumour Charity has awarded a £1.5million 'Quest for Cures' grant to fund research that aims to improve treatment for glioblastoma - the type of tumour Amy has

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Amy supports the charity in their investment into the aggressive tumour that currently has no cure and treatments that haven't changed in over 20 years.

Dr Simon Newman, Chief Scientific Officer at The Brain Tumour Charity said: “Finding new ways to treat glioblastoma is essential if we are to accelerate a cure for this devastating disease. 

"We know that brain tumour treatment is difficult because drugs often cannot get into the brain to target the tumour cells. 

"So, by using new and innovative approaches to ensure that treatments reach the brain we are getting closer to finding more effective treatments.”