A Welsh dad-of-two suffered unexplained migraines for 20 years until doctors discovered the sinister cause of his suffering. Stuart Hill, 62, a highways inspector, had been “fit and healthy” apart from migraines and flashing lights which he experienced intermittently.
On 15 April 2025, Stuart was with family when he suddenly became unable to speak or lift his arms.
He was rushed by ambulance to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, where a CT scan identified a mass on the brain.
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Stuart’s speech varied, and he was diagnosed with a meningioma – a slow-growing tumour.
Three weeks afterwards, on 9 May, Stuart underwent seven hours of surgery, during which surgeons successfully removed the entire tumour.
After returning home to Swansea, Wales, Stuart has continued speech therapy and now receives routine scans every three months, transitioning to six-monthly checks.
His wife, Bev, 62, said: “That was the first proper sign. I thought it was a stroke.
“By the time the ambulance arrived his speech had started to come back, but they blue-lighted him to Southmead Hospital in Bristol and gave him a CT scan.
“Around 3am they came back and said it wasn’t a stroke, but they had found a mass, and that was the start of it.”
Stuart Hill from Swansea suffered with mirgaines for two decades until the cause was uncovered
Following his emergency admission to Southmead Hospital, a CT scan confirmed that Stuart had a mass on the brain.
Stuart’s speech fluctuated, and he was prescribed steroids. Surgeons explained that, since there was no evidence of cancer elsewhere, it was likely to be a slow-growing tumour that Stuart could have had for years.
Surgeons recommended that Stuart required an operation, though they warned of significant risks, including stroke, cognitive impairment or death.
“It was the worst possible news. My first thought was how we were going to tell our daughters, Megan and Jodie,” Bev said.
Stuart Hill, 62, a highways inspector, from Swansea with his wife Bev
Three weeks later, on May 9, 2025, Stuart underwent seven hours of surgery where surgeons were able to remove the entire tumour.
The tumour had not penetrated his brain but was attached to the membrane and skull, a portion of which required removal and reconstruction using bone cement.
Bev said: “When I went in to see him after surgery, he couldn’t speak. It was so upsetting to see him so poorly. “During this time, Megan was sitting university exams. It affected her terribly.
Stuart Hill, from Swansea, after the operation to remove a brain tumour
How she got through her exams, I have no idea. ” Whilst early scans indicated only routine post-surgical swelling, a subsequent MRI report confirmed that Stuart had suffered a stroke.
The stroke affected the region of the brain responsible for speech and language, and 10 months on, he continues to struggle with communication.
Stuart also suffered a seizure and now requires anti-seizure medication twice a day. Stuart’s daughter, Megan, 24, is taking on the Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday, 7 June to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, whilst Bev organised a fundraising event featuring activities, singers and raffle prizes.
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Together, they aim to raise £3,000 which would finance more than a day’s research, such as that being conducted at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth.Bev remarked: “For us, we have a happy ending. But we know more funding is needed for research, and we want to do our part to make sure other families can have an ending like ours. “
Stuart Hill from Swansea suffered from migraines for more than 20 years until the cause of his headaches was discovered
Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, stated: “We are so grateful to Stuart, Bev and Megan for sharing their story and for turning such a frightening experience into positive action.
“”Whilst we celebrate Stuart’s recovery, too many families face a very different outcome. “”Brain tumours remain severely underfunded, and it is only through increased awareness and sustained investment in research that we can improve survival and ultimately find a cure.
“”Supporters like the Hill family are helping us move closer to that goal. “
You can make a donation by visiting Megan’s Just Giving page here
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