Megan Williamson, a mom from Warrington, thought her ear ringing was just from long-haul flights at the end of 2022. She was all like, “Oh, it’s probably just from flying, no big deal.” But then the ringing wouldn’t stop, and it was driving her crazy. So, she went to the doctor in March 2024 and got a scan at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, where they found a rare brain tumor called vestibular schwannoma. The tumor messes with the nerve that handles hearing and balance, which is not cool.
The doctors at The Walton Centre said the tumor was slow-growing, and they advised against surgery for now. Megan was like, “I’m trying not to let this tumor ruin my life, but dang, this ringing in my ears won’t let me forget about it.” She’s got three teenagers at home, so silence is like a unicorn – super rare. When the house gets quiet, the ear ringing is all she can focus on. It’s a constant reminder of the tumor lurking in her brain.
After the scan at Leighton Hospital, Megan’s GP hit her up with the news about the vestibular schwannoma. Megan was shook, like the floor disappeared beneath her. The GP said it was low-grade, but the word “tumor” is still scary as heck. She was freaking out, wondering how to break the news to her hubby and kids. It’s a lot to process, you know?
So, off to The Walton Centre for more tests, where they confirmed the slow-growing tumor’s location on the nerve related to hearing and balance. Since the tumor wasn’t an immediate threat, the doctors decided against surgery due to the risks involved. Facial palsy and hearing loss are no joke, so they’re just keeping an eye on it with annual scans for now.
Megan said, “I feel lucky that it’s small and they caught it early, but it’s still a big deal to wrap my head around. You don’t expect to hear you have a brain tumor when you’re feeling fine otherwise. The ear ringing is still there, annoying as ever. I’m trying to ignore it and go about my day, but it’s always lingering in the back of my mind.”
Aside from dealing with her own tumor situation, Megan lost her childhood friend, Katie, to a brain tumor when they were both 22. Katie’s symptoms were dismissed at first, and by the time they figured out what was up, it was too late. It hit Megan hard, losing such a vibrant friend at a young age.
That’s why Megan’s taking on the “200k in May Your Way” challenge, where she can walk, run, cycle, swim, or do whatever to cover 200 kilometers in May and raise funds for Brain Tumor Research. She’s walking and horse-riding to raise money for research, hoping they can find a cure. She’s seen firsthand how devastating brain tumors can be and how limited the treatment options are for many.
Ashley McWilliams from Brain Tumor Research said, “Megan’s story shows us that symptoms like tinnitus should never be ignored. Brain tumors take out more young women than breast cancer, yet research for it is seriously lacking. We’re grateful to Megan for sharing her story and bringing attention to this awful disease.”
If you want to support Megan’s 200k challenge or learn more about Brain Tumor Research, check it out here. Let’s help find a cure for this messed up disease.