**Jersey Mother of Four Diagnosed with Incurable Brain Tumour After Sudden Collapse at Work**
A mother of four from Jersey has received a devastating prognosis after collapsing at her workplace—she now faces an incurable brain tumour diagnosis and is estimated to have less than a decade left to live, even with ongoing treatment.
Sophie Reid, aged 37, described the traumatic moment she suddenly lost the ability to speak and fell unconscious while at work in October 2024. “I had never felt anything like it,” Sophie recalled. “I genuinely thought I was dying. My speech vanished, and all I could do was stare at the ceiling.” Her colleagues acted quickly, calling for emergency medical services as she remained unconscious for around five minutes and briefly stopped breathing.
After being rushed to hospital, initial medical assessments reportedly attributed her episode to stress. However, Sophie felt instinctively that her condition was more serious. Taking matters into her own hands, she approached her local GP, who was surprised no brain scan had been recommended and referred her for further tests.
Due to the manner of the referral, Sophie was required to pay £30 for the scan—a cost associated with private, rather than emergency, care. The subsequent scan revealed the deeply concerning presence of a cancerous lesion measuring 4.8cm. “It was a huge shock,” said Sophie. “Looking back, I noticed I’d been feeling out of sorts, but I blamed grief from a recent loss and a bit of clumsiness.” The reality of her diagnosis only sank in once doctors confirmed the presence of the tumour.
Following the original scan, Sophie was airlifted to Southampton for more detailed MRI imaging, leaving her in a state of anxiety as she awaited further information. As the mother of Kyla (12), Alex (11), Connor (15), and Joseph (12), her paramount concern was how to break the news to her children and whether she would see them grow into adulthood. “The uncertainty was agony; it felt as though everything was hanging by a thread,” she said.
Upon learning that she faced an 18-month wait for potentially life-prolonging surgery in the public system, Sophie opted for private care, enabled by her husband’s insurance. This accelerated process showed that the tumour had grown even in the short intervening period. Ultimately, Sophie underwent a craniotomy costing £22,000, which succeeded in removing around 90% of the tumour. Tragically, follow-up tests confirmed the cancer was incurable, setting her life expectancy at under ten years.
The emotional burden has been heavy. “The hardest part is knowing how my children are affected,” Sophie shared. “There’s fear, but also a sense of loss for the life we had before. Nevertheless, my family gives me strength, and the little moments mean so much more now.”
Looking ahead, Sophie is set to commence a year of chemotherapy, aiming to slow the tumour’s progression and extend her time with her loved ones. Financially, the situation has proved challenging, as she is unable to work and the cost of living on Jersey is high. The family has received support from a local charity and have launched a fundraising campaign, reaching over £6,000 of their £9,000 goal thus far.
Sophie’s story highlights not only the personal struggle faced by individuals with serious illness, but also broader concerns regarding diagnostic delays and the need for persistent self-advocacy. “Early and thorough investigation is vital,” she asserted, encouraging others to push for answers when their health is at stake. She also hopes to raise awareness for better funding and research into brain tumours.
The experience has left a significant mark on every aspect of her family life. Sophie now finds crowded and noisy environments difficult and regards her former workplace as a source of trauma. Reflecting on the journey, she said, “I can’t imagine how it must feel for my children. The worry of not being able to provide or keep a roof over our heads adds to the burden, but I’m doing my best to focus on the present and make meaningful memories.”
Simon West, Medical Director for Health and Care Jersey, expressed sympathy for Sophie and her family, though refrained from commenting on individual cases. He affirmed that Jersey’s health services strive to provide evidence-based treatment and learn from patient feedback to improve care.
As Sophie continues her fight, she’s determined to use her story to empower others facing illness and to champion the importance of timely healthcare interventions. “Every day is a gift,” she said, “and I want to help give others hope and the courage to keep seeking answers.”