**Mum’s Life Shattered by Seizure Turns to Hope After Years of Adversity**
Natalie Fowler, a mother of two from Merthyr Tydfil, experienced a terrifying ordeal that would change her life forever. What began as an ordinary drive home from her new job at a GP surgery swiftly turned into a fight for survival and hope for the future. After suffering an unexpected seizure behind the wheel, Natalie was confronted not only with the immediate shock of the incident but also the onset of a journey that would upend the lives of her entire family.
Her niece, quick-thinking and courageous, was able to stop the car, preventing a potential accident. While the immediate threat was averted, this harrowing episode marked the beginning of a lengthy medical investigation. The distressing event ultimately led to Natalie being diagnosed with oligodendroglioma, an uncommon type of brain tumour making up only a small proportion of brain cancer cases in the UK.
The diagnosis came as a profound blow for Natalie and her family. Doctors estimated she had around ten years to live, news that struck particularly hard for her two children, then just 11 and 13 years old. The family was forced to confront the reality that their future might look radically different from what they had expected.
Natalie recalls how the incident came out of nowhere. “I never thought I’d be in this position, especially just after starting a new role,” she said. “You go from feeling on top of things to having your world turn upside down in an instant.” She hopes that by sharing her story, others might be more aware of potential warning signs and feel encouraged to seek help if needed.
Following her diagnosis, a scan revealed that the tumour was about the size of a large egg. Immediate treatment meant Natalie began chemotherapy in September 2015. However, the medical interventions brought new complications. Despite treatment, she suffered continuing seizures, posing further risks and compounding the family’s anxiety.
Significant developments came in December 2018, when a team at Heath Hospital expressed cautious optimism about surgery. The plan was to attempt to remove up to 90 percent of the tumour through an awake craniotomy, a challenging procedure during which she would remain awake so surgeons could monitor her vital brain functions. During the operation, it became tragically apparent that Natalie had suffered a stroke—she lost her ability to move and to communicate.
Her husband Steve remembers the moment as one of utter helplessness. “The doctor essentially told us to sell our house and hope for the best,” he recalled. The couple faced a daunting route to recovery, with Natalie embarking on intensive speech, language, and occupational therapy. The adjustments were overwhelming, not least because Natalie had previously handled most of the household’s finances, bringing added stress to their new reality.
Charities such as Tenovus Cancer Care stepped in to offer crucial help, aiding with financial advice and guiding the couple through setting up power of attorney. These acts of support were vital as Natalie gradually rebuilt her ability to communicate and manage her affairs.
The years that followed were punctuated by further difficulties. Regular chemotherapy sessions, ongoing physical therapy, and the isolation imposed by the Covid-19 lockdown compounded the challenges. Steve took up running—eventually completing three London Marathons—as both a method of coping and staying mentally resilient. He described it as a way to “keep fit enough to face the uncertainty that cancer brings.”
Despite lingering setbacks, Natalie made significant strides in her recovery. As of July 2023, she completed her final rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Now 43, Natalie has returned to part-time work and, alongside Steve, is planning fundraising efforts to give back to the charities that supported them during their darkest days.
Reflecting on their journey, Steve notes the substantial shift in outlook. “Ten years ago, we couldn’t imagine reaching this point. Now, we want to live life on our own terms and help others facing similar challenges.” Their experience serves as an inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the power of community support throughout life’s most daunting chapters.