Three Tyrone friends united by life-saving brain surgery

THREE friends who have each survived life-threatening brain tumours are coming together to host a special coffee morning in aid of the Neurology Department and ICU Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Organised by Clare Kelly from Beragh, and Colm McCrystal and Annette Martin, both from Carrickmore, the event will take place in the Patrician Hall, Carrickmore, on Saturday, May 10, from 10am to 2pm.

The trio recently shared their personal experiences and paid tribute to the hospital staff and surgeons who helped save their lives.

The youngest of the group, 34-year-old Colm, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2020, aged just 29.

“I had constant headaches for about two or three years leading up to my diagnosis,” he recalled.

“When the first lockdown happened at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was on a Zoom call one evening and the pain became unbearable.”

That same night, Colm suffered a fall at home. He contacted his doctor, and after a CT scan, he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

“I was in for a month in total. They operated on May 29, but it wasn’t long before I was back on my feet,” he said.

“I experienced a real high point and felt like life was worth living again.”

Just three months later, Colm was readmitted to hospital with meningitis, a complication following his surgery. Despite the setback, he has since made a full recovery.

“I have gotten married since and have a wee boy now,” he said.

“I’ve gotten married since and have a wee boy now,” he said. “Things are really looking up. I’m five years clear now and I can’t thank the Royal enough for everything.”

Giving back

Annette Martin (47), also from Carrickmore, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012. She and Colm knew each other through volunteering at the Patrician Hall and had long discussed doing something together to give back.

“It’s strange just how common brain tumours are,” said Annette.

“I don’t know if it’s because I have had one and I’m more aware of it, but I’ve been contacted by so many people asking if I could speak to friends or family going through something similar.

“That alone shows the importance of raising awareness.”

small lump

Annette said she first realised something was wrong after discovering a small lump on her forehead.

“It all happened very quick,” she explained.

“It all happened very quickly. I went for a CT scan, then an MRI, and the following Tuesday morning my house phone rang. They told me they’d found a lesion – a tumour on the back of my brain.”

Clare Kelly (52), from Beragh, also shared her story with us.

She first noticed symptoms one morning while in her kitchen.

“Out of nowhere I realised that I couldn’t see out of my left eye,” said Clare. “It only lasted a few seconds, but later, a colleague at work told me he’d had the same symptoms before suffering a stroke.”

After a series of scans, Clare was told she had a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball.

“I stuck my fingers in my ears when the doctor told me… I couldn’t listen. It was all happening so fast.

“They said it could be critical as there was blood vessels wrapped around my tumour which could cause problems if not dealt with immediately.”

Clare’s operation was originally scheduled for March 2020 but was delayed until May due to the pandemic.

“I spent one month in hospital,” she recalled. I also spent two and a half weeks in intensive care because I had suffered a stroke following my operation, but thankfully I’m doing much better now.”

The trio said they owe their lives to the care and expertise of the Royal Victoria Hospital.

“The staff were exceptional,” said Colm.

“The surgeons too,” added Clare.

“We truly wouldn’t be here without them,” concluded Annette.

If you would like to make a donation you can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com and searching ‘Colm McCrystall’.

The coffee morning will take place in the Patrician Hall, Carrickmore on Saturday, May 10 from 10am to 2pm. All proceeds will go to the Neurological Wards and Intensive Care Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.