A woman's migraines stopped after her twin had a brain tumour removed.
Hilary Stockton was 18-years-old when she started suffering with a change in her vision and painful headaches. At the same time her twin sister Hayley also started suffering with migraines.
After going for an eye test, Hilary was sent to various hospitals where a scan revealed she had a mass on her brain. She was diagnosed with a low-grade tumour.
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The next day Hilary had an operation at the Walton Centre to remove the tumour. Once out of surgery both Hilary’s and Hayley’s migraines stopped.
Inspired by her sister, Hayley is taking on a 100 Squats or Star Jumps a day in November Challenge for Brain Tumour Research.
Brain tumour patient Hilary said: “I have a check-up every couple of years and although I suffer from tunnel vision, I am able to live life without any limitations. My sister and I have always been close and I’m proud of Hayley for taking on this challenge for Brain Tumour Research and I’ll certainly be cheering her on throughout the month.”
Hayley, now 47, who is a full-time carer, added: “We’ve always had this kind of twin thing, be it through life’s milestones or sensing when one of us might be feeling a certain way.”
The twins were both also pregnant when Hilary was diagnosed with the tumour, a month before her 19th birthday on December 27, 1993. When Hilary, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, underwent brain surgery, it came with the added risk of losing her unborn baby.
Hayley said: “We were all so worried about Hilary. We were given terrifying statistics indicating she, or the baby, may not make it out of surgery. It was a traumatic time for the whole family.”
Fortunately, Hilary’s surgery was a success, and the sisters went on to give birth to healthy babies just two weeks apart - Hayley's son Jordan, 29, born November 1, 1993 and Hilary's daughter Shona, born November 16, 1993.
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re grateful to Hayley for taking part in the 100 Squats or Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge. Her sister’s story demonstrates how brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age yet historically just 1 percent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours.
"This must change and with the support of people like Hayley we can work towards better treatment options and eventually, a cure.”
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