Kimberley Baggley, a 27 year old mum and primary school teacher from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, who is fighting a grade 3 astrocytoma, has spoken out about her ordeal and the challenges faced by “ordinary people” unable to afford private healthcare.
Diagnosed in June 2023 with the rare and aggressive brain tumour, Kimberley underwent a craniotomy, an experience she recounts as the “scariest thing I ever had to face”, reports the Mirror.
With her final chemotherapy session on the horizon, Kimberley expressed her gratitude that Davina McCall’s recent diagnosis of a benign colloid cyst will bring much-needed attention to brain tumours. However, she highlighted the struggle for those without access to private scans, stating: “Davina, in a way, has been very, very lucky – she was offered a private scan. But normal people, like me, can’t afford that.”
Kimberley, who began experiencing severe migraines at work leading to multiple visits to her GP and A&E only to be dismissed with painkillers, urges others to be persistent with their health concerns: “If I could get one piece of information out there to ‘normal people’, it would be: ‘stay confident, and know about tumours’. Research tumours, go to the doctors and say: ‘I’m not giving up’.”
After spending a week bedridden, Kimberley’s husband Luke took their son George for a swim. Upon returning, they found Kimberley unconscious in bed following a seizure.
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She was rushed to the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, where an MRI and CT scan revealed a brain tumour. Kimberley underwent a craniotomy within the same month, which she admits was “probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever have to face – so I know how Davina feels,” but reassured, “But it is doable – I got through it, and so will she. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Surgeons successfully removed 95% of her tumour, and after completing 33 rounds of radiotherapy, Kimberley is preparing for her eleventh chemotherapy session.
Having emerged stronger, she offers advice to Davina: “I’d like to encourage Davina to stay positive and cheerful – keep that wonderful sense of humour,” and reminds her, “Remember, you’re a human, not a statistic.”
Kimberley commends Davina for sharing her story, highlighting the increased awareness for brain tumours, saying, “This is going to bring more light to brain tumours,” and appreciates the media coverage, “The first thing I thought of was, as awful as it is, they’ve explained the procedure on the lunchtime news, they’ve explained how many people are diagnosed each year. The word is out there.”
Following a gruelling year-and-a-half of treatment, Kimberley has expressed relief, stating she’s “finally” starting to feel better and is eager to “get back to the old me” and complete her treatment.
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