Paramedic’s “Lazy Eye” Was Really a Rare Brain Tumour
A 24-year-old paramedic’s persistent health struggles were repeatedly dismissed as a “lazy eye.” However, her instincts proved correct when an MRI scan finally revealed a rare central neurocytoma brain tumour.
Early Symptoms Brushed Aside
Hannah Lemanski, a young paramedic, began experiencing troubling symptoms, including severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. Because she worked long and tiring shifts, her complaints were attributed to exhaustion and stress. Multiple doctors reassured her that the issue was simply a lazy eye, leaving her without answers.
Despite trying to accept this explanation, Hannah sensed something was deeply wrong. After her fifth consultation at an eye clinic, specialists finally ordered an MRI scan. That crucial step uncovered the hidden cause: a central neurocytoma, an extremely rare tumour that affects fewer than one in a million people each year.
Surgery Brings Hope
The diagnosis, though frightening, finally provided clarity. Surgeons at James Cook Hospital performed a complex operation to remove around 80% of the tumour. Recovery was tough, but within weeks, Hannah’s determination pushed her back to her role as a paramedic. Returning to work symbolised not just physical recovery, but also her resilience and passion for helping others.
Tumour Recurrence and New Hurdles
Unfortunately, her relief was short-lived. A routine follow-up MRI in March 2025 showed the tumour had begun to grow back. Her doctors recommended gamma-knife surgery.
However, the next challenge was not medical but bureaucratic. The procedure was not routinely funded by NHS England. Hannah’s consultant filed an individual funding request, but weeks turned into months without approval. For someone with a growing tumour, such delays added immense anxiety and risk.
Funding Barriers Expose Systemic Issues
Hannah’s experience reflects a broader problem in healthcare systems: patients with rare conditions often face administrative roadblocks when they need urgent treatment. Even when advanced therapies are available and recommended, approval processes can drag on, leaving patients caught between medical advice and funding policies.
Determined not to remain silent, Hannah launched a petition calling for reform of NHS funding procedures. Her campaign quickly gained traction, with thousands supporting her demand for fairer, faster access to life-saving treatments.
Why This Story Matters
The story of a paramedic misdiagnosed with lazy eye before brain tumour discovery carries lessons for both the public and the medical community. It demonstrates the importance of listening to patients, investigating persistent symptoms thoroughly, and addressing the urgent need for funding reform in rare disease care.
Hannah’s journey is not just about her battle with a rare tumour but also about resilience, advocacy, and hope. By refusing to accept dismissal, she uncovered her diagnosis, underwent life-saving surgery, and is now using her voice to push for systemic change.
Conclusion
Hannah’s courage reminds us that no symptom should be ignored, no matter how minor it may seem. Her story proves that persistence can save lives and that one individual’s fight can spark awareness, reform, and support for countless others facing rare conditions.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 8 September 2025
- 22:00
