A woman has detailed how a hidden condition that affects her brain has made simple daily tasks a struggle and meant having to 'downgrade' her career. Samia Tahir, 36, has hydrocephalus, a build up of excess fluid that puts pressure on the brain.
She has lived with the condition for around five years. In 2015, Samia, a former personal assistant, underwent a CT scan at the hospital trust where she worked, having been suffering from headaches, being sensitive light and experiencing blurred vision.
For two years she continued to complain of migraine-type symptoms and neck pain, before being admitted for emergency surgery in at the same hospital, Wythenshawe. She'd been suffering severe headaches, swelling to her face, and vomiting, reports CheshireLive.
It then came to light that the 2015 scan had missed the non-cancerous build-up on the brain. Married mum-of-two from Altrincham Samia, who now works as an admin clerk for the hospital trust, now suffers from cognitive and memory problems, as well as attention and information processing problems and experiences anxiety, low mood and fatigue.
She said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult few years and I’m still coming to terms with everything that has happened. While I look physically well, it’s been hard coping with my hidden symptoms – like memory problems and fatigue. I was a lot more happy-go-lucky before my hydrocephalus and surgery and had a great outlook on life.
"Now I find my attitude towards things has changed. I’m not as calm as I used to be, and get frustrated that I’m not as independent as I was. Even small things like putting jars back in the wrong place or mixing up clothes frustrate me, and I also feel that I’m not able to help the children as much with their homework as I can make mistakes so it’s unfair on them.
“I had to leave my job role as PA and downgrade to an admin clerk as I was forgetting tasks that were given to me by my manager and I began making mistakes. I know nothing can change what I’ve been through, but I hope that by sharing my story I can help others who may be going through similar issues.
"Hydrocephalus has had a big impact on my life. But I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me."
Samia now wants to become involved with The Brain Tumour Charity, adding: "People affected by hydrocephalus shouldn’t feel they have to suffer alone as help and is support is out there.”
Samia instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and help her access the specialist therapies and support she requires. Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Wythenshawe Hospital, admitted a breach of duty in that it failed to diagnose Samia’s tumour in March 2015. But the hospital trust said the delay in diagnosis did not cause Samia’s hydrocephalus and cognitive problems.
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation trust said it had "previously formally apologised to Samia for failing to identify her tumour seven years ago", and that it "will continue to support her both as a patient and as a member of staff.”
Nicola Ashton, the lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Samia, said: “Hydrocephalus is caused by a build-up of fluid on the brain which creates increased pressure, which in turn can damage the brain. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal, so its impact should never be downplayed.
“The last few years and trying to come to terms with what happened understandably has been incredibly difficult for Samia and her family. She has had a number of concerns about what happened to her.
"The Trust’s admission that it failed to diagnose her tumour is particularly worrying. While nothing can make up for what Samia has been through we’re determined to help her access the specialist therapies she requires.
"She has shown a huge amount of courage in sharing her story to help others and we join her in supporting this important campaign. It’s also vital that the Trust learns lessons from the issues identified in her care.”
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