UPDATE: A shocking health crisis has unfolded for Laura Critchley, a 40-year-old mother from Yorkshire, England, who was diagnosed with eight brain tumors after struggling to speak during a work meeting. Just days later, she experienced severe memory loss, prompting immediate medical attention.
During a team call on May 13, Critchley was hosting when she suddenly found herself unable to articulate her thoughts. “Initially, I thought I was having a panic attack,” she stated. After the meeting, she was unable to remember how to start her car, indicating a serious health issue.
Critchley’s condition rapidly deteriorated as she was taken to her mother’s home, where an ambulance was called. Medical professionals suspected a stroke, but CT scans revealed a far more severe diagnosis: eight tumors in her brain, one of which was bleeding. Her partner, Lee Vaughan, recounted the harrowing experience: “Laura went from bad to worse during the ambulance ride. By the time we were at the hospital, she couldn’t form a sentence. It was frightening.”
Following a five-day hospital stay during which she received steroids to stabilize her condition, Critchley faced devastating news. A doctor warned Vaughan to “prepare for the worst,” suggesting the possibility of stage 3 secondary brain cancer. Critchley expressed her fears, stating, “My main concern was leaving my boys, Brody, 10, and Frazer, 8. I was grieving the life I was going to leave behind.”
After 16 days of waiting for answers, Critchley received some relief when doctors confirmed that her tumors are not cancerous. “We were elated,” Vaughan told reporters, “but at the minute, we are no closer to a diagnosis.” Most of the tumors are located on the left side of her brain, with surgery scheduled for November 19 to remove them and further examine their nature.
Currently, Critchley is on seizure medication after suffering a seizure upon her hospital admission. She continues to struggle with her speech and coordination, stating, “I’m not 100 percent back to myself. As the day goes on, I struggle with sentence formation.”
Reflecting on her health journey, Critchley noted missed warning signs. She had brushed off persistent headaches for about a month, attributing them to work-related stress. “As a society, we put up with stuff and tolerate things,” she remarked. “When you have a career and you’re a mom, you have no time to be ill.”
As she prepares for surgery, Critchley remains focused on recovery and cherishes her time with her children. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her diagnosis, she and Vaughan are holding onto hope that the upcoming surgery will provide answers and a path to healing.
This urgent situation highlights the critical importance of recognizing health symptoms before they escalate. As Critchley’s story unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change—and the urgent need for awareness around health issues.
Stay tuned for more updates on Critchley’s journey and the outcomes of her upcoming surgery.