Life After a Rare Brain Tumour and Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome

Alex Jelly was a professional fundraiser for charities for many years in London and then a fundraising consultant for UK and international charities. In the summer of 2016 she started to feel odd and that led to the brain tumour, which has in turn led to this book.Barbara A. Wilson is a clinical neuropsychologist who has worked in brain injury rehabilitation for 42 years. She has won many awards for her work, including an OBE for services to rehabilitation and five lifetime achievement awards.Adel Helmy is a University Lecturer in the Division of Neurosurgery, University of Cambridge, and an Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.

"This remarkable book shares Alex’s lived experience of a rare type of meningioma and the perplexing effects that dramatically altered her sense of reality and control over her thoughts, behaviour, speech and body. Part one charters her journey spanning life prior to the illness, symptom onset and diagnosis, treatment, experience of psychosis, rehabilitation and adjustment to the new normal. Part two is written by a leading neurosurgeon and a world-renowned clinical neuropsychologist and provides the clinical context for understanding Alex’s illness and the rehabilitation that was integral to her recovery. Over time, Alex has managed to put the pieces of the puzzle together to find meaning in her illness with the support of family, friends and professionals. This beautifully written, candid and touching account will appeal to other people and family members affected by neurological conditions and cancer and will inspire anyone facing major life challenges." - Tamara Ownsworth, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Australia.

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsForeword by Dr Jill WinegardnerPART ONE: Alex’s StoryChapter 1: Life BeforeChapter 2: Symptoms & Diagnosis/ The Lime in the CoconutChapter 3: The Op / Happy Valentine’s DayChapter 4: Early VisitsChapter 5: Psychosis and stories – insights and butterfliesChapter 6: CancerChapter 7: Rehabilitation & RecoveryChapter 8: Naturopathy & strategies that have helpedChapter 9: Life TodayPART TWO: Background Information from Adel Helmy and Barbara A. Wilson Chapter 10: Meningioma and the brainAdel HelmyChapter 11: Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome. What is it? Why does it happen? Long term consequences Adel HelmyChapter 12: Reports from staff and Alex's former partnerBarbara A WilsonChapter 13: Alex at the Oliver Zangwill CentreChapter 14: Summary and ConclusionsBarbara A WilsonReferencesIndex