Hannah’s story
Hannah is a young mum in her 30s. As a dance and fitness teacher, she was healthy, energetic and did not indicate that anything was wrong until the day she had a seizure. Life for Hannah and her family changed in an instant, but what hasn’t changed is her positivity, determination, and resolve to fight, to heal, and to help others as she does so. This is her story:
Hannah’s brain tumour story
Out of the blue
On the 12th September 2024, at 7.30 am, I suffered a full tonic seizure. I was at home at the time with my nine-year-old daughter, eleven-month-old daughter and my husband. After a second seizure, I was rushed to the hospital, and following a CT and MRI scan, we were given the devastating and shocking news that there was a ‘mass’ on my brain. Within 24 hours, it was confirmed as a primary brain tumour (meaning there was no cancer elsewhere in my body).
Being 33, fit and healthy with a background in dance and postpartum fitness, I struggled to accept my shocking diagnosis.
Retrospect
Looking back, I did have headaches most mornings since the birth of my second daughter, Aura, but I put those down to tired-mum life, and as a busy mum, I made excuses and put it to the back of my mind. I now know that morning headaches can also be a sign of pressure in the brain from a brain tumour.
Surgery
On 30 October 2024, I had an awake craniotomy at King’s College Hospital. The surgery lasted ten hours, of which I was awake for four. That was something I am extremely proud of, as I was told it was an extremely long time to be awake during surgery and a testament to my fitness ahead of the operation. Around 70% of the tumour was able to be removed with minimal damage to the motor and sensory functions of my left side.
The surgeon told us afterwards they were 3mm away from me having a stroke and/or paralysis. But I didn’t!!! Our bodies are incredible.
Another shock
We then received another scary and overwhelming update six days after my surgery, that the biopsy had revealed my tumour was an astrocytoma grade 4. It is mutated from a lower grade, meaning it has been growing unknowingly for years and at some point has changed and become more aggressive.
Treatment and research
Not one to stay down for long, and with the support of my husband, Brain Tumour Support and close friends and family, I began adjuvant daily radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy two and a half weeks later, for six weeks.
This part of my treatment is due to finish New Year’s Eve 2024! Then, from February 2025, I am due to start six months of TMZ chemo in cycles.
I am a real fan and advocate for integrative healing, so am pleased to be doing all the treatment offered from the NHS alongside other research and supplements and treatments that I can do myself at home.
My journey – to help you too
I have documented every single part of my journey from diagnosis to surgery to the countdown of finishing radiotherapy, to hair loss, to show people that when you’re a mum, you really can dig deep, you have a reason to fight, to heal, and to keep stacking days.
I hope that people continue to see my Instagram and TikTok pages, and it helps them to feel hope, positivity and strength for the journey they are on. You really can do this. Research in the right places, feel gratitude and not fear.
And use the amazing support team at Brain Tumour Support as they really have been the light for me and my family at such a dark time. Thank you for all the messages and calls of reassurance and kindness from Amy, my Brain Tumour Support Professional. I couldn’t have got through this period without her.
Hannah Langton | December 2024
On New Year’s Eve 2024, Hannah completed a big step on her treatment plan.
In her own words
🌈 ☁️ I RANG THE BELL ON New Year’s Eve 🔔
6 weeks, 30 radiotherapy sessions, 42 TMZ chemo tablets, and this part of my treatment is now done.
Yesterday also marked two months since my awake brain surgery 🧠 ✨
All you need is hope. And I have a bucket load. ❤️
Full of hope
Hannah epitomises the importance of hope and positivity when faced with the tough challenges that a brain tumour diagnosis brings. In January 2025, we were proud to lead our Month of Hope campaign with Hannah’s story. And now, in January 2026, we are still more delighted that she is again bringing a special sparkle to this year’s Month of Hope alongside her young daughter Eva, who has organised a Sparkle Day at her school, raising funds for Brain Tumour Support and sharing that message of hope and positivity.
Hannah’s cycles of chemotherapy continue, but she also works hard every day to help her healing with the best possible nutrition, complementary treatments and fitness. Hannah is feeling good and positive, and that is backed up by the evidence of her latest scans, as she explains:
My last two scans have shown no evidence of enhancing tumour and a happy healthy healed brain! Long may it continue.
Support Eva’s Sparkle Day
If you would like to contribute to Eva’s Sparkle Day fundraiser, please scan the QR code below or donate using the link below.
Support people like Hannah
Every 40 minutes, someone in the UK receives this shocking diagnosis, and when faced with the words ‘You have a brain tumour’, the right support to help navigate the path ahead is vital. Brain tumours can affect any one of us, irrespective of age, lifestyle or general health.
Brain Tumour Support wants to ensure that no one feels alone at any stage of that journey. So if you can donate, helping us to be here for more people like Hannah, we would be very grateful. Our support services are always free to access and rely on the generosity of fundraising and donations to be maintained. Thank you so much.
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