Mum told she 'shouldn't have survived' after developing sepsis on the brain

A 50 year old mum from Drewsteignton, Devon, miraculously survived against all odds after developing sepsis on the brain. Initially rushed to Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in November 2019 due to a stroke, Alison Strong was diagnosed with a low-grade meningioma, a slow-growing non-cancerous brain tumour.

However, her condition took a dire turn just before Christmas 2023 when a scan showed the tumour had become cancerous. Alison underwent targeted stereoscopic radiotherapy on 26th March 2024.

But by August 2024, she faced another life-threatening challenge as she was hit with stomach pain and cold sweats, leading to her hospitalisation where she was diagnosed with brain sepsis and encephalitis, causing brain swelling.

After spending six days in an induced coma and being treated on a ventilator, Alison awoke and is now awaiting rehabilitation to address the psychological impacts of her coma experience. The determined mum-of-five expressed her turmoil and resolve, saying: "It felt like my whole world had fallen apart when I found out it was cancerous.

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She continued, "I cried for weeks, but I knew I couldn't waste time feeling sorry for myself. I have to be strong for my children and keep on fighting."

Alison, who might face a significant surgical procedure to remove a brain tumour in March 2025 if radiotherapy doesn't stop its growth, has spoken about the ordeal, saying: "Due to its location in my brain, surgeons have said it will be extremely difficult to remove."

She admitted: "I’m scared to death at the thought of someone cutting my head open, but I’ve got to be positive. You think about it every day but you’ve got to keep going and remain hopeful."

"If you give up your body will too." Initially mistaking her stomach pains for a reaction to tumour treatment, Alison was shocked to discover they were signs of a more severe condition. Following a seizure at A&E, it was revealed she had developed sepsis on the brain as well as encephalitis.

Recalling the harrowing experience, she said: "They put me in intensive care on a ventilator. My husband, Andrew was told that they didn’t expect me to last two days."

But defying the odds, she said: "Somehow, I got through it, and I woke up six days later. Doctors told me I shouldn’t be alive."

As she recuperates, Alison is actively supporting Brain Tumour Research by participating in their 99 Miles in November challenge. This acknowledges the ability to complete the daily 3.3 miles (or 8,250 steps) whether by walking, running, cycling, swimming, or otherwise.

She said: "Even if I’m not here, if the money raised through this challenge can help someone in the future I will have done well. Nobody should go through this - living with a brain tumour is petrifying."

"You can be walking around not knowing you’ve got it. So much more needs to be done to defeat this terrible disease."

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented: "Alison’s determination in the face of this disease is a true inspiration. Despite all she has been through, she is still fighting.

"Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in the number of brain tumour diagnoses by 11% in the last decade. Despite this worrying trend, only 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002."