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Julie Coleman, a 33-year-old mother from Glasgow, Scotland, endured nearly a decade of debilitating back and leg pain before finally learning the true cause: a large benign tumour growing inside her spinal cord. Her story highlights the challenges of diagnosing rare medical conditions and the persistence required to seek answers when symptoms persist.
Coleman’s ordeal began in 2014 during her pregnancy, when she first experienced severe pain in her back and legs. Doctors initially attributed her symptoms to sciatica, a common pregnancy complication, and assured her the pain would likely subside after childbirth. However, the pain persisted for years. Despite repeated visits to her GP and physiotherapists, she was consistently prescribed painkillers and physiotherapy, with no further investigation into her worsening symptoms.
Over the years, Coleman’s condition deteriorated. In 2022, she began experiencing numbness in her right foot, which gradually spread. Frustrated by the lack of progress and feeling dismissed by her healthcare providers, she feared she would be in pain for the rest of her life. It wasn’t until November 2024, after seeing a new physiotherapist, that she was finally referred for an MRI scan. The scan revealed significant changes in her spinal cord, prompting an urgent referral to a neurosurgeon.
A full MRI scan in January 2025 uncovered the true cause: a large schwannoma, a rare, non-cancerous tumour that grows on the nerves. Doctors warned that the tumour posed a risk of paralysis and recommended immediate surgery. Coleman underwent the operation later that month, and while surgeons were able to remove most of the tumour, nerve damage had already occurred. She was left with a spinal cord injury and no sensation below her right knee.
Despite these challenges, Coleman remains determined to walk down the aisle at her wedding this July, using crutches for support. She and her fiancé, Stephen, plan to be seated during the ceremony, and their son will walk her down the aisle. Coleman has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover unexpected costs related to her condition and hopes to take her son on a special holiday after all he has been through.
“I was really shocked as I had been trying to say something was wrong the whole time,” Coleman said, reflecting on her long journey to a diagnosis.
Doctors have advised that it could take up to two years to determine whether her symptoms will be permanent, as there is a chance some feeling may return. In the meantime, Coleman uses a Zimmer frame at home and a wheelchair for longer distances.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available news reports and information from fundraising pages. It is not intended as medical advice. Readers experiencing persistent or unexplained pain should consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
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