Catherine Gladwyn Story – Living with a Pituitary Tumour
On this emotional and eye-opening episode of The Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show, host Claire Bullimore sits down with the courageous and deeply insightful Catherine Gladwyn. Catherine’s story begins with symptoms that medical professionals brushed off. Determined to find answers, she pushed for a second opinion—a decision that would ultimately save her life. A prolactin test revealed a pituitary tumour, a diagnosis that explained the intense hormonal changes and alarming memory loss she had been experiencing.
Catherine underwent surgery to remove the tumour, and almost immediately, her memory began to return. But her journey didn’t end there. She would go on to face multiple surgeries and treatments, including gamma knife radiotherapy. Each challenge reshaped how she saw the world and her place in it.
“Facing a brain tumour taught me to cherish every moment and focus on what truly matters.” – Catherine
Catherine speaks about:
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The heartbreak of being dismissed and misdiagnosed.
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The emotional and mental toll of memory loss on both her and her family.
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She filtered her relationships to focus on meaningful, supportive connections.
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Why mental health support is vital when facing chronic illness.
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The beauty of accepting mortality and embracing the fullness of life.
Her story is a deeply personal reminder of how fragile—and beautiful—life can be. She doesn’t sugar-coat the pain, but instead offers something far more meaningful: truth.
“We must talk about death, illness, and the things that scare us. Only then can we live more fully.” — Catherine Gladwyn
Find Catherine here:
You can watch the full episode here:
📺 Watch on YouTube: Watch Catherine’s Episode
🎧 Listen on the podcast: The Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show