Garrett’s Ganglioglioma Story: Childhood Brain Surgery, Epilepsy and Finding His Way Forward

Diagnosed with a ganglioglioma after experiencing seizures as a child, Garrett Miller underwent brain surgery that left him with partial paralysis. Years later, he shares the reality of living with epilepsy, the emotional effects of treatment and why counselling became an important part of his recovery.

When Childhood Seizures Turned Out to Be a Brain Tumour

For Garrett Miller, the first signs of his brain tumour appeared during childhood.

He began experiencing episodes that were initially believed to be fainting spells. At the time, nobody realised they could be seizures caused by something happening inside his brain.

But when Garrett experienced a more serious seizure, his family finally received an explanation.

An MRI scan revealed a brain tumour.

Garrett was diagnosed with a ganglioglioma, a rare tumour of the central nervous system that can be associated with epilepsy.

What followed was brain surgery, unexpected neurological complications and a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Although treatment initially stopped his seizures, they returned years later while he was at college.

When Garrett shared his experiences with Aunty M Brain Tumours, he spoke openly about the lasting physical and emotional effects of his diagnosis, including how his experiences affected relationships, work and confidence.

He also discussed something he wished he had received much earlier: counselling.

For Garrett, psychological support became an important part of understanding everything he had been through.

The Seizures That Led to Garrett’s Diagnosis

Garrett’s early symptoms began when he was still at school.

He experienced episodes that were initially dismissed as fainting spells.

However, during fourth grade, he suffered a significant seizure.

A further seizure occurred at his mother’s work Christmas party.

This time, emergency medical attention was needed.

Garrett experienced his first ambulance journey and underwent further investigations, including an MRI scan.

The scan revealed a brain tumour.

Receiving a diagnosis like this would be frightening at any age, but Garrett was still a child.

He did not fully understand what having a brain tumour meant or how much his life was about to change.

For his family, the diagnosis marked the beginning of difficult decisions about treatment and the possible consequences of surgery.

Being Diagnosed With a Ganglioglioma

Following the discovery of the tumour, Garrett underwent surgery for a biopsy.

A biopsy allows doctors to examine a sample of tumour tissue to help establish the diagnosis.

The results identified the tumour as a ganglioglioma.

Gangliogliomas are relatively rare brain tumours that often develop in children and young adults.

They can contain a mixture of neuronal and glial cells and are frequently associated with seizures.

Although many gangliogliomas are low-grade, their location and effect on surrounding brain tissue can create significant problems.

For Garrett, surgery was recommended.

However, removing the tumour carried risks.

Listen to Garrett tell his story in full in the Aunty M Brain Tumours Talk Show interview below, or keep reading for the written version.

Brain Surgery and Unexpected Partial Paralysis

Garrett underwent a second operation to remove as much of the tumour as possible.

His surgeons were able to remove most of it, but approximately 5% was left behind.

The remaining tumour tissue was considered too dangerous to remove because of the risk of causing further neurological damage.

Despite these precautions, Garrett experienced partial paralysis following surgery.

It was a frightening and unexpected complication.

He had gone into hospital to receive treatment for his brain tumour but woke up facing major changes to his physical abilities.

Garrett also remembered experiencing severe headaches during this period.

Recovery would involve far more than allowing the surgical wound to heal.

He needed rehabilitation to regain movement and independence.

Learning to Walk Again After Brain Surgery

Following surgery, Garrett began the difficult process of physical rehabilitation.

He had to relearn how to walk.

For someone so young, this was an enormous challenge.

Everyday activities that other children could perform without thinking required time, determination and support.

There were also emotional difficulties.

Being a child recovering from major brain surgery meant spending time away from ordinary childhood experiences and adjusting to a body that no longer worked exactly as it had before.

Garrett remembered the kindness of people who helped him during this period.

One particularly meaningful memory involved a pastor who spent time playing video games with him.

It may sound like a small gesture, but for a child going through rehabilitation, having someone provide companionship and distraction could make difficult days feel more manageable.

Garrett’s recovery was not simply about learning to walk again.

It was also about finding moments of enjoyment and connection during a frightening time.

When the Seizures Returned During College

Following surgery, Garrett experienced a period without seizures.

However, while he was at college, they returned.

For Garrett, this brought another set of challenges.

Seizures can be unpredictable, affecting someone’s confidence, independence and ability to participate in everyday activities.

They may also create anxiety about when another episode might occur.

Garrett spoke about embarrassing and upsetting experiences involving seizures, particularly when other people did not understand what was happening.

One incident involving a former partner was especially hurtful.

It reminded him how vulnerable someone living with epilepsy can feel when those around them respond without understanding or compassion.

For Garrett, the return of seizures was not simply a medical problem.

It affected his relationships and the way he felt about himself.

Living With Epilepsy and Seizure Medication

Garrett continued taking medication to help manage his seizures.

He also described experiencing a seizure after missing medication.

His experiences highlight why following an individually prescribed epilepsy treatment plan is important.

For some people, seizures continue even after surgery has removed most or all of a brain tumour.

This can happen because the surrounding brain tissue may remain susceptible to seizure activity.

The effects of epilepsy vary considerably.

Some people achieve good seizure control with medication, while others may need further investigations or treatment.

For Garrett, managing seizures remained part of everyday life.

It was another reminder that brain tumour recovery does not always end when surgery is over.

The Challenges of Living With a Physical Disability

Garrett also spoke about the long-term physical effects of his brain surgery.

The partial paralysis he experienced affected his abilities and influenced how other people perceived him.

He encountered difficulties in employment and described situations where his physical limitations were not understood or accommodated.

These experiences were frustrating.

Garrett wanted opportunities to work, develop his skills and build an independent life.

But he sometimes felt that people saw his disability before recognising his abilities.

Living with the long-term effects of a brain tumour can create challenges that extend well beyond medical appointments.

It may affect education, employment, relationships and confidence.

Garrett’s experience demonstrates why awareness and reasonable adjustments are important for people living with neurological disabilities.

Finding a New Direction Through Forestry and Wildlife Management

One of the encouraging parts of Garrett’s interview was hearing about his interests outside his diagnosis.

He developed a love of nature and spending time outdoors.

At the time of the interview, he was studying forestry and wildlife management.

This represented an opportunity to move towards work that interested him and suited the direction he wanted his life to take.

Garrett found comfort in outdoor activities and being connected to the natural world.

Spending time in nature also gave him a sense of purpose and enjoyment.

After years of medical treatment, rehabilitation and challenges in the workplace, pursuing something he genuinely cared about was an important step.

His experiences are a reminder that life after a brain tumour can involve discovering new interests and finding different ways to build independence.

The Emotional Effects of Childhood Brain Tumour Treatment

One of the most important parts of Garrett’s story concerns mental health.

As a child, much of the attention following his diagnosis focused on physical recovery.

He had undergone brain surgery, experienced paralysis and needed rehabilitation.

Those were significant medical challenges.

But Garrett later recognised that the emotional effects of everything he had experienced were just as important.

Growing up after a brain tumour diagnosis can affect someone’s sense of identity, confidence and emotional wellbeing.

There may be difficult memories, worries about future health and frustration about changes caused by treatment.

Garrett also reflected on how his experiences had affected his personality and emotions.

For many years, he had not fully understood how much his childhood illness had shaped his life.

It was only later, through counselling, that he began exploring those experiences in greater depth.

Why Counselling Became a Lifeline

Garrett spoke openly about the benefits of therapy.

Looking back, he wished psychological support had been offered much earlier in his recovery.

His childhood treatment had involved considerable medical care, but he did not receive the same level of help in understanding its emotional impact.

As an adult, counselling gave him an opportunity to examine experiences that had stayed with him for years.

He could talk about his diagnosis, physical limitations, seizures, relationships and feelings about the person he had become.

Garrett described counselling as a lifeline.

He wished he had accessed it sooner.

This is one of the most important messages from his interview.

Surviving a brain tumour does not mean someone has automatically recovered emotionally from everything that happened.

Psychological support can help people process difficult experiences, adjust to changes and develop ways of managing ongoing challenges.

For Garrett, counselling became an important part of moving forward.

Finding Support From People Who Understand

Throughout his interview, Garrett spoke with gratitude about the people who had supported him.

These included therapists, friends and people involved in support groups.

Having someone willing to listen without judgement made a difference.

He recognised that not everyone understood what it meant to live with the long-term effects of a brain tumour.

Some people struggled to appreciate the impact of seizures or physical disability.

Others did not understand why someone might continue experiencing emotional difficulties years after treatment.

Connecting with supportive people helped Garrett feel more understood.

It also provided reassurance that he did not have to navigate every challenge alone.

Garrett’s Advice for Other Brain Tumour Survivors

Although Garrett’s experiences were unique to him, several important lessons emerged from our conversation.

Ask About Psychological Support

Garrett wished he had received counselling much earlier.

His experience shows why emotional wellbeing deserves attention alongside physical rehabilitation.

Patients and families can ask their medical team or GP about psychological support following diagnosis or treatment.

Recognise That Recovery Can Continue for Years

Some effects of brain tumour treatment become apparent long after surgery.

For Garrett, epilepsy, physical difficulties and emotional challenges continued to influence his life into adulthood.

Recovery is not necessarily a straight line.

People may need different forms of support at different stages of their lives.

Find Activities That Bring You Enjoyment

Garrett found comfort in spending time outdoors and developing his interest in wildlife management.

Hobbies, learning and meaningful activities can provide opportunities for connection and personal development.

They can also help someone build a life that is not centred entirely around their diagnosis.

Find People Who Understand Your Experiences

Living with a rare brain tumour can feel isolating.

Support groups, friendships and professional services can help people feel less alone.

For Garrett, having people who listened and understood was especially important.

What Is a Ganglioglioma?

A ganglioglioma is a rare brain tumour containing both neuronal and glial components.

It can occur in children and adults, although it is frequently diagnosed in younger people.

Many gangliogliomas are low-grade and relatively slow-growing.

They commonly develop in areas of the brain involved in seizure activity, particularly the temporal lobe, although they can occur elsewhere.

What Are the Symptoms of Ganglioglioma?

Symptoms vary depending on the tumour’s size and location.

They may include:

• Seizures
• Persistent headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in movement or coordination
• Weakness or changes in sensation
• Problems with memory or concentration

Seizures are one of the most commonly reported symptoms.

For Garrett, seizures were the warning sign that eventually led to his diagnosis.

How Is Ganglioglioma Treated?

Surgery is often the main treatment when the tumour can be removed safely.

The aim is to remove as much tumour tissue as possible while protecting surrounding healthy brain structures.

For some patients, surgery may also help improve seizure control.

However, removing the entire tumour is not always possible.

If the tumour is close to important neurological structures, surgeons may leave a small amount behind to reduce the risk of permanent damage.

Further monitoring or treatment may be recommended depending on the tumour’s characteristics and individual circumstances.

Garrett’s story illustrates how difficult this balance can be.

His surgical team left approximately 5% of his tumour to avoid causing more serious paralysis, yet he still experienced neurological complications following surgery.

Why Garrett’s Ganglioglioma Story Matters

Garrett’s experiences began in childhood, when episodes initially mistaken for fainting spells eventually led to the discovery of a brain tumour.

He underwent surgery, experienced partial paralysis and needed rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk.

Although his seizures initially stopped, they returned during college.

Years after his original diagnosis, Garrett was still dealing with the effects of epilepsy, physical limitations and difficult experiences involving relationships and employment.

But his story is not only about the challenges.

It is also about the people who supported him, the enjoyment he found in nature and the importance of developing new interests.

Perhaps most importantly, Garrett’s experiences highlight the need to recognise the emotional effects of childhood brain tumour treatment.

For him, counselling became an important part of understanding what had happened and how those experiences continued to affect his life.

Brain tumour survivorship is about more than surviving surgery. It is also about having the support to live with everything that comes afterwards.

Thank you to Garrett Miller for sharing his experiences with Aunty M Brain Tumours and speaking so openly about epilepsy, disability, mental health and the importance of counselling.

His story will be particularly valuable to people who underwent brain tumour treatment as children and are now navigating its long-term effects as adults.

Where to Go After a Ganglioglioma Diagnosis

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a ganglioglioma, these organisations provide information and support.

The Brain Tumour Charity

https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/

Information about brain tumour diagnosis, treatment and the long-term effects of treatment.

Brainstrust

https://brainstrust.org.uk/

Personalised support for people affected by brain tumours and their families.

Brain Tumour Support

https://www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/

Emotional and practical support for people living with a brain tumour.

Epilepsy Action

https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/

Information and support about seizures, epilepsy medication and everyday life with epilepsy.

Epilepsy Society

https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/

Information about epilepsy, treatment and managing seizures.

Your GP or Specialist Team

If you are finding the emotional effects of brain tumour treatment difficult, speak to your GP or neuro-oncology team about counselling, psychological support or neurorehabilitation services.

Medical disclaimer: This article shares Garrett’s experiences and general health information. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional.