After Brain Surgery

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My Step-daughter had brain surgery to remove 85% of a grade 2 brain tumour on 8/12/25.  She made an excellent recovery and has healed well.  But her personality has totally changed.  She's become very irrational in behaviour, repetitive in conversation,  extremely low and can be aggressive in tone/words.  We are all very worried about her but she doesn't see anything wrong and to people outside the family she puts on a happy front showing none of these symptoms.  

No advise has really been offered by her surgeon and his team as he states they went nowhere near the part of her brain that control emotions/actions. 

We feel let down and desperately need to know who to turn to before things get any worse.  She has two children who are noticing a different Mum and we need help.

  • Dear JoW73,

     

    Thank you for getting in touch with us and welcome to our online community. I’m Alison, another one of the cancer information nurses on the support line here at Macmillan.

     

    I’m sorry to hear of your step-daughter’s diagnosis and how the treatment seems to have affected her personality. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you all.

     

    It’s not uncommon for people with brain tumours to experience personality changes. This can be due to the cancer itself, or the treatments used to treat it. Sometimes swelling following surgery or radiotherapy can also impact someone’s personality. Occasionally, supportive medications like steroids, can also affect behaviour and personality.

     

    The Brain Tumour Charity offer some advice and guidance around helping a loved one who is experiencing personality changes. They also have a support line and online community. It can sometimes be helpful talking to others who have been through something similar. You can also find support local to you through the Brainstrust hub.

     

    I’m sorry that you don’t seem to be getting support from her team at the hospital. However, if you don’t see any improvement in her, or feel things are getting worse, then it’s important that you get in touch with them. If you’re struggling to speak to them, try contacting the hospital PALS team who can help get you the help you need.

     

    Watching someone you love go through this can be really difficult, and so it’s important you look after yourself too. We have some information about emotional support for family and friends, but it might also help to talk this through some more with one of our nurses. Please don't hesitate to get back in touch with us. We would be more than happy to discuss it and answer any other questions or concerns you may have. You can call our support line, email or use our online forums.

     

    Best wishes

     

    Alison P

    Cancer Information Nurse

    Our ref: AP/HK

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