Life After a Rare Brain Tumour and Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome: Awake Behind Closed Eyes

This book offers a personal insight into the experience of Alex Jelly, a professional fundraiser who developed a rare brain tumour, a papillary meningioma, which was successfully removed. She was left with Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome and associated problems including motor and speech impairments and a temporary psychosis. Discussing Alex’s struggles and triumphs throughout her rehabilitation, this book offers an honest account of her journey from diagnosis to recovery.

Part I introduces Alex’s early life and employment, symptom onset and diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Part II presents her neurosurgeon, Adel Helmy, and a clinical neuropsychologist, Barbara A. Wilson. Adel provides a medical context by explaining Alex’s successful surgery and her post-operative experience. Finally, Barbara concludes with a comprehensive view of Alex’s recovery and gives a voice to the therapists and psychologists who worked with Alex throughout her in and outpatient rehabilitation journey.

This book provides support, understanding and hope for patients who have suffered a brain tumour, and their families. It is valuable reading for any professional involved in neurorehabilitation, studemts of clinical neuropsychology and those touched by brain injury.

Alex Jelly was a professional fundraiser for charities for many years in London and then a fundraising consultant for UK and international charities. In the summer of 2016 she started to feel odd and that led to the brain tumour, which has in turn led to this book.

Barbara A. Wilson is a clinical neuropsychologist who has worked in brain injury rehabilitation for 42 years. She has won many awards for her work, including an OBE for services to rehabilitation and five lifetime achievement awards.

Adel Helmy is a University Lecturer in the Division of Neurosurgery, University of Cambridge, and an Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.