Brunner (Betroffener und Angehöriger, Partner)

At the age of 29, Mr. Brunner was diagnosed with a slow-growing brain tumor, which generally has a good prognosis following surgical removal. Looking back, he had already been suffering from epileptic seizures for several years, which had frequently manifested as brief “absences.” These absences were likely caused by the tumor. On the recommendation of his treatment team, he decided to undergo surgical removal of the tumor. Complications arose during the procedure: surgery-related vascular damage led to a severe stroke.

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Workload, cognitive difficulties and lack of support

Mr Brunner worked as a nursing assistant in a hospital ward. After just half a day’s work, he was so exhausted that all he could do afterwards was sleep. In addition, he found it difficult to carry out even routine tasks reliably. Tasks such as making phone calls were difficult for him, as he was unable to remember dates and names sufficiently. Although he spoke openly about these problems, he received no support from his employer at the time. Consequently, he was unable to continue in the role in the long term.

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Half a day, yes. Because that was my big problem, apart from my memory – the tiredness. I got exhausted incredibly quickly. I worked [as a nursing assistant in the hospital], starting at 7 am until 11.30 am, and afterwards I went home and slept a lot. So it’s like a sort of – well, that’s how I made up for it afterwards. But with the stress, everything just got worse and worse – more and more, yes. I tried to sort it out afterwards with a neuropsychologist and also with the IV, who were supposed to help me find a job where it worked for both sides – for the employer and for me – so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. And I sought contact more and more, but that wasn’t really the case – the employer just had criticism, had – had – wanted more and more and wasn’t really responding to me anymore, I mean – to my problems. I cried out for help: ‘Yes, I can’t do that, that – it’s no use if I have the phone, if I forget the names; I just can’t remember names, things told to me off the cuff – dates, illnesses, names – I can’t remember them It always takes an age to get it into my head, and I just couldn’t manage that. And being on my own in a ward – especially as I’m – I was a care assistant, yes, and yet they expected almost too much of me.

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Epilepsy as a warning sign of a brain tumour

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