Ollie Cook, 23, dismissed his fatigue and brain fog as he was fit and healthy
A young man attributed his exhaustion and mental cloudiness to examination pressure before finding out what was really going on. Ollie Cook, 23, began experiencing tiredness, cognitive difficulties and loss of muscle mass during his final year reading law at the University of Manchester, but brushed aside these warning signs as he was otherwise physically fit and well.
Following a four-month solo journey across South East Asia, his symptoms continued, yet medical professionals could find no explanation and prescribed physiotherapy exercises. However, 18 months on, Ollie required emergency transportation to Lincoln Hospital after collapsing with an aneurysm, with blood tests revealing a pituitary tumour – a growth that develops in the pituitary gland, which is not technically classified as part of the brain.
He was subsequently transferred to Sheffield Hospital, where surgeons successfully removed the entire tumour along with half of his pituitary gland. Ollie needs no additional treatment and must undergo MRI scans every six months to check for any return of the condition.
Ollie, a law graduate from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, said: “Doctors estimate that the tumour had been growing for a year and a half, which correlated with when my symptoms started. I was suffering from fatigue. I had constant headaches and I found it hard to concentrate.
“Being at university, I had a lot going on and I was not considering that my symptoms could be a result of something more sinister. Things got worse within the year. I noticed that my body was starting to ache and I wasn’t putting on any muscle despite training.”
In December 2023, following his return from a solo adventure, Ollie visited his GP, but the doctor was unable to identify a specific problem and discharged him with physiotherapy exercises.
Ollie recalled: “Eventually, I went to the GP, who couldn’t pinpoint any specific or significant issues at the time, as my symptoms were so general and broad. I knew something was wrong with me, but my pride became self-destructive as it stood in the way of my continuing to seek help. Upon hearing this news from the GP, I had convinced myself that I was in fact fine and I continued to just get on with life.”
Ollie embarked on another journey in February 2025, travelling to Kenya for a three-month legal placement. However, his condition deteriorated – particularly the muscle pain.
“Yet again, I was making amazing memories, but still felt myself become more and more ill,” Ollie explained. “When I returned to the UK, I was in a bad place. The adrenaline had worn off and I no longer had the distractions to cover up the physical and mental distress I was facing.”
In June 2025, shortly after returning to the UK, Ollie suffered an aneurysm at home and was rushed by emergency ambulance to Lincoln Hospital. It was there that medical staff uncovered his tumour.
Ollie said: “After my aneurysm, I was so confused about what was wrong with me. I even told my parents I didn’t care if I was given the worst news – I just wanted answers. I was somewhat relieved when they told me that I had a tumour; finally we knew what was causing me pain for so long.”
Ollie was moved to Sheffield Hospital, where surgeons successfully removed the tumour. He now takes a range of medications – including hormone replacement therapy, painkillers and blood thinners – and needs an MRI scan every six months to check for any signs of the tumour returning.
He said: “The problem was that my symptoms were so broad, nobody could say what was wrong with me. I seemed to be a medical mystery, with various blood tests, scans and hospital visits giving completely different and often conflicting conclusions.
“This uncertainty then became the catalyst for my anxiety, which by this stage made me extremely depressed. I wanted answers and the frustration of not knowing why I was deteriorating, alongside the various miscommunications and delays, meant I was hitting rock bottom. I had given up hope in the healthcare system and subsequently I had given up on thinking I would ever get better.”
Shannon Winslade, head of services at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We’re really grateful to everyone who shares their – often heartbreaking – story to raise awareness. We know that every family deals with a diagnosis and its aftermath in their own unique way.
“That’s why The Brain Tumour Charity offers support to anyone who needs it. It’s so important for them to know that they are not alone.
“You can find out more about our specialist teams by calling our Support and Information Line on 0808 800 0004 or via our website.”
