A DUDLEY woman who was two weeks from paralysis after waiting five years to be diagnosed with a brain tumour has found love and a new lease of life.

Chelsea Yeomans, aged 24, is planning her upcoming wedding to fiancé Michael Billingham and has also recently become an ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity where she raises awareness of tumours.

Both are experiences Chelsea could never have imagined when an undiagnosed brain tumour left her two weeks away from paralysis aged only 19.

Chelsea began suffering from crippling headaches aged 14 when starting her GCSE's. At the time her health issues were dismissed as exam stress.

She was initially diagnosed with anaemia, but Chelsea knew there was was something seriously wrong.

Chelsea said: "I felt very low and upset because no one seemed to believe me – it felt like no one was listening."

In September 2014 Chelsea was rushed to Russells Hall Hospital after being violently sick, where a CT scan revealed a 6cm mass on her brain.

“I was told I was two weeks away from paralysis from the waist down as the tumour was pressing on my spinal cord.”, Chelsea said.

The brave 19-year-old then had to learn to walk again and could not work for six months.

Despite overcoming a brain tumour, Chelsea felt she would never find love.

She said: "I had no confidence and was convinced no one would be interested in me as soon as I told them I had a brain tumour.

“Why would anyone take the risk of getting involved with me in case I got ill again? I was also terribly self-conscious about my scars.

“I was convinced I was never going to have anyone in my life or experience getting married and having children.”

That changed when she met Michael- the pair went on their first date at Nandos in Dudley and the pair now live in Kingswinford and will be tying the knot in Stourbridge on September 5 before going on a three-week honeymoon in Florida.

Now Chelsea is determined to make the most of life and has been inspired to share her experiences as a Young Ambassador with The Brain Tumour Charity where she works to highlight possible brain tumour symptoms through the Headsmart campaign.

Through the campaign she meets up with other young people who live with brain tumours to share experiences and advice.

Chelsea explained: “I felt anxious about going as it was my first meet-up and a big step for me to share what I’d been through with other people.

“But it was so helpful talking to others my age who are facing similar challenges.

“I want to do my bit to help others – and I’d urge people to go to the meet-ups with an open mind and heart – as you get so much out of it.”

Chelsea added: “Although it took me years to get diagnosed, I count myself as one of the lucky ones.

“And I feel blessed to have found someone so special to share my life with.

“Everything I’ve been through has made me stronger and now I feel I can take on anything – with Michael at my side.”

Emma Wood, The Brain Tumour Charity’s young adults service manager, said: “We are very grateful to Chelsea for sharing her story to raise awareness about brain tumours – the biggest cancer killer of children and under-40s in the UK – particularly as, on average, teenagers take longer to be diagnosed because symptoms like headaches and mood swings are often mistaken for exam stress and puberty.

“We feel privileged to have her as one of our Young Ambassadors and wish her and Michael every happiness in their future together.”