Tina Rushton underwent life-changing neurosurgery at Good Hope Hospital
A hospital worker from Birmingham has sent an emotional thank you to medics on the anniversary of them “giving her the rest of her life”.
Tina Rushton, who is a catering assistant based at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, had life-changing neurosurgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital 10 years ago.
And such was the speed of the grandmother of two’s recovery, she was even dubbed ‘Wonder Woman’ by her doctors.
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The surgery also influenced her choice in working for the NHS as she wanted to give something back for what they gave her.
She was reminded of her treatment following the second series of TV ratings smash ‘Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death’ which was aired on Channel 5 earlier this year.
The season was set in University Hospitals Birmingham and brought back memories of her own ‘miracle’ surgery.
Already living with pain, fatigue and facial swelling caused by fibrosis dysplasia, Tina was found to have a 5cm tumour within her meninges, the layers of tissue which protect the brain, which left untreated would leave her paralysed.
She went under the knife in 2015, with skilful neurosurgeons carefully removing the tumour via keyhole surgery.
Amazingly, Tina was awake and playing with her granddaughter on the ward less than two hours later.
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Tina, who lives in Perry Barr, said: “I am still amazed at how the surgeons can distinguish one layer of brain tissue from another during the operation.
“Once of out theatre, the doctors called me Wonder Woman as they couldn’t believe how quickly I recovered.
“I guess I don’t stop and I always try to move forward with life – within 10 months of my operation, I was working at Good Hope!”
Having her operation proved to be a turning point for Tina, who was a mature student studying forensic science at the University of Wolverhampton at the time.
She added: “I wanted to give something back to the NHS, and make a little bit of a difference.
“In 2016, I saw a catering job advertised and with my previous career as a dinner lady, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me.
“I have 40 per cent deficiency down my left side, but I have found ways to compensate and make things work for me.”
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When she’s not working in the coffee shops in the Emergency Department or the Richard Salt Unit, Tina loves spending time reading, being with her family, and going on sunny holidays.
She said: “I love my job as it’s my way of contributing – even if it’s just a coffee and a smile.
“During the pandemic, I worked on the wards at Good Hope delivering inpatient meals which was quite a scary experience.
“Now I’m back in the café and I enjoy empathising with our customers; they tell you their problems and you build relationships with them, especially patients and visitors who have been at the hospital a while.”
And, as a message to the surgeons who gave her a new lease of life, she said: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the rest of my life.
“I had complete confidence in your skills, and I will always be grateful.”
