A resource site for those that have suffered brain injury and those that care for them
11 Dec 2008: Hazel's funeral in Milton Keynes.
23 Nov 2008: After a couple of weeks stability, Hazel dies after a sharp period of deterioration.
10 Oct 2008: Steroid experiment fails and dose returned to lower level.
08 Oct 2008: Hospice doctor raises steroids to address deterioration.
06 Oct 2008: Informed by the neurologist that the tumour is progressing again, and is likely to be golf ball sized. Deterioration is likely to be terminal.
24 Sep 2008: Follow up MRI scan at Milton Keynes hospital following neurology appointment, and a marked decline in Hazel's health and general condition.
18 Sep 2008: Appointment with the neurologist in Milton Keynes.
24 Jul 2008: Review meeting at Mallard House
20 Apr 2008: Hazel struggles with pleuritic symptoms, but ultimately overcomes this.
21 Jan 2008: Neuropsychiatrist confirms that Hazel is entering the 'end stages' of her life.
31 Dec 2007: Hazel's condition and stability in the home takes a significant downturn.
19 Sep 2007: Switch from rehabilitation to palliative care
07 Sep 2007: Suffers fall at Mallard House
21 Aug 2007: Hazel leaves hospital after 83 days, moving to Mallard House
15 Aug 2007: Hazel contracts bacterial meningitis
08 Aug 2007: Hazel suffers 8 hour seizure episode
01 Aug 2007: Do I Know You website redesigned
31 May 2007: Hazel admitted to hospital
07 Mar 2007: BBC Radio 4 interview
03 Mar 2007: Psychologies magazine interview
02 Mar 2007: Photo shoot for Psychologies magazine
06 Feb 2007: Daily social care commences
11 Jan 2007: Suffers a grand mal seizure and admitted to Milton Keynes hospital
31 Dec 2006: Shelby returned to Dogs Trust
06 Dec 2006: Social Services and Brain Injury Co-ordinator involved for the first time.
30 Sep 2006: Ill health retirement confirmed
15 Sep 2006: Shelby, the new dog, comes home.
04 Sep 2006: Centreparcs holiday in Nottingham
18 Aug 2006: 11th Wedding anniversary in Swanage
07 Aug 2006: Dr. Wimalaratna, planned routine appointment. Hazel was told by him for the second time that the memory loss was down to Hazel's own anxiety.
07 Aug 2006: First contact with Prospect Day Hospice
01 Aug 2006: Do I Know You website launched
23 Jul 2006: Hazel's close friend, Sharon, dies
05 Jun 2006: Holiday in Brixham
12 May 2006: Dr. Blesing, planned routine appointment
08 May 2006: Rose, the dog, dies
13 Mar 2006: Hazel registered as sight impaired
09 Mar 2006: First Headway session
07 Feb 2006: First and only appearance at Blind Association Craft Club. Won the raffle.
06 Feb 2006: Hazel finds Headway


03 Jun 2009 - I received confirmation yesterday that Hazel's dedication at the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon has been put in place. You can see photos in the media section, and read more on the blog. The Donkey Sanctuary is open 365 days a year and you can visit it ay any time.

24 Mar 2009 - I have added some new photos of Hazel into the 'Meet Hazel' section. Some of them are rather large in scale, so I hope you're able to view them okay.

01 Mar 2009 - Blog updated. UPDATED on the 2nd March with photos.

28 Feb 2009 - Hazel's ashes will today be scattered in the Field of Dreams, at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon. A plaque will be placed in the Russell Memorial Garden at the sanctuary in the coming weeks.


27 Feb 2009 - NOTE: THIS WILL NOT NOW BE ADDED. I have added Hazel's story to the media section of the website. Hazel was writing her own story for a long time whilst she was being supported. She started writing it at Headway and continued through Prospect Hospice up to the point where she went into hospital in May 2007. They're all her own words.

Welcome to Hazel's website.
Hazel suffered a brain tumour in 2000, and had surgery on it in 2005, followed by radiotherapy. However, the surgery and treatment left Hazel with limited short term memory and visual impairment.

As a result of this, Hazel had to give up her hectic full time work as a teacher. For a long time, Hazel had to try to fill the days unable to read, visit the cinema or theatre, watch television. She couldn't remember what she did the previous day, and didn't have the confidence and self belief to relearn and adjust to a completely new set of circumstances that have struck her before she turns forty.

She began to greet everyone by asking,
'do I know you?'.

Hazel's condition deteriorated through 2007 and 2008 to a point where she needed constant care and support in a safe environment. This site was developed to give information to those close to Hazel, those who knew her and came across her, but also to try to pass on the things we'd learnt to those who find themselves similarly affected.

Hazel died in November 2008. She was 40.