The thought of brain surgery would leave most people terrified.

TV - City Hospital subject Gemma Sarson at Colchester Institute. (46421-2)

Gemma Sarson not only had two procedures carried out, but they were filmed for national TV.

The 24-year-old has the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis, which has caused a tumour in her brain.

She used to have migraines and when she was 12 she had a shunt put into her brain, which drains excess fluid.

Viewers of City Hospital saw Gemma, of Parade Drive, Dovercourt, go to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

She was trailed by a film crew. She said: "They thought I would be an interesting case. Having a camera follow me around all day was a bit nerve-racking, but after two weeks I got used to it."

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Published Thursday, November 24, 2005

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