'I'd love to drive buses again after my brain op'

Melissa Steers had to give up her job of 20 years as a bus driver when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour

A bus driver has spoken of her determination to get back behind the wheel after undergoing pioneering brain surgery.

Melissa Steers, 55, was forced to give up her job after being diagnosed with a benign meningioma in December 2024.

But, after becoming one of the first patients in the UK to be discharged on the same day as having an operation to remove the growth, she is keen to get back to her old career.

The mother-of-three said: "I loved my job, it's the freedom of just being out on the bus on your own."

Ms Steers underwent a four-hour operation at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital in August.

Typically after the procedure, which involves removing a small part of the skull to reach and remove the tumour, patients would spend two to four days in hospital.

But, Ms Steers, from Rotherham, said she was back home exactly 12 hours after having her surgery.

She said it was "like I've never had a brain tumour" and the only remaining pain was having to say goodbye to her 20-year career as a bus driver.

"I think it hit me harder losing my job than the brain tumour," she said,

"I love being a bus driver, so it just felt like my whole world had fell apart."

Ms Steers, who worked for First Bus in South Yorkshire, said she remembered the moment she realised she would have to give up her job.

"I was getting like pulsating in my head when I was driving," she said.

"Just a bit like headaches, coming and going, and I thought this is not right, but because I did regular mornings I thought it might because I was tired or fatigued.

"[But] I got it checked out and it was a brain tumour."

Ms Steers underwent surgery to remove the tumour in August

Ms Steers' surgery was led by consultant neurosurgeon Veejay Bagga and was the first time a patient undergoing this type of complex brain surgery had successfully been discharged the same day as their operation at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The only other centre in the UK known to have achieved this feat is in Southampton, according to the hospital.

Mr Bagga said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

"Removing even the simplest of tumours in and around the brain has risks, but everything went as planned and there were no complications.

"The tumour was in a favourable position and Michelle was fit and well going into the surgery, meaning that with the right support and counselling both before and after surgery we were able to mobilise her early and get her home on the same day."

The four-hour operation was led by consultant neurosurgeon Mr Veejay Bagga (second from left)

Since having the operation Ms Steers said she was feeling "brilliant" and was hoping to find work again.

"I'm back to normal now, I've had no pain and I'm building up my strength again," she said

"It's like I've never had a brain tumour – I can't even see the scar, it's so tiny, and they didn't even have to shave my head due to the surgical technique they used.

"The operation was fantastic – it was like having a tooth pulled. I'm so grateful to the team."

She said she had been enjoying spending more time with her four grandchildren since the operation and was hoping to get her driving licence back in 2026, with a view to one day returning to life on the buses.

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