A woman has told how she was diagnosed with a brain tumor after her symptoms were attributed to migraines.
Natalie McKenna-Mounty, from Ramsgate in Kent, suffered severe headaches for three days in April 2020, shortly after the UK introduced its first Covid lockdown.
The 47-year-old visited her GP, who said she was probably suffering from migraines.
However, she went to the hospital soon after because she couldn’t speak and her mouth was hanging, believing she had a stroke.
Scans revealed she had glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain tumor.
Natalie McKenna-Mounty, 47, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2020 after suffering a stroke
Ms McKenna-Mounty said: “I had a bad headache for about three days and then felt like I had a stroke.”
“I couldn’t speak and my mouth was hanging open.”
“I was taken to hospital, scanned and diagnosed with glioblastoma. “Since it all happened during lockdown, I was alone when I heard the news.”
After the diagnosis, seeHe underwent surgery at King’s College Hospital in London and removed 70 percent of her tumor.
Six weeks later, she began a six-week program of radiotherapy, followed by six months of chemotherapy.
The tumor remained stable for three years.
After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor, it eventually grew back. Now she is investigating several clinical trials to support her treatment
However, her health deteriorated in June 2023 when the tumor started to grow again.
She underwent surgery to remove the tumor in August, but surgeons were unable to completely remove the tumor due to its difficult location.
Mrs. McKenna-Mounty does Now consider participating in a clinical trial in hopes of beating cancer.
Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year in the UK and 12,000 in the US.
Headaches, seizures, nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision and personality changes are the main symptoms. This is caused by the tumor increasing pressure in the skull as it grows.
Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are standard treatments.
According to The Brain Tumor Charity, life expectancy after a diagnosis of glioblastoma can be as little as 12 to 18 months and in many cases it will recur even after treatment.
Ms McKenna-Mounty said the recurrence of her tumor left her unable to work, drive or travel abroad as she quickly lost concentration and became tired.
“My life has changed dramatically,” she said.
Since her diagnosis, Ms McKenna-Mounty has required constant support and found social situations more difficult.
She said: “I find it difficult to do all the things I used to do – for example going to places that were normal before I got sick, like the cinema, the pub or the gym.”
“Some social situations are difficult for me.” “I lost my independence and now have to accept help from other people.”
Ms McKenna-Mounty (right) and her mother (left) both have Carpe Diem tattooed on their wrists, reminding them to stay positive and live in the moment
But since the second operation to remove her tumor, she has learned to “calm down” and take it easy.
She said: “I had to teach myself to be mindful of my body, to deal with stress – to accept the changes in my life and to make them positive and not negative.”
“I had to learn to slow down, put the past behind me and seize the day – carpe diem.”
Ms. McKenna Mounty said: “Brain tumor research is not as well funded as other cancers.” A higher profile is required.
“There needs to be more treatment options for people like me because right now there is no cure, so I make the most of each day.”
Dr Spencer Watson, principal investigator of the Brain Tumor Charity Junior Fellows, said: “The diagnosis of glioblastoma is the most devastating diagnosis, and brain tumors are perhaps the most difficult group of tumors to study and treat.”
“This research opens up new opportunities for us to find new and better treatments – and that’s very exciting.”
“Knowing that scarring caused by treatment of glioblastoma can support the survival of tumor cells gives us a new direction for the development of new treatments.”
“It will take time to understand the mechanisms and use them, so we are also looking at ways to improve current treatments so that they benefit more quickly the people who need them most.”
“We are learning how to use the negative side effects of very effective cancer treatments to enhance the benefits people can get from their brain tumor treatment.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
