Brain tumours in teenagers.

Here is my story: 

So,

as some of you know, in the last year I've been diagnosed with a Type 2 meningioma.I found out about my diagnosis early last year on February the 20th of 2023 and since then I have had: a couple dozen scans, a crainotomy alongside a biopsy and radiostatic gamma knife surgery (radiotherapy).

I was struggling with severe headaches for a couple of months so I went for a eye test. The results from this eye test were positive so a reason for my headaches could not be created. I was then referred for a hospital consultancy to look further into why I was having these symptoms. Following on from this appointment I had a mri which soon highlighted a tumor in the middle of the two hemispheres of my brain. I was 16 at the time I received this news and it was a shock to my family, friends and I. 

From this, I was called into hospital for immediate testing to ensure my safety. From these tests nothing major was highlighted. However, as months past and I had several other mri scans, it was brought to the hospitals attention that my tumor was growing. Thought it was not spreading it was growing at a fairly alarming rate. The decision was then made to have a biopsy alongside a crainotomy. This surgery would decipher whether or nothing my tumor was cancerous. 

I had my surgery on the 2nd of January 2024. Thankfully my surgery went well and I made a quick recovery as well as this, we received the news that my tumor was not cancerous. 

Although my tumor is not cancerous. The decision was made to start a round of radiostatic gamma knife surgery to try and shrink the rest of the tumor that was not removed during my surgery. 

I had my radiostatic gamma knife surgery on the 21st of February. This process also went well and my journey battling this now continues. 

We will not know if the radiotherapy is working until 6 months time due to the excessive amount of radiotherapy making me unable to have a mri scan with contrast. 

I have decided to shave the remaining of my hair on Tuesday the 12th Of March 2034 to raise awareness of the type of tumor I have and make a difference to those suffering with a similar diagnosis to mine or cancer. As well, take control over the fact that I am losing hair due to the treatment i have had. I would highly appreciate any donations that could be made to the link below. (If you are in the position to do so) 

Ellie Coulter.