A woman who thought her sudden symptoms were due to a sinus infection has revealed that it was actually a “large strawberry-sized” brain tumour.
When Mel Kelly started experiencing frequent headaches, coupled with a pulsating sensation, she assumed her body was simply dehydrated – but then, her health took a speedy turn for the worst.
The 23-year-old visited her local opticians and doctors, who she claims diagnosed her with a sinus infection, and later, migraines, along with prescribing antibiotics and other medication.
But only two days later, she found herself unable to get out of bed with vision loss and a few months on, searing pain behind her right ear, which caused the hospitality worker to “blackout.”
In a bid to find the root cause, she got a second opinion from another doctor, who told her to get to hospital immediately as an optometrist had found a “large strawberry-sized” brain tumour.
“I knew I hadn’t been well for what felt like a lifetime at this point,” Mel, from New Ferry, Wirral, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“I felt relieved to finally get some answers, it was like a weight had been lifted.
“I remember hearing those first words: ‘There’s no easy way to tell you this, I’m sorry to say you’ve got a brain tumour and there’s an ambulance waiting outside to take you to a specialist neurology centre.’
“My first thought was that I didn’t want to die and that day will haunt me for the rest of my life.
“I think, until you get told those words, no one will understand or be able to describe how it feels.”
Prior to falling ill, Mel claims she was the “picture of health” and had never been admitted to hospital before.
In September 2022, she began experiencing the aforementioned headaches and initially thought it was due to her diet, so cut out sugar, stopped drinking alcohol and began eating better.
With her condition worsening, she researched her symptoms and had an inkling that she had a brain tumour – which her friends allegedly called her “crazy” for believing.
Then, after her vision began deteriorating, the former primary school sports coach began fearing the worst.
She said: “I was scared, as I had no idea what was going on in my body and I just adapted to it.
“Unfortunately, it became the new everyday norm to wake up with a pounding headache and go to bed feeling exactly the same – if not worse.
“It was terrifying because I didn’t know the full extent of what was happening in my body.
“I just carried on as normal.”
Mel, who still didn’t think there was anything drastically wrong, decided to take a trip to Lanzarote to get a “much-needed” break – but the post-holiday blues were amped up on her return.
Five days after coming home and being rushed to hospital, she underwent “gruelling” surgery to remove 95% of the tumour.
Luckily, two months later, it was confirmed to be a benign tumour, but the whole ordeal has turned her life “upside down.”
Mel said: “I had to defer my fourth year at university, I lost my job, moved back home and I’ve had to surrender my driving licence.
“I’ve even had to sell my car, my little bit of independence, leaving my mental health deteriorating.
“Some people think that because I had surgery eight months ago, I must be fine now.
“But they don’t realise that this is only the tip of the iceberg – it’s everything else that comes with it too.”
Currently, she’s still experiencing mild vision loss, headaches and sensitivity to light, but is on the road to recovery.
In a bid to give back to those who have helped her, she’s fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity, Teenage Cancer Trust and Move; Against Cancer, abseiling and trekking the Yorkshire Three Peaks – raising £7,974 so far.
Mel is hoping to raise awareness with her story and that cancer, as well as tumours, can affect anyone of any age.
She added: “These things happen every day to ordinary people.
“For me, since my diagnosis, nothing has been and ever will be, the same again.
“I now have to live my life and adapt to this being my new normal.
“I will forever be grateful to the NHS, as they saved my life.
“Keep smiling, never lose hope and always find something to enjoy.
“During those dark times, it’s the simple pleasures that can really make a difference.
“Most importantly, nobody knows you better than you – if something doesn’t feel right, get help before it’s too late.”
