Alex Arkell, a 16-year-old from Stirling, experienced a terrifying medical journey after a trip to the doctor for stomach pain led to the discovery of a rare brain tumour. The tumour caused her ovaries to grow dramatically and threatened her vision. Alex underwent emergency surgery, faced complications, and endured a five-week course of proton beam therapy. Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic and raises funds for Rays of Sunshine, a charity that supports seriously ill children.
Teenager Alex Arkell's trip to the doctor for a bloated and painful stomach led to a harrowing discovery that took everyone by surprise.
She recounted the unforgettable moment of truth: "I'll never forget the room I was waiting in with my mum, filled up with consultants and they told me, 'We thought you had ovarian cancer but it's actually a benign brain tumour and we need to operate urgently before you lose your eyesight, and your cysts burst", reports the Mirror.
This experience resulted in PTSD, accompanied by panic attacks and flashbacks, causing her to miss almost an entire year of school and exams due to recovery. The battle continued 13 months on, as she was informed of the necessity for another emergency surgery because the re-grown tumour threatened her optic nerve.
In December, Alex was hit with more devastating news as she was sadly informed that the radiotherapy was unsuccessful and that she needed a third surgery. "After getting over the complete shock of the sudden news. I stayed in the moment, reassured myself and used the skills I have learnt over the last few years, remembering, 'This too shall pass'. I began to feel the mentally strongest I had ever felt, I felt ready", she expressed.
BRAINTUMOUR SURGERY TEENAGER RESILIENCE HEALTH
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