A social media influencer owes her life to her mum’s keen observation of four symptoms that showed she had a brain tumour.
Victoria Vesce, a former NBA Charlotte Hornets cheerleader and current social media influencer, initially overlooked tell-tale signs until her mother pointed out her extreme fatigue, imbalance, a flushed appearance, and hearing difficulties.
In an interview with Reach PLC, she opened up about the critical role her mother played in her diagnosis, saying: “My mum had an intuition that something wasn’t right with me. She noticed I was more fatigued than usual, and my energy levels didn’t match my normally vibrant personality.”
Going into detail about her mum’s observations, she added: “There were subtle changes in my demeanour and appearance – things only a mother could spot. She kept urging me to see a doctor, even though I tried to downplay what I was feeling.”
Highlighting the less obvious indications, Victoria said: “She noticed I was more tired than usual, often looking flushed and not like myself. She saw that I was unsteady on my feet at times and struggling to hear clearly, especially in one ear.”
Victoria was experiencing persistent headaches, dizziness, and hearing complications that she had attributed to stress or exhaustion due to her busy lifestyle, which included her demanding career and active travel schedule. However, these were signs that her health was in jeopardy, reports Surrey Live.
Her mother’s instinct proved crucial when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017, leading to a gruelling operation that involved removing part of her skull. She also endured 30 sessions of pioneering radiation therapy.
Triumphing over her non-cancerous multiple paragangliomas diagnosis, she now uses her 273,000-strong Instagram following to urge others to pursue health screenings. Sharing advice with our readers, she emphasised: “Trust your body and don’t ignore the signs it’s giving you. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice – even if you think it’s minor.
“Early detection can save lives, and being proactive about your health is never overreacting. You know yourself better than anyone, so listen to those instincts.”
Victoria, who has since ventured into social media marketing with her Victoria Vesce agency, reflected on how the ordeal underscored the importance of supportive relationships.
She frequently speaks on the invaluable nature of health and expresses eternal gratitude towards her mother for her timely intervention. However, in a heartbreaking turn, she lost her mother unexpectedly during the Covid-19 pandemic without the opportunity for a final farewell.
The former law clerk and Sports Illustrated model shared her deep appreciation, saying: “Words can’t describe how thankful I am to my mum.
“I miss her every single day. She didn’t just give me life – she saved it when I couldn’t see the danger myself.
“Her love and intuition were gifts I’ll carry with me forever. Losing her made me realise just how much she sacrificed and how deeply she cared, even when I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time.”
What the NHS says
The NHS offers a range of advice around brain tumours on its website
They suggest visiting your GP if you have any of the following symptoms:
- headaches that feel different or worse than normal ones
- seizures (fits)
- persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- vision or speech problems