A woman who was given a five per cent chance of survival after a brain tumour was found when she was just 18 years old has now been told that it has returned – 10 years later. Lauren Papadopoulos Green went for her ‘final MRI after 10 years of scans’ at the age of 29 only to be told the tumour that had been removed a decade before was back again.
The 29-year-old had been having MRI scans due to a resected Schwannoma brain tumour which she was diagnosed with in 2013 when she was just 18.“Eleven years ago, I was told I had a 5% chance of surviving my brain tumour and had to learn how to use my arms and how to walk again, at the age of just 18.” said Lauren, from Surrey.
She never expected to find herself in the same situation 10 years later. However, on the day of her diagnosis her radiologist mumbled “I thought this was going to be a quick and easy appointment for me, I guess not.”
“Completely distraught and confused” Lauren sat in her MRI appointment, where the radiologist said, “your MRI in September shows that your brain tumour has grown back, however it seems ok for now and we’ll see you again in two years.” Lauren said, “and that was it they didn’t speak to me after that.”
Four months later Lauren got a letter through the door with the results of the MRI telling her the tumour was growing bigger, but no other results or care plan.
“I hate when people say no news is good news because it absolutely isn’t when you’re living with a diagnosis. Considering it took them four months to tell me that tumour had grown back, every day that goes by and I haven’t received my results yet is torture. I don’t think people realise the mental load if they’ve not been through it themselves.”
The growth of a brain tumour can cause pressure inside your head, creating headaches, nausea, and drowsiness, all symptoms Lauren was experiencing at the time. However, she was receiving no care and “lost trust” in her hospital. “I really don’t trust my hospital anymore, so when I realised, I hadn’t received my results yet, I actually wasn’t even surprised, but of course I hadn’t!” She was told to contact them if anything came up but was not given any contact details for the hospital, or the name of her new consultant.
“I did feel lucky and hopeful in the fact I literally had another MRI the week I realised I hadn’t got my results, so I thought, well at least I’ll get the next one’s – well hopefully anyway!”
Her hospital transferred her care to a new hospital without any warning. “My new hospital is great; the new communication is so much better, and I really feel seen and understood there.” Lauren now receives her results.
She added: “A week after my most recent MRI, they’d already told me when my next appointment is, which was absolutely unheard of with my other hospital.
“My advice would be it’s okay to feel however you feel and if something doesn’t seem right in yourself, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise and keep pushing and fighting for answers.”