Teen’s ‘Hangover’ Is Actually An Incurable Brain Tumor And Has 12 Months To Live
Nineteen-year-old Ella Pick from Boston found out that what she thought was a hangover turned out to be an incurable and inoperable brain tumor.
After returning home from a four-week trip to Zante with her pals last June, Pick started feeling off and thought it could just be a hangover. However, she also started experiencing severe migraines and "awful" pressure in the back of her head, according to The Sun.
"We were all having the best time. Then I didn't exactly feel ill, I just didn't feel myself. I wasn't drinking as much or going out as much. I thought maybe it could be a hangover. I just felt off. Now I look back and think I clearly wasn't well," she recalled.
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Shortly after, her left eye began to drift inwards, prompting her to have an eye test. However, the local optician referred her to the hospital because it was "a major concern."
According to the NHS, common symptoms of brain tumors include headaches, vision or speech problems, persistently feeling sick, seizures, progressive weakness and mental or behavioral changes.
In Ella's case, while she experienced migraines and vision problems, it was reportedly not clear if these were related to the tumor the doctors later found in her brain after a CT scan and MRI. Her brain tumor was identified as a diffuse midline glioma that leaves her with an estimated 12 months to live.
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The condition refers to a primary central nervous system tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord. Primary CNS tumors are malignant (cancerous) and fast-growing, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Because of the diagnosis Ella received in July last year, the trajectory of her life changed. She said she even had to turn down an interview for her dream job -- working as a British Airways cabin crew.
"I just felt completely numb. It still doesn't feel real. Everyone else around me is hurting more than I am," she said of her situation.
Right now, she said she's just making the most of whatever time she has left, making memories with her friends and family. She also underwent a six-course radiotherapy last year to slow down the progression of her tumor.
"I've gone to work and would just rather go on with life as normal. I've been on a few holidays with my family. We're just trying to make the most of the time we have," she added.
Her latest scan reportedly revealed that her brain tumor was stable and not progressing as a result of radiotherapy.
While the tumor did not grow, Ella admitted that she was open to trying anything to increase her chances of living.
"There [are] always different trials with different drugs. I'd be willing to try anything," she said.
