Brain cancer…

I had Covid at the end of June 2022. Two weeks later, I developed double vision. I went to an optometrist, who said, “My chart looked alarming, and I should see a neuro-optometrist. He prescribed me a prism and told me to get an MRI if it didn’t improve in three months. With the double vision, I did have dizziness, so I thought maybe it was vertigo and started physical therapy for it. It relieved the dizziness a little bit, but not enough. 

Since everything developed after Covid, it just felt like bad sinuses. I made an appointment with an ENT. He sent me to a neurologist to see what he says. I saw the neurologist, and he was amazed that no one did an MRI after all the specialists I saw. 

I had an MRI and got a call that they found a lesion. I was diagnosed with MS even after having a negative spinal tap. Started steroids for five days. The symptoms didn’t get better, and I was in bed with a headache. I couldn’t get rid of, and I couldn’t keep anything down. Not even water. 

My sister took me to the ER, where they did a CT scan and saw hydrocephalus caused by a blockage. I was admitted and had a surgery to release the hydrocephalus. Then a surgery to remove the tumor. Then another surgery for the shunt. In the meantime, while waiting for the biopsy results, I was diagnosed with cryptococcosis meningitis. You can get it from not washing your fruits and vegetables. Took medicine for three days and talks of transferring me to Washington where they specialize in this. But guess what…misdiagnosed again! Never had meningitis cause the Petri dish didn’t grow fungus. 

Back to square one…what the hell is wrong with me? At this point, I’m in the hospital for a month. Thanksgiving is in like two days. I want to go home. I was able to be with my family for Thanksgiving and found out two days later I had glioblastoma. Although my diagnosis is not what I wanted. I do have answers now as to why I had double vision, dizziness, and nausea. 17 months since diagnosis and many more to come!

Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.