A woman was diagnosed with a lemon-sized brain tumour, which had been growing for 20 years, after forgetting her own daughter.
Nurse Sorrall Dovey experienced symptoms such as migraines, numbness in her eye and pain in her neck.
She then began to suffer from memory problems, mistaking her 24-year-old daughter Morgan as her sister Frances.
The cancer was originally diagnosed in 2012 after doctors spotted a lemon-sized tumour behind her left eye.
Doctors said the eight-centimetre mass had likely been growing for two decades.
Morgan said: “Mum had terrible migraines that would leave her bedridden for days.
“She also experienced numbness in her right eye and hand, and pain in her neck.
“The symptoms progressed to memory problems. She began calling me ‘Frances’ – the name of her sister.
“She would also mix up words for common objects and forget other words entirely.”
The symptoms made Sorrall’s job as a nurse incredibly difficult as she would often experience “an awful numbing headache” where she “couldn’t move, see or breathe” – forcing her to retire.
After having it removed, the tumour returned four years later in 2016 and Sorrall, now 52, was given four years to live.
Morgan, from Sheffield, said: “It was a devastating blow.
“We knew there was a high possibility of it returning, but we didn’t think it would happen so quickly.
“Mum bravely had treatment in 2017, and there have been no signs of growth since.
“She has now surpassed the four-year prognosis we were given post-treatment and defied all odds – she’s an inspiration to me.”
Despite recovering well, Sorrall has persistent memory problems and often cannot remember the words for everyday objects.
“Her brain tumour diagnosis has had a huge impact on her confidence,” Morgan said.
“She struggles to use technology like mobile phones, and this can cause her a great deal of stress and panic, but my brother and I are usually on hand to help her with this type of problem.”
In September, Morgan ran the Sheffield 10k to help raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.
Sorrall said: “There is a lot more research needed – especially surrounding what causes brain tumours.
“When people have head problems they should be scanned sooner, so they don’t have such a big operation initially, like I did.”
To donate visit justgiving.com/page/morgan-rycroft-1690563415815.
Common symptoms of a brain tumour include:
Headaches
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.
If you experience symptoms you should speak to a doctor.
Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com
