The Unimaginable Diagnosis: A Young Woman’s Health Nightmare

A young woman, aged 22, was diagnosed with cancer after she visited the hospital for persistent headaches and eye strain.

0
72

According to Express, 22-year-old Rachael Burns began noticing changes in her vision after giving birth to her daughter, Raeya, who is now one year old. She had been suffering from migraines for years but avoided seeking medical help. It was only when the pain became unbearable and was accompanied by eye strain that the young mother decided to consult a doctor.

Rachael was diagnosed with dry eye and given medication. However, her condition worsened to the point where she couldn’t open one of her eyes, and her face became lopsided. She was then rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

An MRI scan revealed the presence of a high-grade cancerous tumor – diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – that had spread down her spine. Rachael was given the devastating news that she only had a few months left to live.

Rachael Burns with her family. Image: Express

Speaking to Express, an emotional Rachael said, “When I was told I had a brain tumor, my world fell apart. I was told the average lifespan for someone with my condition is 12 months, and I’ve already had symptoms for eight months. I’m hoping to live for at least one or two years.”

Rachael first noticed her symptoms in March 2023 and has been bedridden for days at a time to reduce the pressure in her head.

Due to the tumor’s location in Rachael’s brain stem, surgery is not an option. Louise Aubrey, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented, “It is a tragedy that a young mother like Rachael cannot access the best drugs and treatments available in the UK and instead has to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for the chance to spend more time with her daughter.”

She warned, “Brain tumors kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. This is unacceptable. More must be done to stop families like Rachael’s from being torn apart by this destructive disease.”

Frequently asked questions

The article tells the story of a young woman, Sarah, who experienced a mysterious and debilitating illness that went undiagnosed for years. It details her journey of suffering, perseverance, and eventual diagnosis of a rare autoimmune disease called Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).

Sarah suffered from a range of symptoms including severe headaches, fatigue, memory loss, joint pain, and blood clots. Her condition worsened over time, impacting her daily life and leaving her bedridden at times.
You may also like

Solving the Mystery of Wild Eye: Wearing Glasses for Rabies Eye and Treatment Options

Do you regularly experience uncomfortable and itchy eyes while wearing glasses? It may be due to a phenomenon known as “Rabies Eye” – but fortunately there are ways to tackle it! Dien May XANH is here to provide information on the causes of this phenomenon and the solutions you can take to reduce its effects. Read on to find out more!

Tips for Relief from Eyestrain and Dry Eyes Resulting from Prolonged Screen Use

Do you ever feel like your eyes are overworking? This is a common symptom of eye strain, which can include temporary blurred vision and dryness of the eyes. Read on with Dien May Xanh to get tips on how to cope with eyestrain and dryness in the eyes that comes with prolonged use of laptops, computers, and phones.

15+ Exercises and Eye Massages to Enhance Visual Acuity

Struggling with poor eyesight can be a difficult and overwhelming experience, but there is hope. There are a number of exercises and massages that have been proven to help reduce nearsightedness and improve vision. Here are 15 techniques that can help improve your eyesight.

Ways to Safeguard Your Vision from Blue Light Coming from TVs and Laptops

It’s no secret that the blue light emitted from our electronic devices, such as phones, computers and TVs, can have a serious impact on our health and wellbeing. To help you guard against the risks posed by blue light, here are our top tips.