A Brain Tumor Treatment Journey – Parminder's Story

Brain tumors are generally not easy to treat, so research receives particular priority. Let us read, in her own words, the treatment journey of Parminder, a young woman whose brain tumor recurred after treatment:

When first told she had a brain tumor, Parminder laughed. She did not believe it was real and described what followed:

My father was beside me in the room and told me not to laugh and to take the doctor seriously. I could not; it seemed impossible. I was 28 and waking every day with a terrible headache, strange déjà vu (a sense of having experienced something before) and an odd metallic taste. This continued for weeks. I thought it was my fillings, so I saw my dentist, who suggested an X-ray. I did not know what would happen next and lied to the technician, saying I had hit my head on a coffee table and that was why it hurt. It was completely untrue; I just needed someone to understand. They brought the doctor, and they listened carefully. The next morning I had a CT scan. My family came too, and we were given unwelcome news.

- The Moment Time Stands Still: A CANCER DIAGNOSIS!

Why Me?

At first I was truly shocked. Then I was angry; why me? I wondered. Once doctors explained everything, they acted very quickly. They did not know whether the growth in my head was cancerous, but knew it was a brain tumor and needed removing as soon as possible.

I went to Charing Cross Hospital on steroids and antiseizure medication. The ridiculous metallic taste was a seizure symptom, as was the feeling that I had experienced it before.

Steroids greatly increased my appetite. My mother had to visit the supermarket every day because I could not stop eating! A few weeks later, I had surgery.

The operation lasted 8 hours, the longest 8 hours of my family's life.

They removed % 70 of the tumor and sent it for analysis. I spent 10 days in hospital and felt very confined.

I was called in to discuss my results. In the appointment letter I saw the word "oncology" and knew it was cancer. They told me I had grade 3 astrocytoma . This thing had been growing in my head for an entire year.

Milkshakes and Hot Dogs

It was late 2011 when I was diagnosed. Because it was Christmas, I was told it would be better to start treatment in the new year. For 6 weeks I would receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy without any breaks.

Chemotherapy was difficult. Every morning I took 5 temozolomide tablets on an empty stomach. I was told not to touch them with bare hands, so had to take them directly from the bottle to my mouth.

I simply closed my eyes and tried imagining myself on a tropical island.

I felt fine after my first chemotherapy. At home I was incredibly hungry and made a wrap. I did not understand why people complained of sickness. But I had spoken too soon. After 20 minutes I began vomiting everything in my stomach. The drugs had started working, and I often felt nauseated afterward.

Temozolomide also caused a severe allergic reaction. My face became red and highly reactive, and I rushed to hospital, where antihistamine drops quickly controlled it. Chemotherapy made me constantly sleepy. I could not eat much, only two things: milkshakes and hot dogs.

At Charing Cross Hospital, I received radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy. I had to use a specially made mask. For half an hour to an hour I could take it everywhere with me. It was not too bad. I just closed my eyes and imagined a tropical island. It barely affected my hair; only the right side fell out, and I could hide it well.

That Unexpected Effect

After 6 weeks of treatment, another scan showed some tumor remained, so I had another 3 months of chemotherapy. A further scan followed, and my doctor said the disease had improved. I was overjoyed.

Afterward I had scans every 3 months, then every 6 months and annually.

At follow-up I was shocked to learn steroids had affected my right hip. I had avascular necrosis, meaning poor blood supply to the hip bone. Around 5 years ago I was told I might need a hip replacement. It also means that if I wanted children, I could not deliver naturally and would need a cesarean. I had not expected any of this.

I knew all about steroid effects such as hunger and a swollen face, but nobody had mentioned an adverse effect like this.

Déjà Vu Again

It was 2012 when everything became clear. Unfortunately, earlier this year, headaches and that ridiculous taste returned. Another scan then detected recurrence.

Normally I never cry, but this time I was overwhelmed with tears. Then I composed myself and asked, "How do we fix it this time?" as my question. I was ready for surgery. They said that because it had been found early, the surgeon could safely remove the entire tumor.

I Am Not Someone Who Feels Sorry for Herself

The second operation was much harder, but I returned to work after around 2 weeks. I do not usually sit around feeling sorry for myself. However, I will need more chemotherapy because doctors could not surgically remove 2 small portions of the brain tumors.

I will now work from home during chemotherapy weeks, so I can sleep when needed. My colleagues are understanding, and I think I can return to work very quickly.

Life Is Too Short

What really helps me through everything is support from family and friends. They keep me fighting and prevent me from giving up.

Having to face the disease again made me realize life is too short and should be enjoyed. I have a bucket list: an African safari, diving to see sharks in Cape Town, and the northern lights. I beat it once, so I will do it again. I still have so much to do. 

Related Topics:

• Innovations in Brain Tumor Treatment – 2017 and 2018
• All Our Hope-Inspiring Stories