A 21-year-old caregiver was diagnosed with a brain tumor during a routine eye test. Ellie Musgrove is now on the road to recovery after undergoing emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital to release a build-up of fluid around her brain.
Ellie’s symptoms began just after her 21st birthday in January, when she was experiencing intense headaches along with neck pain. She says, “I also had blurred, double vision, blackheads, and I began to hear throbbing heartbeats.”
“My headaches and cervical pain seemed to get worse in the morning and evening, but they were still in the background all day. My GP suspected I had an ear infection and prescribed me antibiotics and ibuprofen, but my symptoms didn’t improve. I decided to do it. make an appointment to see my optics. “
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Heaton Park Specsavers optometrist Aqeel Mahmood explains: “At that time, Ellie made an appointment when she could not get to the bottom of her severe headaches and neck pain and her impaired vision.
“I noticed a swelling of the optic nerves in both eyes and this, along with Ellie’s symptoms, indicated that something was seriously wrong. Urgent medical intervention was required, so I immediately referred Ellie to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. “.
After numerous scans and tests that day, Crumpsall’s Ellie, who works with vulnerable adults with special needs, was taken by ambulance to the neurology department at Salford Royal Hospital. He was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the depths of the brain, caused by a brain tumor, and required emergency surgery to drain the fluid.
“I went from having an eye test at 11 a.m. to having emergency brain surgery at 11:30 p.m. the same day. An MRI the next day confirmed I had a benign brain tumor. between the pineal gland and the pituitary gland, which was blocking the flow of fluid around my brain.
Ellie and Aqeel Mahmood (Image: Carl Sukonik | The Vain Photography The Vain Ltd. hello@thevain.co.uk 07947484641)
“I was also diagnosed with Addison’s disease. The tumor is affecting my pituitary gland, which is a devastating blow as I will have to take hydrocortisone steroids all my life.
“I’m recovering slowly but surely and now I’ll have regular MRIs to control the tumor. Neurosurgeons think it’s a slow-growing tumor, which only develops in 1% of people, so I hope you don’t need surgery to remove it. -so soon.
“I may need more surgery if the fluid builds up again, but at least I know what the symptoms are now.
“My life has turned upside down, but I, along with my family, will be eternally grateful to Aqeel and the Specsavers team.
“If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today, they saved my life. I would also like to thank the medical teams at Manchester Royal and Salford Royal Hospitals from the bottom of my heart: they took very good care of me and were so affectionate.”
Aqeel Mahmood continues: “Ellie’s story shows the importance of taking care of your eye health and if you have any major concerns, have them checked by an optician. If Ellie had ignored her symptoms and delayed the visit from an optician point of view, it could have been a very different result.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.specsavers.co.uk
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