Charlotte’s Story
On December 27th 2006, I was at a party with friends. That’s when my so called “migraines” began. I was enjoying the remainder of the Christmas holiday. Life before this date was easier. Later into the party the pain struck. I was in so much pain I had to leave. Later on I went to the doctors explaining that my head aches were lasting for four days. Whenever I had a cold or an ear infection I would be off school for days with terrible dizziness. I had a blood test to see if I had any intolerances to food. The test showed wheat and milk were the main triggers to the migraines.
After two years of being different to everyone else, like having to have my own food at parties and missing lots of days off school, I was given an MRI scan. I wasn’t scared or worried as no one expected anything to be wrong. Five days later I was told I had a large brain tumour the size of an egg. I felt a wave of fear, horror and relief. I felt relieved that I now knew what was causing the migraines; horror because I wasn’t expecting it and fear as most people would feel. But I remember seeing the doctors in the room where I was being scanned pointing to the computers where the scan was going through. I remember the room getting really crowded.
The day after being told I went to Southampton General Hospital. The operation was done successfully as the tumour was removed. Everyone in the hospital was really kind and others were going through the same thing as me, so I didn’t feel alone. I had a stroke after the surgery. I was so shocked when I got off the bed and fell to the floor as I couldn’t even stand. I recovered quicker than expected. Most children who have the same complications than I had would be in hospital for six weeks, I was only in for eight days. I feel so proud of myself.
Now, all I want people to do is look at me and think “what a fighter” or “brave girl”. I don’t want people to feel sorry because it could have been worse. I hope that this doesn’t happen to anyone else. Now I’m getting on with my life. I had lost some eyesight due to brain damage, but that’s not going to stop me! Even if it doesn’t improve, I can read and get on with life. Even if I can’t drive when I’m older I have a loving family who will be there for me and help me all the way. In a way, my life is better than before but in others not, but I won’t give up, it may upset me occasionally. Being 13 and not be completely the same as everyone else is hard but my friends understand as much as they can and are there for me too.