A woman expecting a baby alleges that her concerns about cancer were dismissed by her doctor, who attributed her headaches to birth control before she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Tamara Bright had been suffering from severe headaches and balance problems since 2015, but her doctor linked these issues to her contraceptive use, vitamin B12 deficiency, and insufficient water intake.
As her right eye vision deteriorated and hearing in her right ear diminished, the 31-year-old sought help from an optician and an audiologist. Following a referral for an MRI in June 2023, it was discovered that Tamara had a benign brain tumor that doctors believe had been growing for more than ten years, affecting her ability to smile.
The 4cm tumor was exerting pressure on the back of Tamara’s eyes, causing blurred vision, and compressing her brain stem. She underwent surgeries in August 2023 and March 2024 to remove the tumor accessed through her right ear canal, followed by radiosurgery in June 2024.
Prior to the procedures, she was cautioned about the possibility of developing Bell’s palsy temporarily due to the tumor’s location, and she has since experienced loss of control on the right side of her face, a condition that affects facial nerve function.
On the road to recovery, Tamara advises individuals with unusual symptoms to persist in seeking answers from healthcare providers. She recalled years of visiting doctors who downplayed the seriousness of her symptoms, attributing them to various causes like contraception and vitamin deficiencies.
Tamara’s diagnosis was particularly distressing as she had lost her mother to a cancerous brain tumor in her late 30s. Despite raising concerns about a potential brain tumor similar to her mother’s, she was dismissed by her doctor.
Expecting a baby in November with her fiancé Jordan Pell, Tamara plans to explore treatment options for Bell’s palsy after giving birth. She expressed the challenges of coping with the effects of Bell’s palsy on her appearance and confidence and the impact on her interactions with others, particularly children who may not understand her condition.
Encouraging others to trust their instincts and advocate for their health, Tamara emphasized the importance of perseverance in seeking medical attention when experiencing persistent and concerning symptoms.