Aby Smith’s life changed forever as she was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor. However, at first, she believed it was just a flight-related symptom. Now, she wants to warn others and share the symptoms she experienced.

In the summer of 2019, Abi Smith from the West Midlands in the UK was looking forward to her holiday in the US. At the time, she was working as a PR officer for an agency in Manchester, England, and the job included long days in front of a screen.

Smith developed a pain in her right wrist and forearm, which lasted about a month. She explained she thought she had “carpel tunnel syndrome” because of the typing. But as she traveled to the US for her cousin’s wedding, things got worse.

“When I arrived, doctors thought I had had a stroke because I was unable to move the right side of my body, including my eye, which turned inwards. The stroke ward was full of people who were much older than me. I spent the next few weeks in hospital, still not having been back to my apartment in Manchester since stepping off the plane,” she explained.

Diagnosed with deadly brain tumor

It turned out to be worse than anyone could’ve imagined.

“Doctors were throwing around different possible diagnoses, thinking my symptoms could be multiple sclerosis (MS). I was blue-lighted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, the city where my parents live, and had a full body MRI scan, which revealed I had a brain tumor.”

Abi Smith was terrified. She stated that although she was alone and afraid, it was a relief that “there seemed to be a possibility of curing the cancer, unlike living with MS.”

“The tumor was growing at the base of my brain, with part of it spreading along the top of my spine, and although the tumor on my brain is inoperable due to its location, the tumor on my spine was successfully removed in July 2019. After the biopsy I was on pureed food for two months as I lost my swallow reflex,” she continued.

Abi went through six weeks of radiotherapy, and after that, followed six months of chemotherapy of what was left of the tumor. She lost all her hair, and at first, it was a shock to see what she saw in the mirror.

Abi Smith is raising money for brain tumor research

However, as she explained, it was “a small price to pay for all the amazing treatment that managed to considerably shrink the tumor.”

As she was under 25 at the time, Abi Smith was given a wig, donated by the Little Princess Trust. It helped her feel “a million times better” every time she wore it.

So how is she doing today? Per Essex Live, she still attends routine scans and fundraising events to raise awareness. This Christmas, Abi Smith is supporting the Brain Tumor Research Christmas Appeal.

Moreover, she runs a greetings card business called The Cancer Card, which supports Brain Tumor Research through every sale.

“More funding is urgently needed to understand, treat and ultimately cure brain tumors. This Christmas, I’m encouraging people to support the Appeal. Every pound donated helps fund the breakthroughs we desperately need,” Abi Smith said.

Please share this article to show your continuous support for Abi Smith and to raise awareness.