A 39-year-old UK millennial mother of three, Kirsty Connell, discovered that her “out-of-body experiences” were actually symptoms of a brain tumor.
Connell, residing in Old Stratford, Northamptonshire, began experiencing severe headaches and frequent sensations of déjà vu, prompting her to seek medical advice. “The doctor referred me to a neurologist who initially suspected hormone-related migraines but decided to proceed with an MRI scan as a precaution,” Connell recounted to SWNS.
Upon being ushered into a family room after the scan, Connell sensed that something was amiss. It was there that she received the news of a mass detected in her brain. In October 2021, she was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a slow-growing low-grade brain tumor.
Before seeking medical treatment, Connell experienced episodes where she felt transported to other places, such as driving a car, cooking, or waking up, while simultaneously engaged in conversations or standing in a store checkout line.
Initially lasting only a few seconds, these sensations intensified over time, becoming more frequent and intense. In November 2021, Connell underwent a craniotomy while awake to remove a section of bone.
“I couldn’t fathom being awake during surgery at first,” Connell recounted. “A previous experience with having a mole removed had left me apprehensive, but I was genuinely cared for throughout the process.”
She added, “I feel incredibly fortunate because the surgeons were able to eliminate every visible trace of my tumor, and I understand that the outcome could have been very different.”
Presently, Connell is undergoing monitoring with scans every three months as part of a “watch and wait” protocol.
In support of Brain Tumour Research, Connell’s school organized a Wear a Hat Day fundraiser a day before the official UK event. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite headwear and contribute towards finding a cure for brain tumors.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, remarked, “With one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumor, Kirsty’s story sadly resonates with many. Brain tumors claim more lives than breast cancer among women under 35, prostate cancer among men under 70, and leukemia among children. We’re committed to changing this, but we need collective efforts. We extend our sincere gratitude to Kirsty, her colleagues, and students at the Redway School for their support.”