A man has shared his journey after being initially dismissed as merely anxious, only to later discover he was suffering from a grade three cancerous tumor.
Benjamin, who was diagnosed with a grade three brain tumor, identified as a glioma, revealed how his symptoms unfolded starting at the age of 18.
Reflecting on his initial experiences, Benjamin recounts celebrating his birthday with his twin brother when he suddenly noticed “flashing lights” in his vision.
In a YouTube video by The Patient Story, Benjamin recalls: “It was just a sensation I’ve never felt before, but it was really sunny and July so I just thought maybe it was that. And they just kept on flashing, flashing, flashing.”
Attempting to alleviate the issue, Benjamin wore sunglasses but soon felt “overwhelmed and panicky.”
He explains his first encounter with a grand mal seizure: “I’d never experienced a seizure before, this was my first one and it was a grand mal seizure,” he says. “The last thing I remember is going through the patio door and then waking up with three paramedics over me taking off my clothes.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “A tonic-clonic seizure, previously known as a grand mal seizure, causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions.”
Benjamin describes being “sweating,” “really confused,” and unsure of what was happening.
He recalls, “When it came down to researching what that was and why I had it, I was taken to my local hospital […] all my doctor told me was, you know, everyone is allowed to have one seizure in their life without any investigation.”
Reflecting on his experience, he realizes, “Now learning that was not true practice and that’s not what he should’ve done – regardless if someone has a seizure, they need to investigate that.”
Initially, Benjamin was diagnosed with ‘low phosphate levels,’ and went on with his life for four more years, seemingly well. However, towards the end of 2022, while at work, he felt a sensation akin to being electrocuted.
“The biggest thing that I ended up gaining was lack of speech. It was almost like my ability to talk and brain just disconnected,” he explains.
Despite recognizing something was wrong, Benjamin struggled to come to terms with it being more than a temporary issue.
A few months later in New York, the symptoms returned intensely, yet a doctor dismissed it as ‘anxiety.’
By mid-2023, Benjamin’s episodes became a weekly occurrence, leaving him breathless, confused, and speechless.
Despite consulting multiple doctors, each attributed his symptoms to anxiety.
It was only after visiting the emergency department at age 24 that a more comprehensive investigation was conducted.
An MRI of his brain revealed “two lesions,” Benjamin shares.
Initially deemed ‘benign,’ in February 2024, the diagnosis changed to a ‘malignant’ ‘grade two tumor’ that had been present for nearly a decade.
Following surgery, his diagnosis was updated to ‘grade three,’ indicating aggressive mutation areas.
Benjamin underwent chemotherapy and now gets scans every three months.
Another surgery is planned for early 2026 to address a remaining mutation.
Benjamin emphasizes the importance of hope and awareness: “There is always that glimmer of hope. […] It has taught me the value of life. I’m 25 years old and I think when you’re that young, you can take it for granted.”
He advises: “Listen to your body. If something isn’t feeling right do not feel you can’t speak to your doctor and see if there’s something they can change for you. […] You just have got to really stand for yourself.”
For those affected by similar issues, support is available through the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or via their 24/7 live chat feature.