A woman shared her experience of how an unusual cancer symptom came to light after a night of drinking, prompting her to seek medical attention.
At the age of 22, Jade Collett, who is now 32, encountered a peculiar sensation in her right foot during a night out with friends. Her foot turned slightly outward and lost all feeling, causing her significant pain and necessitating assistance to get home.
Initially, Jade’s friends thought it was just a result of her being inebriated. However, Jade, a mother of one, became increasingly worried when her symptoms persisted the following day.
“I was on a night out with my friends then all of a sudden my foot started to turn outwards a little bit,” she explained.
She initially attributed the sensation to hip dysplasia she experienced during pregnancy or a pinched nerve. “Everyone thought it was a pinched nerve. It didn’t cross my mind that it could be something sinister,” she added.
After consulting her GP, Jade from Worcestershire, UK, underwent an MRI scan, which revealed a brain tumor.
Jade recalled, “I just froze. I didn’t even talk or cry. I was just sitting in the car silent thinking what is going on?”
In a moment of despair, she expressed her fears, “I remember balling my eyes out crying saying ‘I’m going to die’. Grace wasn’t even one yet.”
The doctors informed Jade that the outward turning of her foot was an unusual yet fortunate symptom as not many people experience that particular sign. Beyond that, she had no other symptoms.
Further examination through a biopsy confirmed that Jade was suffering from Grade 4 Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Jade has continued to surpass the initial two-year prognosis given by doctors.
Although her foot remains bent and numb, Jade shared her feelings about her journey. “I found it hard going past the second year because I felt like I was waiting around to die. I felt like I couldn’t plan ahead and was in limbo,” she said.
Jade had even prepared for the worst, “I’ve got a will and had a whole funeral planned, it’s all ready. I never thought I’d have to plan my own funeral at 22.”
However, her resolve remains strong for her daughter, Grace. “But I’ve always wanted to keep going for Grace. I feel so lucky and just thought I’m going to carry on with my life.”
Amazingly, since receiving treatment nine years ago, Jade has not required any further medical intervention and continues to thrive. “Doctors have no idea what’s going on and they’ve called me a miracle. They have no answers and are gobsmacked I’m still here and so healthy,” Jade stated.