Teen drank five litres of water a day before devastating diagnosis
Alissa Bowman would 'relentlessly' drink water, day and night
A teenager was so thirsty she was drinking up to five litres of water every day, only to find out her symptom was due to a rare hidden brain tumour.
Alissa Bowman, now 17, started experiencing "extreme thirst" back in June 2023, resulting in her "relentlessly" necking water, day and night. It quickly escalated from having around two litres a day to then downing more than double the recommended amount.
However, it would be gallons of water later, and the teen still felt unable to quench her thirst. Initially thinking it might be due to onset diabetes, Alissa's mum Fran, aged 49, took her to their local GP in Leeds and carried out a series of blood tests.
Unfortunately, the blood test failed to identify the cause and left them with no answer. However, later on that same year, Alissa's symptoms continued to worsen, to the point where she felt "constantly exhausted" with little to no appetite.
In October 2023, the suffering teenager was even placed on a rehydration drip while holidaying in Thailand because of her severe dehydration. By December, she was unable to get out of bed because her body was completely undernourished.
Alissa was admitted to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on December 22, where an MRI scan revealed a cancerous brain tumour, one that doctors couldn't even name. With no knowledge, this tumour had been affecting the function of her pituitary gland, which produces hormones that regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction.
Fran said: "It was awful news to hear, and my heart just dropped for Alissa – she was strong beyond her years. But medics didn't know what type of tumour she had, and so they had to try and figure that out before they gave her a prognosis."
Despite further tests and biopsies, medics were unable to diagnose the type of brain tumour Alissa had, and months later she began chemotherapy in a fight to get rid of it for good. Specialists told the teen her tumour was so rare she was the first person in the world with it.
She went on to successfully complete six rounds of chemo, and by November 2024, her tumour had shrunk by an impressive 90 per cent. Her mum Fran said, "Alissa's constant thirst sent alarm bells ringing. I thought it might be type 2 diabetes, but medics ruled that out. When the doctor said it was a brain tumour, we couldn't believe it."
Due to its rarity, Alissa's case is being presented to a national panel to try to determine the name and nature of her tumour, and she has also been enrolled in a research project in Newcastle to study it further. "It's been the hardest couple of years of our lives," her mum shared. "But Alissa is a tough cookie. She is the bravest, most inspirational person I know. I'm in awe of her bravery."
Fran has set out to run the London Marathon on Sunday 27 April to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Research Charity and has already raised more than £21,000.
"That's why I set myself the challenge of the London Marathon," her mum explained. "She's been through so much; now it's my time to be challenged. I'm proud to be running for the Brain Tumour Research Charity so they can continue to help families like us."
Fran said: "I'm nervous about the run, but I'm also excited and honoured to be running for such a good cause. I'm running for my superstar Alissa, but for anyone who needs or will need the Brain Tumour Charity. I had no idea how important the research they do is – Alissa's story has shown me how vital it is. Alissa's fighting spirit makes her so very special."
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving, said: "Fran's fundraiser is an incredible tribute to her daughter Alissa's ongoing strength and determination. By taking on the London Marathon, Fran has already raised an incredible £21k for The Brain Tumour Charity, and we at JustGiving cannot applaud her enough."
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