4 days ago
'Overwhelming and shocking': intense headaches revealed larger problem
When Kirsty Guldbrandsen began experiencing severe week-long headaches, it was the start of an unexpected health journey.
She'd had occasional headaches before, but nothing like these.
"The first occurred a year ago, although I wasn't referred for a CT scan then," Kirsty, 27, said
"In late March this year, the same intense headaches returned."
Kirsty, a primary school teacher from Maitland, said they caused "pressure all around my head, dizziness and sharp pain in my temples when standing".
"Headaches can be a symptom of meningiomas, although mine could have been coincidental," she said.
"I trusted my gut, and my doctor referred me for a CT scan.
"I was urgently called back and told I had a lesion requiring a neurosurgeon."
Before she had time to process the unexpected news, she was in hospital.
She was diagnosed with an olfactory groove meningioma with oedema (swelling in the brain).
"This is a rare tumour that grows on part of the brain near the nose and has been growing for at least five years," Kirsty said.
It was "overwhelming and shocking" when she first saw the meningioma on a scan.
It needed immediate surgery.
"I underwent a craniotomy at Newcastle Private Hospital," she said.
She was anxious as the surgery, done on April 9, had occurred only five days after the CT scan.
"Though meningiomas are common, mine was more unusual due to my age and the lesion's location," she said.
"The neurosurgeon and team were excellent. The operation was successful."
They removed the tumour while preserving one of her olfactory nerves, which enabled the sense of smell.
It was a big relief for Kirsty when it was later confirmed that the tumour was benign.
She faces a long road to recovery "physically and emotionally".
"I am also unable to work or drive for at least three months," she said.
A GoFundMe has been started titled, "Support Kirsty's Recovery After Brain Tumour Surgery".
It is expected to take months for her to fully recover.
Donations will go directly towards her medical bills and any further contributions to the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia.
"Every contribution is greatly appreciated," she said.
She had to cancel a month-long trip to Europe, which was not refundable, and is taking unpaid leave from work.
The first weeks of her recovery were tough.
She had swelling, pain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
"Every day I'm improving," she said.
"With continued rest and a gradual return to normal activities, I'm optimistic about feeling like myself again.
"I'm incredibly grateful for early detection, the unwavering support of loved ones and the exceptional care from my doctors and nurses."
The Brain Tumour Alliance Australia describes olfactory groove meningiomas as growing "along the nerves that run between the brain and the nose".
"These nerves allow you to smell, and so often tumours growing here cause loss of smell," an alliance fact sheet says.
They account for about 10 per cent of meningiomas.
"If they grow large enough, olfactory groove meningiomas can also compress the nerves to the eyes, causing visual symptoms."
They can grow to a large size before being diagnosed, as changes in the sense of smell and mental status were "difficult to detect".
When Kirsty Guldbrandsen began experiencing severe week-long headaches, it was the start of an unexpected health journey.
She'd had occasional headaches before, but nothing like these.
"The first occurred a year ago, although I wasn't referred for a CT scan then," Kirsty, 27, said
"In late March this year, the same intense headaches returned."
Kirsty, a primary school teacher from Maitland, said they caused "pressure all around my head, dizziness and sharp pain in my temples when standing".
"Headaches can be a symptom of meningiomas, although mine could have been coincidental," she said.
"I trusted my gut, and my doctor referred me for a CT scan.
"I was urgently called back and told I had a lesion requiring a neurosurgeon."
Before she had time to process the unexpected news, she was in hospital.
She was diagnosed with an olfactory groove meningioma with oedema (swelling in the brain).
"This is a rare tumour that grows on part of the brain near the nose and has been growing for at least five years," Kirsty said.
It was "overwhelming and shocking" when she first saw the meningioma on a scan.
It needed immediate surgery.
"I underwent a craniotomy at Newcastle Private Hospital," she said.
She was anxious as the surgery, done on April 9, had occurred only five days after the CT scan.
"Though meningiomas are common, mine was more unusual due to my age and the lesion's location," she said.
"The neurosurgeon and team were excellent. The operation was successful."
They removed the tumour while preserving one of her olfactory nerves, which enabled the sense of smell.
It was a big relief for Kirsty when it was later confirmed that the tumour was benign.
She faces a long road to recovery "physically and emotionally".
"I am also unable to work or drive for at least three months," she said.
A GoFundMe has been started titled, "Support Kirsty's Recovery After Brain Tumour Surgery".
It is expected to take months for her to fully recover.
Donations will go directly towards her medical bills and any further contributions to the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia.
"Every contribution is greatly appreciated," she said.
She had to cancel a month-long trip to Europe, which was not refundable, and is taking unpaid leave from work.
The first weeks of her recovery were tough.
She had swelling, pain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
"Every day I'm improving," she said.
"With continued rest and a gradual return to normal activities, I'm optimistic about feeling like myself again.
"I'm incredibly grateful for early detection, the unwavering support of loved ones and the exceptional care from my doctors and nurses."
The Brain Tumour Alliance Australia describes olfactory groove meningiomas as growing "along the nerves that run between the brain and the nose".
"These nerves allow you to smell, and so often tumours growing here cause loss of smell," an alliance fact sheet says.
They account for about 10 per cent of meningiomas.
"If they grow large enough, olfactory groove meningiomas can also compress the nerves to the eyes, causing visual symptoms."
They can grow to a large size before being diagnosed, as changes in the sense of smell and mental status were "difficult to detect".
When Kirsty Guldbrandsen began experiencing severe week-long headaches, it was the start of an unexpected health journey.
She'd had occasional headaches before, but nothing like these.
"The first occurred a year ago, although I wasn't referred for a CT scan then," Kirsty, 27, said
"In late March this year, the same intense headaches returned."
Kirsty, a primary school teacher from Maitland, said they caused "pressure all around my head, dizziness and sharp pain in my temples when standing".
"Headaches can be a symptom of meningiomas, although mine could have been coincidental," she said.
"I trusted my gut, and my doctor referred me for a CT scan.
"I was urgently called back and told I had a lesion requiring a neurosurgeon."
Before she had time to process the unexpected news, she was in hospital.
She was diagnosed with an olfactory groove meningioma with oedema (swelling in the brain).
"This is a rare tumour that grows on part of the brain near the nose and has been growing for at least five years," Kirsty said.
It was "overwhelming and shocking" when she first saw the meningioma on a scan.
It needed immediate surgery.
"I underwent a craniotomy at Newcastle Private Hospital," she said.
She was anxious as the surgery, done on April 9, had occurred only five days after the CT scan.
"Though meningiomas are common, mine was more unusual due to my age and the lesion's location," she said.
"The neurosurgeon and team were excellent. The operation was successful."
They removed the tumour while preserving one of her olfactory nerves, which enabled the sense of smell.
It was a big relief for Kirsty when it was later confirmed that the tumour was benign.
She faces a long road to recovery "physically and emotionally".
"I am also unable to work or drive for at least three months," she said.
A GoFundMe has been started titled, "Support Kirsty's Recovery After Brain Tumour Surgery".
It is expected to take months for her to fully recover.
Donations will go directly towards her medical bills and any further contributions to the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia.
"Every contribution is greatly appreciated," she said.
She had to cancel a month-long trip to Europe, which was not refundable, and is taking unpaid leave from work.
The first weeks of her recovery were tough.
She had swelling, pain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
"Every day I'm improving," she said.
"With continued rest and a gradual return to normal activities, I'm optimistic about feeling like myself again.
"I'm incredibly grateful for early detection, the unwavering support of loved ones and the exceptional care from my doctors and nurses."
The Brain Tumour Alliance Australia describes olfactory groove meningiomas as growing "along the nerves that run between the brain and the nose".
"These nerves allow you to smell, and so often tumours growing here cause loss of smell," an alliance fact sheet says.
They account for about 10 per cent of meningiomas.
"If they grow large enough, olfactory groove meningiomas can also compress the nerves to the eyes, causing visual symptoms."
They can grow to a large size before being diagnosed, as changes in the sense of smell and mental status were "difficult to detect".
When Kirsty Guldbrandsen began experiencing severe week-long headaches, it was the start of an unexpected health journey.
She'd had occasional headaches before, but nothing like these.
"The first occurred a year ago, although I wasn't referred for a CT scan then," Kirsty, 27, said
"In late March this year, the same intense headaches returned."
Kirsty, a primary school teacher from Maitland, said they caused "pressure all around my head, dizziness and sharp pain in my temples when standing".
"Headaches can be a symptom of meningiomas, although mine could have been coincidental," she said.
"I trusted my gut, and my doctor referred me for a CT scan.
"I was urgently called back and told I had a lesion requiring a neurosurgeon."
Before she had time to process the unexpected news, she was in hospital.
She was diagnosed with an olfactory groove meningioma with oedema (swelling in the brain).
"This is a rare tumour that grows on part of the brain near the nose and has been growing for at least five years," Kirsty said.
It was "overwhelming and shocking" when she first saw the meningioma on a scan.
It needed immediate surgery.
"I underwent a craniotomy at Newcastle Private Hospital," she said.
She was anxious as the surgery, done on April 9, had occurred only five days after the CT scan.
"Though meningiomas are common, mine was more unusual due to my age and the lesion's location," she said.
"The neurosurgeon and team were excellent. The operation was successful."
They removed the tumour while preserving one of her olfactory nerves, which enabled the sense of smell.
It was a big relief for Kirsty when it was later confirmed that the tumour was benign.
She faces a long road to recovery "physically and emotionally".
"I am also unable to work or drive for at least three months," she said.
A GoFundMe has been started titled, "Support Kirsty's Recovery After Brain Tumour Surgery".
It is expected to take months for her to fully recover.
Donations will go directly towards her medical bills and any further contributions to the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia.
"Every contribution is greatly appreciated," she said.
She had to cancel a month-long trip to Europe, which was not refundable, and is taking unpaid leave from work.
The first weeks of her recovery were tough.
She had swelling, pain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
"Every day I'm improving," she said.
"With continued rest and a gradual return to normal activities, I'm optimistic about feeling like myself again.
"I'm incredibly grateful for early detection, the unwavering support of loved ones and the exceptional care from my doctors and nurses."
The Brain Tumour Alliance Australia describes olfactory groove meningiomas as growing "along the nerves that run between the brain and the nose".
"These nerves allow you to smell, and so often tumours growing here cause loss of smell," an alliance fact sheet says.
They account for about 10 per cent of meningiomas.
"If they grow large enough, olfactory groove meningiomas can also compress the nerves to the eyes, causing visual symptoms."
They can grow to a large size before being diagnosed, as changes in the sense of smell and mental status were "difficult to detect".
