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Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The subtle symptom that led me to tragically discover a 'one in a million' tumour - and now I have a broken brain
Jamila Rizvi thought her missed periods were just a sign of stress. After noticing she hadn't menstruated for two months, the Aussie TV presenter decided to see a GP as a precaution to check her hormones, as she had just stopped breastfeeding her toddler son Rafi. But the then-31-year-old's world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a rare 'one-in-a-million' brain tumour. 'For me, it was very much out of the blue... I was very unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare kind of brain tumour so I've got a physically broken brain,' Jamila told radio duo Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little on HIT Network. 'Because of where the tumour grows and the complexity of the brain, for me it began with hormones so I just skipped a period.' Reflecting on that fateful day seven years ago, the political commentator was on a book tour, so she suspected the missed cycle was simply due to stress. 'I thought, oh I must be really stressed,' she recalled. 'And then it happened again and so I was very diligent, went and saw my GP and I think that's when I got lucky the first time because my GP took me really seriously... I got blood tests done, she sent me off to specialists and then a gynaecologist.' In 2017, doctors found a tumour lodged deep in her brain, dangerously close to her optic nerves, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. 'It's quite an unusual type of brain tumour, it happens to about one in every one-and-a-half million people,' she explained. 'You're born with it but you wouldn't be able to see it on an MRI - it's a tiny cluster of cells with that extra bit of DNA I shouldn't have. 'The growth started to grow in my late 20s.' Despite undergoing two major brain surgeries followed by radiation, Jamila now lives with chronic health conditions, as she's told her tumour may return. Whenever she bumps into an old friend or acquaintance, one of the most frequently asked questions she faces is, 'Are you better now?' 'It's asked with the best intentions,' Jamila explained. 'They really want me to say, "Yeah I'm all fixed, I've come through the darkness of the brain tumours, surgeries, radiations and treatments, and now I'm fixed." But I'm not. 'The reality is that when people cut open your head multiple times, there's damage that has to be done. 'Brain injuries are quite significant and they're not going to be fixed in my lifetime. For me, I'm not going to be fixed.' Reflecting on that fateful day seven years ago, Jamila noticed her period was late but suspected the missed cycle was simply due to stress as she was on a book tour at the time But in 2018, Jamila told Stellar magazine she had purchased a pregnancy test after assuming she was pregnant with a second child. 'I didn't have a baby growing in my belly. I had a tumour growing in my brain,' she told the publication at the time. The mum explained that she had experienced no other symptoms except for missed periods. Before her shock diagnosis, Jamila said her GP had suspected her period was being affected by stress - but she was sent to get an ultrasound and blood tests. 'This was the first of several decisions that may have saved my life and almost certainly helped preserve my eyesight and fertility,' Jamila added. The then 31-year-old in hospital with her toddler son Rafi and husband Jeremy Before she discovered she had a brain tumour, Jamila said she did what any young person would do - Googled her symptoms. 'You're not supposed to Google your symptoms because the internet says everything is either stomach cancer or a brain tumour,' she said at the time. 'Turns out, sometimes Google gets it right.' At the time, the mother said she was struggling to come to terms with the news. 'Fortunately the tumour is benign and operable,' she said. 'I'm not in any pain. This is not and will not affect me cognitively. I'm writing, speaking and working as normal and that's how I intend to continue.'
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Radio host Tommy Little makes huge change to his lifestyle for rumoured lover Carrie Bickmore
Tommy Little has continued to fan the flames of romance rumours with his HIT Network co-host Carrie Bickmore as he makes massive lifestyle changes for the blonde beauty. The comedian, 40, revealed on Sunday he has given up vaping and is attempting to lose 10kgs so he can run The Big Five Marathon in South Africa to raise money for Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity. Sharing a video of himself taking a jog to Instagram, Tommy said he has seven weeks to get into running shape for the cause, saying he has become a 'doughy boy' since his last marathon. 'We are seven weeks out from The Big Five Marathon in South Africa. I just ran 13.3 kms. Not quick because I am a doughy boy,' the radio star said. 'I weighed myself this week. I weigh 86kg, which might not sound like that much, but the only time I ran a marathon I weighed 70kg. So I am 16kg over my previous running weight.' Tommy went on to joke he needed to wear 'a sports brazier when he runs' before encouraging his followers to donate to his co-star's cause to help find a cure for brain cancer. 'I'm trying the best I can. I don't think I'm going to be breaking any PBs [personal best], but I've quit vaping for the 42nd time this week. I did three runs. A couple sessions in the gym.' Tommy went on to write in the caption of his video: 'I plan to lose at least 10kgs and work my a*** off for the next seven weeks. Anyone who wants to get involved is more than welcome.' Work colleague and rumoured love interest Carrie, 44, took to the comments to encourage Tommy, writing: 'Yes Tommy! Yes! You got this.' To which Tommy playfully responded: 'You're stoned again aren't you?' It comes after Carrie also showed her support for Tommy's career when she stepped out at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to cheer him on during one of his shows. The Hit Network star shared an image of her colleague to Instagram Stories earlier last month when she went to watch one of his I'm Not Proud shows at the Comedy Theatre. In the picture, Tommy could be seen smiling on stage as he held a microphone and addressed the audience, wearing an all-black ensemble as he flashed his numerous tattoos. Carrie took the photo from the crowd and captioned it with '5 star review' alongside a hand clapping emoji and star emoji. In march, Tommy took to the stage again to make jokes at his co-star's expense for The Roast of Carrie Bickmore. However, the media personality had the crowd speculating whether he had the hots for the blonde beauty after he made a suggestive comment about her appearance. During the roast, Tommy declared Carrie 'looks better and better' every day. 'She's just getting hotter and hotter, and if you want to know what's her secret: cosmetic surgery,' he joked. 'Want to know what Carrie would look like without all the work done? Bev Killick,' he added, as he gestured to the comedian who was also taking part in the comedy skit. Carrie donned a stunning red gown for the occasion. Her figure was on full display in the show-stopping backless number. The night out came after Carrie's very public split from longtime partner Chris Walker in 2023. Work colleague and rumoured love interest Carrie, 44, took to the comments to encourage Tommy, writing: 'Yes Tommy! Yes! You got this.' To which Tommy playfully responded: 'You're stoned again aren't you?' Rumours of a romance between her and her Hit Network pal Tommy quickly ensued. The pair have made a number of appearances together of late, cuddling up at a golf tournament in Adelaide and enjoying a trip to Uluru together. Carrie shared a sweet photo to Instagram of herself and Tommy embracing one another and smiling at the LIV golf tournament. Meanwhile, Tommy recently made a relationship confession which continued to fan the flames of romance rumours. The comedian confessed to Stellar he is very keen to start a family and settle down—even if he's not entirely ready to grow up yet.
