A young mother who thought she was pregnant has revealed how she ended up being diagnosed with a ‘one-in-a-million’ brain tumour.
Media personality Jamila Rizvi, from Melbourne, underwent a gruelling seven-hour surgery to remove the lump from her head in January this year.
Speaking to Stellar magazine, the author and journalist opened up about her terrifying ordeal after her remarkable recovery.
Media personality Jamila Rizvi (pictured with son Rafi and husband Jeremy) initially thought she was pregnant with her second child – but she was shortly diagnosed with a brain tumour
Read the full interview about Jamila Rizvi in Stellar magazine
Nine months ago, the mother-of-one – who has a young son named Rafi – said she purchased a pregnancy test after she assumed she was expecting a second child.
But she was shortly diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.
‘I didn’t have a baby growing in my belly. I had a tumour growing in my brain,’ she told the publication.
‘I was diagnosed with a rare kind of brain tumour late last year, after having experienced no other symptoms than what I just described.’
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 as a precaution.
‘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 mother said she purchased a pregnancy test after she assumed she was expecting a baby
The young mother was diagnosed with a ‘one-in-a-million’ brain tumour late last year
Her latest interview comes after Jamila revealed in December last year she discovered she had a brain tumour after she Googled her symptoms online.
‘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.
Jamila revealed in December last year she discovered she had a brain tumour after she Googled her symptoms online
‘I’ve also been assured the tumour isn’t compressing a secret conservative lobe of the brain. So there’s no risk I’ll emerge from surgery singing the praises of Donald Trump or Tony Abbott.
She praised Australia for having one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
‘I have brilliant surgeons, specialists and nurses. And at every appointment, every test, every hospital visit, I’ve been asked for my Medicare card before my credit card.
‘So as it turns out, I am (just) lucky. In that respect, all Australians are. Lots of people are asking what I need. I don’t want sympathy and I certainly don’t want pity.
‘But I would welcome your fierce confidence that I’ll recover and be back doing what I love ASAP. I fully intend to be fine.’