My ‘brain tumours’ were abnormal blood vessels (From Brentwood Weekly News)

My ‘brain tumours’ were abnormal blood vessels

4:00pm Monday 11th January 2010

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A WOMAN has told of her relief after doctors wrongly diagnosed her with terminal brain cancer.

Grandmother-of-five Jacqueline Cox’s world was turned upside down when she went to the hospital after complaining of headaches, double vision and dizziness.

Jacqueline, 54, was told she had just a few months to live.

The former book keeper even made arrangements to give up her council house, thinking she would soon be spending her final days in a hospice.

However, two days later, Jacqueline was told she had been misdiagnosed.

She didn’t have cancer, but a rare condition called multiple cavernomas – clusters of dilated blood vessels in her brain.

Jacqueline, of Whitchards, Basildon, said: “I had been feeling unwell for about six weeks. It came on really quickly. It was like everything in front of my eyes kept moving and I had terrible headaches.

“The next thing I know I’m told I have terminal brain cancer. I remember just sitting in the hospital bed thinking ‘oh well’.”

Jacqueline told how she felt helpless and didn’t want to see anybody. Then 48 hours later she was given her life back.

She said: “Another doctor came and told me they’d got it wrong. They said the condition is very rare.

“They had to call in specialists from Queens Hospital in Romford to examine me.

“I was so relieved.”

Once the news had sunk in, Jacqueline realised she had nowhere to live and contacted the council, who quickly found her a flat.

Since her ordeal, Jacqueline said her outlook on life has changed dramatically.

She said: “I had a nice quiet Christmas with my daughter Angela and her kids. I can’t take too much noise these days and I don’t drink.

“I think I’m more understanding and compassionate of other people now.”

The abnormal lesions on Jacqueline’s brain bleed, expand and shrink, and cause Jacqueline much pain.

Nevertheless she is keen to go back to work as a book keeper, but doesn’t know if it’s possible.

She has to have regular check-ups, and there is a risk her condition could deteriorate.

If the cavernoma on her brainstem moved she could still die.

There is no cure for her condition, but surgery is an option.

Jacqueline added: “I spoke to a surgeon who said there was a risk of becoming paralysed, so I will just live with it.

“I have decided I just have to live every day as it comes. It’s pointless to keep worrying, you would never do anything.”

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