Teen went to optician with squint in her eye but was given devastating diagnosis
A Scottish teenager says she can't feel the top of her head after undergoing surgery for a "constantly growing" brain tumour.
Molly Whitelaw, 18, was diagnosed with the tumour in January 2021 after going for a routine eye check-up due to a squint which was "turning outwards".
Her optician couldn't see the back of her eye so immediately sent her to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where a CT scan found a mass on her brain which was swollen.
Molly was then sent for an MRI scan at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, which confirmed she had a brain tumour.
She has since had an operation, which was a success, but has left her unable to feel the top of her head due to damage to a nerve ending.
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Molly receiving her black belt in karate (Brain Tumour Charity)
Molly with ice hockey player Alex Christian (Brain Tumour Charity WS)The college student, who is studying childhood practice, told the Daily Record: "Since my diagnosis, scans show my tumour has been constantly growing and I’m really concerned because I may need to have surgery again.
"It’s the height of assessment season and I don’t want to miss anything.
"I’m at college training for my dream job of working with nursery school children but my brain is getting in the way."
Molly had a squint in her eye when she was younger, but was prompted to go to the opticians after it started "turning out again".
She said: "I instantly thought of cancer and it really scared me. I had an operation which went well but since then, I haven’t been able to feel the top of my head because of damage to a nerve ending, it’s really weird.
"I finish my course at the end of May. I’m currently doing a placement at Busy Bees Nursery in Broughton, I love it and hope to work there.
"I get dizziness quite often and really bad migraines but I’ve got medication which gets rid of it."
Despite her health struggles, Molly is determined to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research charity by taking on the Jog 26.2 Miles in May Challenge.
Molly said: "This is a big challenge for me, but I am determined to raise awareness of this disease.
"I want to raise money to help fund research because it will help others, and hopefully me, in the future.
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"I just want to get better."
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, thanked Molly for her support.
He said: "We’re really grateful to Molly for taking on the Jog 26.2 miles in May challenge as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like her who are forced to fight this awful disease."
The Jog 26.2 Miles in May challenge, which is now in its third year, raises vital funds to help find a cure for brain tumours.
Participants are asked to sign up via Facebook or JustGiving.
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