Brain tumours describe a mass of abnormally growing cells in the brain. Concerningly, this process sometimes occurs asymptotically.
Sophie, 26, discovered she had a brain tumour aged 24 following a seizure that occurred while she was out shopping.
"I am spreading the awareness of my journey with a terminal brain tumour," she explained in a recent clip.
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Doctors believe Sophie's tumour had developed during childhood
|GETTY / TIKTOK / @SOPHIEEEXLOU
Medical professionals later determined the tumour, which occupies a significant portion of the left side of her brain, had likely been developing since childhood.
Sophie's symptoms began in her youth with headaches that intensified dramatically from around 16 years of age.
"From a young age, I had headaches, but as I got older, from about sixteen years onwards, I was getting very sudden migraines," she recalled.
The attacks brought excruciating pain originating from behind her eyes, temples or the rear of her skull, characterised by sharp, pulsating sensations.
"During these attacks, I was very sensitive to light, sound and small noises; it was unbearable," Sophie said, describing how she frequently experienced nausea and vomiting.
Relief only came when she retreated to darkened rooms, though lying down paradoxically increased the pressure and discomfort.
The twelve months preceding her diagnosis brought a concerning escalation of symptoms that Sophie now recognises as crucial warning signs.
"Over the last year before my diagnosis, I was experiencing a combination of symptoms," she shared, describing unexpected shooting pains that struck without warning.
Persistent fatigue left her feeling depleted both physically and mentally, creating significant challenges in maintaining her work responsibilities.
Visual disturbances became another development, with sudden episodes of blurred sight lasting approximately sixty seconds before clearing.
"I didn't really have concerns; I felt that was normal," Sophie admitted about these vision problems.
Her personality underwent noticeable shifts during this period, marked by increased irritability, moodiness, confusion and difficulty maintaining focus.
The critical moment arrived on June 4 when Sophie's various symptoms converged dramatically during a shopping trip.
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| TIKTOK / @SOPHIEEEXLOU
"I got a sharp pain, I got home, I had blurred vision, I began to lose feeling in my fingers and from the right side of my mouth, up to my head," she recounted.
After contacting NHS 111, she lost the ability to speak while on the call, prompting an immediate ambulance response that marked the beginning of her medical journey.
Sophie emphasised that despite repeatedly consulting her GP about migraines, her concerns were attributed to stress and overwork.
"If you ever experience anything like this or you're going through something that you're unsure about, you need to go to a GP," she urged.