Brain Surgery at 10 Weeks Pregnant: My Pilocytic Astrocytoma Story

Lauren was eight weeks pregnant when doctors discovered a life-threatening brain tumour.For months, her symptoms were attributed to pregnancy — nausea, vomiting, dizziness, mood changes, neck pain. But what was happening inside her brain was far more serious.A tumour on her cerebellum was completely blocking the flow of spinal fluid, causing dangerous brain swelling and herniation. She was rushed for emergency, life-saving surgery.Lauren shares:The early symptoms that were dismissed as pregnancyRapid neurological declineBeing told she may not surviveEmergency craniotomy while pregnantWaking up to relief after unbearable pressureLearning she had a grade one tumourWatching and waiting while growing a babyDelivering by C-section before a second brain surgeryA diagnosis change to hemangioblastomaGenetic testing and the fear of Von Hippel-Lindau syndromeThe mental health impact after survivalLearning to slow down and give herself graceLauren is a registered nurse who spent years caring for oncology patients. Suddenly, she became the patient.This episode is about survival, motherhood, vulnerability, and the strength it takes to heal — physically and mentally.⚠️ This episode discusses emergency surgery, pregnancy complications, and life-threatening brain swelling.This is Day 3 of 31 brain tumour stories shared during Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2026.Please share to help amplify real voices.