Mum Shocked to Discover Twitching Eye
(Image: Kennedy News & Media)

Scots Mum Stunned to Learn Twitching Eye Was a Rare Brain Tumour – How She Ignored the Warning Signs

A Glasgow mother has shared her heartbreaking story after a rare brain tumor, initially dismissed as stress, left her unable to smile or produce tears from her right eye. Jade-Marie Clark, 32, had been experiencing what she thought was an ear infection during her first pregnancy in March 2020, as reported by Ladbible. While the pain eased after the birth of her son Theo, she started experiencing more troubling symptoms during her second pregnancy in 2023.

Jade-Marie began suffering from persistent headaches and a twitching eye, which she initially attributed to stress from studying to become a nursery school teacher. She believed her symptoms were simply hormone-induced and connected to the demands of her college assessments. But in May 2023, when her lip went numb at three months pregnant, she sought medical attention. After an MRI, Jade-Marie was diagnosed with a rare acoustic neuroma brain tumor.

In an emotional interview, Jade-Marie recalled the moment she learned of her diagnosis, saying, “At this point, I burst into tears. Instantly when they said tumor, I just thought it was in my brain and I was going to die. They said it was really rare and it was the second one he had diagnosed in 20 years. He said I was one in 100,000 people”, reported by the Daily Record.

Jade-Marie Clark
Photo by Kennedy Newsand Media

The tumor, measuring 1.7 millimeters at the time of diagnosis, had been growing for years and had quickly expanded to 3.1 centimeters. Acoustic neuromas are benign brain tumors that grow on the nerve used for hearing and balance, often causing hearing loss, headaches, and facial numbness.

After giving birth to her son Rory in November 2023, Jade-Marie underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the tumor in April 2024. However, the surgery led to a devastating complication: facial palsy. Jade-Marie is now unable to smile or close her right eye, which does not produce tears, leaving her eye dry and painful.

Reflecting on the impact of her condition, Jade-Marie said: “I feel like I underestimated the mental impact of facial palsy. Of course you would never laugh at someone with it, but in my head I thought people would laugh at me. I didn’t want to leave the house and I didn’t want anyone to see me. I was just so sad.”

Jade-Marie is now sharing her journey on TikTok, aiming to raise awareness of her symptoms and connect with others facing similar challenges. She is hopeful that upcoming procedures, including a nerve transfer and nerve grafts, will help restore some of her smile. “It can take up to 18 months to work but what they’re hoping for is 80% of my smile back which makes me happy,” she shared.

Through TikTok and a support group, Jade-Marie has found solace in connecting with people around the world who understand her struggles.

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