During her New York City vacation, Megan Troutwine, now 33, made a life-saving discovery through her holiday snapshots.
While reviewing her vacation photos, Troutwine noticed a concerning detail: her drooping eye in a picture captured near Times Square by a fountain. This observation sparked immediate concern, as she had been experiencing cognitive issues and difficulty with physical activities.
Prompted by this revelation, Troutwine consulted her physician, who referred her to a neurologist for further evaluation. An MRI confirmed her fears—she had a sizable brain tumor.
Subsequent treatment involved enduring 30 rounds of radiation and undergoing two surgeries to remove the benign mass. During this process, medical professionals uncovered an additional, more perilous tumor known as a glioma, posing a greater challenge to treat and carrying a heightened risk of brain damage.
In the selfie, Megan Troutwine noticed a slight droop in her eye, an oddity she initially dismissed as inconsequential. However, just 15 minutes following an MRI, the doctor delivered the startling news: a benign tumor was exerting pressure on her brain.
Her journey of treatment commenced in 2016, and although she continues regular check-ups at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, she now enjoys good health.
Transitioning from patient to employee at Moffitt, Megan Troutwine now provides solace to individuals facing similar challenges to those she once confronted.
During her New York visit, Troutwine engaged in typical tourist activities, capturing selfies at iconic spots like Times Square and the Freedom Tower. However, upon scrutinizing one photo, she felt perplexed.
Reflecting, she remarked, “I’m like, ‘oh, that’s weird. That picture looks weird.’ Little did I know.”
In 2016, doctors swiftly identified a meningioma in Troutwine’s brain, a mere 15 minutes post-MRI. Although classified as benign, medical professionals deemed it aggressive, suggesting potential growth or invasion of nearby brain tissue.
Meningiomas represent one of the most prevalent brain tumor types, comprising 30 percent of all cases. Originating in the meninges—the protective layers of tissue beneath the skull—they pose significant health challenges.
Ms. Troutwine, once an enthusiastic runner, found herself compelled to ease off her running routine due to numerous rounds of radiation and the subsequent recovery period.
The symptoms of meningioma typically manifest gradually and may encompass changes in vision, such as double vision or blurriness, morning headaches, hearing impairment or ringing in the ears, memory lapses, loss of olfactory sensation, seizures, weakness in the limbs, and difficulty speaking.
The ordeal led to cognitive challenges, which Megan Troutwine found particularly distressing. As a longtime runner, she also had to adjust her pace.
Troutwine expressed, “Dealing with cognitive issues and memory loss was probably the most difficult because I know I’m capable of more. It’s a matter of learning to grant myself grace in the midst of it all.”
During her treatment, Dr. Sepideh Mokhtari, a Neuro-Oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, identified another primary brain tumor—a glioma. Typically, gliomas have a seven-year survival rate when diagnosed early in young individuals.
Dr. Mokhtari explained, “It was initially very small. However, over time, we’ve observed a slight increase in size.”
Despite the challenges, Troutwine considers herself fortunate, acknowledging the dangers associated with gliomas and having lost friends to similar brain conditions.
She reflected, “Having a low-grade glioma is a paradoxical blessing. It’s like standing on a precipice, aware of the looming progression and the need for treatment. You understand it could pose a threat to your life in the future. Yet, you’re also left waiting for its next move.”
