by Nidhi Rakshikar
From Brain Tumor Misdiagnosis to Ph.D.: My Inspiring Journey of Resilience
Life has a way of testing our strength in ways we can’t imagine. My story began in 2004, shortly after the birth of my son. What should have been the happiest moment of my life quickly turned into a medical nightmare. Minutes after delivery, I experienced my first epilepsy attack, falling from the hospital bed and causing significant complications, including broken stitches and heavy bleeding.
Despite the chaos, my journey as a mother began with love and hope. However, my health challenges were just starting.
Living with Misdiagnosis and Painful Symptoms
Following my first seizure, I was diagnosed with migraines and prescribed medication to prevent further epilepsy attacks. Yet, the unbearable headaches persisted, and by 2005, I experienced another seizure. Over the years, I endured frequent headaches, redness in my eyes, and recurrent high-grade fevers.
Between 2012 and 2020, I visited ophthalmologists for eye redness, often told it was due to viral infections. Misdiagnosis became a recurring theme in my life, delaying the discovery of the true issue: a brain tumor.
Balancing Career, Family, and Academic Pursuits
Despite my health struggles, I remained dedicated to my career as a college librarian and to my academic aspirations. I cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) for Lectureship in 2007 and enrolled in a Ph.D. program in 2014.
Balancing work, motherhood, and studies was challenging, but I persevered. By 2020, I had completed significant progress on my Ph.D. research. All the while, I endured daily headaches and epilepsy attacks, unknowingly battling the growing brain tumor causing these symptoms.
The Tumor Diagnosis and Life-Saving Surgery
In early 2020, my health deteriorated significantly. High-grade fevers persisted for months without a clear diagnosis. On May 11, 2020, I suffered a severe epilepsy attack, leading to a cardiac arrest. Finally, an MRI revealed the cause of my years-long suffering: a 5 cm brain tumor causing intracranial pressure.
On May 16, I underwent a supra-major brain surgery amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although complications such as a brain hemorrhage arose, timely medical intervention saved my life. Histopathology reports later confirmed the tumor as Grade II, necessitating additional radiosurgery.
Fighting Through Recovery and Achieving Milestones
Recovery was grueling, marked by vision problems, drooping eyelids, blurry eyesight, and persistent headaches. Radiation therapy led to hair loss and other side effects, but I refused to give up.
Despite these obstacles, I resumed my Ph.D. research. Encouraged by my mentor and family, I worked at my own pace, eventually presenting my research at an international conference in December 2020.
In October 2021, I submitted my thesis, and by August 2022, I proudly earned my Ph.D. The journey was made even more meaningful by receiving an award for completing my degree during brain cancer treatment.
A Message of Hope and Resilience
Today, I continue to face health challenges, including vision issues and headaches, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to living a fulfilling life. Regular meditation, long walks, and routine MRIs help me manage my condition.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that life is not about avoiding challenges but embracing them with courage and optimism.
