Mystery Migraines Reveal Hidden Brain Tumor in Brave Psychology Teacher

Nikita Sterling, a 39-year-old psychology teacher from Medway, Kent, has been silently dealing with inexplicable migraines since her youth. Her lack of concern towards these infrequent migraines, which would only occur two or three times a year, led her to ignore them largely. It was not until October 2024 that she began to notice an alarming escalation in their frequency, occurring almost every three weeks.

Her condition began to worsen, sometimes experiencing sensations similar to her head being filled with water. There were occasions when she vividly remembers being at a parents’ evening and suddenly losing her ability to talk. At the height of her distress, she would blackout only to wake up in a disoriented state, which began to concern her husband Dean, and their two children, Sebastian and Florence.

Nikita’s incessant pursuit for answers created a formidable struggle; many physicians were mostly dismissive of her complaints. Driven by desperation, she decided to conduct an MRI scan privately for £400, leading to a shocking revelation- a large tumour was growing in her brain, determining the root cause of her deteriorating health.

The astounding revelation suggested that this brain mass could have been growing without her knowledge for possibly 20 years. Post-surgical examination identified it as a meningioma, a benign form of brain tumour. The surgery sparked hope in Nikita to raise awareness about preventive health and inspire others to advocate for themselves.

Nikita bravely embarked on a journey of advocacy, sharing her experience to help others. She profoundly believes in the importance of self-health advocacy and being assertive in seeking adequate medical attention. She asserts that patients need to be heard, their knowledge about their own bodies deserves attention.

The mother-of-two reiterated that her migraines, although infrequent, had been a part of her life since she turned 18. She refrained from medical consultation as these headaches lasted for only eight to 12 hours before dissipating. Despite the intensity and debilitating nature of these headaches, they were regarded lightly until noticeable changes started taking place in October 2024.

Nikita’s worrying symptoms began escalating every three weeks during that period. She likened the distressing sensation to her head being filled with water, which started affecting her day-to-day activities. Consequently, her teaching career had to bear the impact due to frequent interruptions to cope with escalating symptoms.

Nikita sought help from her doctor who dismissed her concerns as ‘just migraines’. However, an episode of sudden loss of speech at a routine parent-teacher meeting left her worried. Subsequent months witnessed a deterioration in her health, and she found it increasingly difficult to secure a doctor’s appointment.

Faced with a worsening condition, she decided to consult a private doctor under her husband’s work insurance in February 2025. Despite the earliest consultation being assigned for May, she decided to endure the discomfort until then. However, her symptoms worsened necessitating abrupt cessation of her work.

Nikita’s sister played a monumental role in her diagnosis, convincing her to undergo an MRI scan before their family holiday. This private scan, costing £400, proved life-saving. Although Nikki could afford it, she reflected on the plight of others, who might not be as fortunate.

After the MRI, just hours later, a clinic urgently directed Nikita to A&E. The test results were sent to Medway Hospital, where she was informed of a large mass on her frontal lobe. She was overcome with relief and shock at the same time upon discovering that this troubling mass was, indeed, a benign meningioma.

Post-diagnosis, Nikita was referred to King’s College Hospital in London. The surgical removal of the brain mass was deemed the best course of action by the neurosurgeon assigned to her case. The surgery was scheduled for April 22nd, coinciding with her husband’s 40th birthday.

Despite the terrifying prospect of brain surgery, Nikita found herself calm and at peace, whereas her family found the whole situation gravely distressing. Her understanding kids comforted her by offering their teddy bears for companionship during her hospital stay. The surgery was a success and the entire tumour was removed.

Nikita’s recovery post-surgery was marked by a momentous sigh of relief when the tumour was declared benign. Although her post-surgery days were marked by fatigue, she noticed a dramatic decline in the frequency of the debilitating migraines that had plagued her for so long.

Walking the road to recovery, Nikita is preparing to return to her teaching career in September. Meanwhile, her husband, Dean has committed to the Climb the Capital challenge, to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity. This event encompasses a formidable stair-climb of three of London’s highest skyscrapers-the Cheesegrater, the Scalpel, and the Walkie-Talkie.