'Mum noticed four warning signs of brain tumour in me – now part of my skull is gone'
Football January 08, 2025 12:39 AM

A former NBA cheerleader revealed that she owes her life to her mother's intuition.

Victoria Vesce, a 31-year-old social media influencer, had been dismissing symptoms of a rare brain tumour as stress or fatigue until her mum urged her to seek medical attention.

Speaking to Reach PLC, Victoria shared: "My mum had an intuition that something wasn't right with me. She noticed I was more fatigued than usual, and my energy levels didn't match my normally vibrant personality."

She added: "There were subtle changes in my demeanour and appearance – things only a mother could spot. She kept urging me to see a doctor, even though I tried to downplay what I was feeling.

"She noticed I was more tired than usual, often looking flushed and not like myself. She saw that I was unsteady on my feet at times and struggling to hear clearly, especially in one ear."

Despite experiencing persistent , dizziness and hearing issues, Victoria, from West Palm Beach, Florida, initially ignored these signs, attributing them to stress and tiredness due to her demanding career, travel and active lifestyle. However, her body was desperately signalling for help, reports .

Her mum's intuition potentially saved Victoria's life after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017, which led to an excruciating surgery that required part of her skull to be removed. In addition to the surgery, she braved 30 sessions of experimental radiation treatment.

Triumphantly overcoming her diagnosis of non-cancerous multiple paragangliomas, she now uses her substantial following of 273,000 users to urge others to not disregard health symptoms.

In an impassioned plea, she advised: "Trust your body and don't ignore the signs it's giving you. If something feels off, don't hesitate to seek medical advice - even if you think it's minor.

"Early detection can save lives, and being proactive about your health is never overreacting. You know yourself better than anyone, so listen to those instincts."

Victoria, who now thrives as a social media marketer at her own Victoria Vesce agency, attributes her survival to surrounding herself with truly caring individuals. She constantly preaches the value of health as a paramount wealth and remains eternally indebted to her mother for her life-saving intervention.

However, the tale took a heart-wrenching turn after Victoria lost her mum during the Covid-19 crisis, leaving her without a chance for final goodbyes. Formerly a law clerk and one-time Sports Illustrated model, Victoria expressed her profound gratitude towards her mother, saying: "Words can't describe how thankful I am to my mum.

"I miss her every single day. She didn't just give me life - she saved it when I couldn't see the danger myself.

"Her love and intuition were gifts I'll carry with me forever. Losing her made me realise just how much she sacrificed and how deeply she cared, even when I didn't fully appreciate it at the time."

Meanwhile, the provides invaluable guidance on brain tumours, advising individuals to seek GP consultation if they experience any concerning symptoms listed below:

  • headaches that feel different or worse than normal ones
  • seizures (fits)
  • persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
  • mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
  • progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
  • vision or speech problems
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