Facing the Challenge of Brain Tumors: The Stories of Lachlan and Hazel

In a heartfelt account, two young cousins from Scotland, Lachlan Lindsay and Hazel Dempster, share their experiences living with brain tumors, shedding light on their journeys, medical struggles, and the unexpected bond they have formed through their diagnoses.

The Initial Diagnosis

At just 8 years old, Lachlan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Swift action from surgeons led to a successful recovery, leaving his family in Stonehaven, Scotland, hopeful that such an ordeal would never repeat itself. However, six years later, his younger cousin Hazel, living in Kirkcudbright, started experiencing intense headaches. After a referral to get an MRI, it became clear that she faced a similar fate.

“Imagine if both of us had brain tumors,” Lachlan joked during a call meant to ease Hazel’s nerves before her first MRI. Unfortunately, within days, 12-year-old Hazel underwent emergency neurosurgery to drain cerebrospinal fluid caused by a tumor larger than a golf ball.

Unexpected Bonds

“It was a huge shock because the odds of two cousins having brain tumors are minuscule,” Hazel, now 16, recalls. “But I think I have a closer relationship with Lachlan because it’s something we both relate to, and no one else in our lives understands it.” Both teens now live with their respective tumors, which are not operable due to their locations in the brain.

Though it’s uncertain if their conditions are linked genetically, they consider it just “bad luck” for their family to face this twice. “To be honest, we just joke about it… I don’t know if it’s a defense mechanism,” Hazel explained. “Having a brain tumor is a part of me; it’s not something serious or a big problem. It’s as much a part of me as my arm or leg.” Hazel has an optic chiasm pilocytic astrocytoma, a slow-growing tumor that pressures the optic nerve, affecting her vision.

Ongoing Medical Journey

Since her first surgery, Hazel has undergone six additional operations, including exhausting chemotherapy that brought along various side effects, like prolonged nerve pain that affected her mobility.

“It feels like you’re wearing big winter gloves all the time, so you can’t feel what you’re doing,” she said, referring to the challenges of simple tasks like zipping a jacket or tying shoelaces. With a weakened immune system, she had to be cautious about infections, often missing typical childhood experiences. “I went to a birthday party with trampolines in Carlisle and had to sit in the café because I wasn’t allowed to jump on them,” Hazel shared.

Adjusting to Life

Hazel currently manages her condition with daily oral chemotherapy, allowing her to maintain a relatively normal life filled with regular medical appointments. After years of being unable to travel due to medical commitments, her family finally enjoyed an ambitious train trip across Europe last summer. Hazel has also excelled in her studies and received recognition as a young leader in her Scout troop, earning the Anonymous Hero award from her Scout leader.

“I don’t really think about what I’m doing, like going to Scout camps while managing my treatment and taking medications in a tent. I don’t consider it anything special; it’s just my life,” she said. “But it’s nice that others see it as something bigger.” Hazel’s tumor remains stable, although it won’t shrink.

Lachlan’s Perspective

Lachlan, now a first-year student at the University of Aberdeen, attempts not to think about his brain tumor, a rare condition known as tectal glioma. A CT scan revealed the benign mass after he developed minor strabismus and experienced occasional severe headaches. “I remember going to the hospital. I remember the first MRI. I remember the diagnosis. I was told I had a tumor, and the hydrocephalus could kill me if left untreated,” he recounted.

His mother, Claire, assures that the news was not delivered too harshly. The following day, he was transferred to the old Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh for an urgent operation to remove the accumulated cerebrospinal fluid.

Life After Diagnosis

“I woke up [from the operation] and experienced the worst pain of my life, and nothing has compared since,” the 19-year-old reflected. “For days, I couldn’t move my head properly because of the pain; it was one of the worst times of my life.” He vividly remembers waking up in the ward and realizing his mother was gone, which left him feeling scared and alone.

Since then, Lachlan has experienced difficulties resulting from the tumor, including dyspraxia, impacting his physical coordination and cognitive processing speed. “Sometimes, it takes me longer to comprehend a question in an exam because the tumor holds me back,” he explained. “My potential will always be less than it could have been without this issue, which frustrates me. But I have managed to cope well in spite of my limitations.” He is pursuing studies in English Literature, Film, and Visual Culture, aspiring to become a Hollywood director.

Turning Pain into Purpose

The experience of Lachlan and Hazel has significantly impacted their family, including their aunt, Emma Christie, who has taken action by raising over $4,000 for a brain tumor charity while promoting her latest thriller novel. “I’ve often felt powerless in the face of a life-changing diagnosis, but by supporting the charity and helping raise funds for research, I feel like I’m transforming pain into positive action,” she expressed.

Conclusion

Lachlan and Hazel’s experiences with brain tumors demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their stories are not just about struggles but also about hope, connection, and finding strength in shared experiences.

• Lachlan was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 8, followed by cousin Hazel’s diagnosis six years later.
• Both teenagers live with tumors that are not operable due to their location.
• Hazel’s journey includes multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, while Lachlan manages his own challenges as a university student.
• Their aunt has raised funds for brain tumor research, showcasing the family’s commitment to turning adversity into positive change.