How Florida woman's selfie led to a brain tumour diagnosis

Megan Troutwine was stunned when a holiday photo led to the identification of a serious health problem.

In 2016 while on holiday in New York City, Megan (33) stopped beside a fountain near the Rockefeller Center to take a selfie.

When she looked at the picture, she was alarmed to notice that her eyelid was drooping. When she returned home to Florida after her trip Megan booked an appointment with her doctor and showed him the photo.

Doctors then discovered Meghan carries the PTEN gene mutation, putting her at greater risk for developing other cancers. (PHOTO: Instagram/its_me_megan_t)

The doctor immediately ordered an MRI, and as she was driving back home from getting the scan, she received a call. The results showed a benign mass inside her brain that was growing at a rapid rate. 

“I found out I had a meningioma,” she says. 

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Megan had surgery to remove the tumour at Tempa’s Moffitt Cancer Center, followed by 23 rounds of radiation therapy.

But to her disappointment, a few years later a follow-up scan revealed she'd developed another growth, known as a glioma.

Neuro-oncologist Dr Sepideh Mokhtari warned her that the tumour would gradually grow and she would require lifelong monitoring.

Megan with her parents at a church conference. (PHOTO: Instagram/ its_me_megan_t)

Megan says since 2017 she's undergone many procedures, including a craniotomy, treatment for meningioma, glioma and uterine cancer.

During this time it was discovered she carries a gene called PTEN, which increases the probability of her developing cancer. Megan now works at Tempa’s Moffitt Cancer Center as a health unit coordinator.

Though the last eight years of her life haven't been easy Megan is grateful for the people she has met on her journey.

“I’ve met some of the most genuine and inspiring people,” she says.

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“I wouldn’t trade where I am or what I've gone through for anything,”

Megan's health issues have inspired her to want to help others. (PHOTO: Instagram/ its_me_megan_t)

“So many people going through this don’t have that support system so to be a vessel for that is a blessing,” Megan adds.

She wants to continue helping people and plans on doing a degree in public health.

“I have a heart for people and am trying to help people in any way that I can,” she says. 

SOURCES: NEW YORK POST. COM, DAILY MAIL.COM, FOX13NEWS.COM