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24-year-old Stephanie Dickinson knew there was something ailing her, but kept getting told otherwise by her doctors.
For nine months, Dickinson suffered from severe migraines, dizziness, and a sore neck. She went to see her own doctor, but they simply prescribed her painkillers meant to tackle “stress-related headaches.”
When this medication failed to improve her condition in any way, Dickinson sought out other doctors, in hopes that they would be able to provide her with more detailed, helpful information about her condition.
14 doctors later, Dickinson was still suffering from her migraine and didn’t have any more leads to pull on.
Then, in April 2013, she admitted herself to the hospital when her migraine began to overwhelm her and kept her from doing anything else. There, doctors put her on a drip but declared her well enough to return home just the following morning.
Hours later, Dickinson was discovered dead, in her bed, by her family members.
It’s only now, four years after Dickinson’s death, that coroners have come a conclusion about what caused her death.
Dickinson had been suffering from a brain tumor. None of her doctors had realized that her symptoms were all pointing in this direction, which ultimately led to many incorrect diagnoses and Dickinson’s death.
Investigators even determined that Dickinson’s tumor had been benign; if doctors had simply given her the appropriate treatment at her first visit, there was a 98% chance that she would have survived and fought off the tumor.
This realization is devastating for all of Dickinson’s friends and families to hear.
Dickinson’s best friend, Laura Aberdour, is finally speaking out about her experience watching her best friend’s health decline over time.
“We have all been left broken by what’s happened. It’s truly devastating,” she began. “It’s taken me until now to be strong enough to talk about it because it should never have happened. She was only 24. She didn’t need to die.”
Dickinson had complained to Aberdour often about her sore head, but because the women had only been 23 at the time, Aberdour hadn’t thought too much about it.
“I was only 23 at the time. I wasn’t too concerned,” she confessed. “I guess when you’re young you think you’re invincible – I never ever thought about anything as serious as a brain tumor.”
However, according to Aberdour, a brain tumor was something that Dickinson suspected and feared. “I do remember going to the gym with her one day, and she suggested that she might have a brain tumor,” Aberdour recalled.
“I remember saying to her, ‘Oh, don’t say that,’ but I do think she knew all along something wasn’t quite right. She persistently went to the doctors.”
Now that the truth has finally been brought to the fore, Aberdour maintains her stance. She wants people – particularly young women who have a higher chance of being discriminated against by male doctors – to stand up for themselves and their health when they suspect something is wrong.
Trust your gut instinct and continue seeking medical help if you’re not satisfied with your care.
The NHS, the healthcare system in the UK where Dickinson lived, has issued an apology on behalf of the hospitals that had failed to properly treat Dickinson. “We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Stephanie’s family and friends, and we fully support the work they are doing to raise awareness of the symptoms and consequences of brain tumours,” wrote medical director Brian Cook.
As for Dickinson’s friends, they’re honoring and remembering their late friend by organizing a charity event and fundraiser in her name. All of the proceeds from donations and ticket sales will go toward The Brain Tumor Charity, an organization that constantly progresses research about brain tumors, their symptoms, effects, and treatment methods.
Aberdour explains, “The aim of the Ladies Day is to keep Steph alive and fight for her. We need to do all we can to raise awareness of brain tumours and to get the message out there that if someone thinks they have one, don't back down.
“If you're not well, please get checked out.”
If you can, please donate to help their cause here. Our hearts go out to the Dickinson family and any of her loved ones affected during this time.
