Life-saving surgery to remove brain tumour wiped out all of woman’s childhood memories

A young woman has told of how all her childhood memories were wiped out, including any recognition of her parents, after she had life-saving surgery to remove a brain tumour.

Weronika Fafinska, 23, was diagnosed with a grade 2 diffuse astrocytoma brain tumour in February 2014 when she was just 14.

She had most of the tumour removed during surgery in February 2014 – but when she came round she didn’t even recognise her parents, Robert and Kate Bomba, who were sitting at her bedside.

Weronika Fafinska, 23, was diagnosed with a grade 2 diffuse astrocytoma brain tumour in February 2014 when she was just 14

Weronika had most of the tumour removed during surgery in February 2014 – but when she came round she didn’t even recognise her parents who were sitting at her bedside

Weronika, from Edinburgh, said: ‘In the car going home, I was sick three times because, in my mind, I had never been in a car before.

‘I was so scared because I didn’t know where I was going.

‘When we got to the house, I didn’t recognise it.

‘I didn’t recognise my bedroom, and I didn’t like anything in there, such as my clothes.

‘I didn’t know what anything was.

‘I didn’t know that an oven got hot, or what a football was, but I was able to pick things up, such as my maths timetables, right away.

Weronika, pictured recently with her parents Robert and Kate Bomba.

‘When I returned to school, there were hundreds of people and I didn’t know anyone, not even my closest friends.’

In 2012, Weronika went deaf in her right ear and an MRI scan later revealed she had a brain tumour. 

Weronika’s tumour remained stable for seven years but in March 2021, a scan revealed it had grown, but not enough for it to be operated on.

Since then, scans in August 2021, March 2022, and August 2022 have all shown slight growth.

Weronika said: ‘The uncertainty of how it’s growing and if the treatment will work has really got to me this year.

Weronika in 2013. In 2012, Weronika went deaf in her right ear and an MRI scan later revealed she had a brain tumour

Weronika re-learning how to ski in 2018. In February this year, she took part in Brain Tumour Research’s 10,000 steps a day challenge to raise money for the charity

‘I’m having to think about things that normal 23-year-olds shouldn’t, such as is there any point in getting married, can I have kids and, if so, what will happen if I don’t win against my tumour?

‘So, it’s a lot to deal with right now.’

In February, Weronika took part in Brain Tumour Research’s 10,000 steps a day challenge to raise money for the charity.

Next month she is taking on the 100 Squats or Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge, to raise more money and awareness.

She said: ‘I’m really looking forward to the challenge but I haven’t been physically active for some time so I am nervous to see how I will cope with it.

‘I’m struggling right now to keep myself occupied, so I decided to take part in this to have a distraction and to boost my mental health in raising the awareness around brain tumours and remembering that there are charities like this that are trying to help people like me.

Weronika with her partner Cameron Somerville. She said: ‘I’m having to think about things that normal 23-year-olds shouldn’t, such as is there any point in getting married, can I have kids’

‘Brain Tumour Research gives me hope that people are trying to find a cure and that will hopefully help save lives.’

Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: ‘We’re really grateful to Weronika for taking part in the 100 Squats or Star Jumps a Day in November Challenge, as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Weronika who are forced to fight this awful disease.

‘I would encourage anyone who is able to take part in the challenge to do so.

‘Not only is it fun, but it gets you fit whilst raising vital funds to help find a cure for brain tumours.’