College Student Thought Severe Headaches Were School Stress Scans Revealed a Brain Tumor

Then one day last May, the pain from her severe headaches grew so intense it woke her out of her sleep. It was at this point she decided to go to the doctor to make sure everything was OK.

Doctors discovered a tumor called meningioma, which is a typically benign (non-cancerous) tumor found near the top of the brain.

"After seeing the scans, the doctors believe the tumor had been in there for about two years," Frost said.

"The main symptoms I was having were really strong pressure headaches, tightness in the head, around the eyes. And as it got worse, I started to feel really sick a lot of the time, but I just thought it was stress," she added.

Frost was immediately set up for surgery to remove the tumor and she said it took her about six weeks to make a full recovery and continue finishing her studies.

"The doctors said that if it had been found six weeks later…it could have been a different story," Frost said although she did not say what exactly would have happened had she waited longer before treatment.

Understanding Meningioma Brain Tumors

A meningioma is a "tumor that arises from the meninges," which are membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, according to Mayo Clinic. It is the most common type of tumor that forms in the head.

Most meningiomas are benign and won't spread to other parts of the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They are categorized into three different types:

• Grade 1 grows slowly and makes up 80% of the cases.
• Grade 2 is also noncancerous but grows more quickly.
• Grade 3 meningiomas are cancerous and can grow and spread quickly. However, these are rare, making up 1.7% of cases, Cleveland Clinic says.

Symptoms for meningioma vary depending on its location. Some common symptoms may include:

• Changes in vision
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hearing loss
• Memory Loss
• Loss of smell
• Seizures
• Weakness in your arms or legs

How Are Meningioma Tumors Treated?

Treatment options for meningiomas depend on your overall health, how fast the tumor grows and your age.

It's important to discuss with your doctor what the best treatment option may be for you. Here are some common treatment methods, according to Mayo Clinic.

• Wait and see approach, which is a treatment option when the meningioma is small and growing slowly without causing symptoms.
• Surgery is done to remove the meningioma completely if it's causing symptoms.
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

The Power of Support

Frost was able to graduate with her psychology degree despite her battle with a brain tumor. She credits her friends and family for supporting her during her journey.

"My family and friends were amazing. I can hands down say that if I didn't have them, I wouldn't have recovered as well, even from a mental health point of view,” Frost said.

“They were all so good at just reiterating the positives and being supportive.”

WATCH: Importance of getting emotional support.

It's important for cancer warriors to know they have a strong support group behind them. It helps them alleviate anxiety and depression as cancer treatments become more intense over time.

Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center told SurvivorNet that "there's a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation."

Knowing you have loved ones by your side at every step help you process those emotions and cope with your new reality during your journey.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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