Cameron’s Diagnosis Journey

Hi, my name is Cameron and I’m a 20 year old Afro-Latina attending the University of California, Los Angeles. Around the age of 14 I began developing debilitating headaches/migraines that started off being triggered by stressful situations, then turned into an almost daily occurrence as the years passed. My previous primary care physician told me time and time again throughout the years I was “too stressed,” to seek therapy, and to take 1000 mg of Tylenol every time I felt a headache coming on. (For context, the longest migraine “episode” I’ve had has lasted two weeks straight.) After years of taking her medical advice seriously, I began to doubt her and, as if by fate, she resigned, and I was assigned a new PCP.

On a somewhat unrelated note, my new PCP referred me to an endometriosis specialist, and it was my new OBGYN who not only diagnosed me with endometriosis, but was the one who ultimately referred me to a neurologist. When seeing the neurologist, I felt heard, and most importantly, validated. He ordered an MRI the same month, and that is where my story gets more complex.

In our follow-up meeting, my neurologist informed me there is an unknown mass on the right side of my brain (not cancerous or a tumor, thankfully). He said he and the MRI technician believe I may have suffered a stroke at some point, although highly unlikely given my age and medical history. His other theory is that I have early symptoms of Multiple sclerosis or another autoimmune disorder. And of course, he doesn’t believe the mass is the cause of my headaches.

I found myself receiving a CT scan two days after receiving the information, and received the results a few days after: there were no abnormal findings, meaning the possibility of me having had a stroke are slim. This, however, does not answer the question of what the mass is. 


I’m in my fourth and final year of university, aiming to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in American Literature and Culture. I want to pursue graduate school right after. This information has put a large strain onto my mental health, as well as my future. I don’t know what the future holds for me but I do know that I want to graduate on time this June, and eventually work in publishing.

Any money raised will go towards gas needed to travel across different parts of Los Angeles to various doctor visits, upfront co-pays (average $30-90 depending), and any leftover payments for procedures and visits my insurance doesn’t cover. My neurologist believes this will be a year-long journey and I need all of the support I can get.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.