Davina McCall diagnosed with rare brain tumour as she undergoes surgery to remove it
by Megan Martin · RSVP LiveDavina McCall has been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour and will undergo surgery to remove the 14mm wide cyst.
Taking to Instagram on Friday morning, Davina appeared with her partner Michael Douglas to explain how she stumbled upon the tumour after being offered a health scan in return for doing a talk for a menopause company.
"Hi, so I’m posting this it will be Friday morning. I’m posting it because a few months ago I did a menopause talk for a company and they offered me a health scan in return, which I thought I was going to ace, but it turned out I had a benign brain tumour called a colloid cyst, which is very rare.
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She added: "Three in a million! So I slightly put my head in the sand for a while, and then I saw quite a few neurosurgeons, I got lots of opinions. I realised that I have to get it taken out.
"It’s big for the space – it fills the space. It’s 14mm wide. And it needs to come out because if it grows it would be bad.”
She said: "It will be removed via a craniotomy – they go through the top of my head here, and through the two halves of my brain to the middle, get the cyst, empty it, take it out, and Bob’s your uncle. So say a prayer for me. I am in good spirits.”
Her partner Michael appeared on the video to reassure fans: "Just letting people know that I will have my eye on her throughout this procedure! In fact I offered to do the operation, just to make sure it was done properly! They wouldn’t let me. She’s in very good hands”.
Davina admitted her emotions have been “up and down” since the diagnosis, adding “we’ve been through a lot”.
“Also, I’m okay. It’s been up and down, obviously. We’ve been through a lot," Davina added.
Keeping spirits high, Michael joked: "But the important thing is her parting has stayed in the same place. My job will be safe."
Davina explained that she'll have a long hospital stay after the surgery, telling viewers: "The recovery, I’m going to be in hospital for about nine days, and then I’m going to be going home, but I’m gonna be off my phone for a while. So Michael might fill you in.”
Michael quipped: “Yeah I could maybe do the odd post, dress up as you, do some menopause talks and stuff like that. Keep everybody in the loop," making his partner giggle.
But Davina urged fans: "He’s going to let you guys know how I’m doing. But I don’t want you to worry about me, I’m doing that enough as it is.”
“Yes there’s plenty of worrying going on here," her beau replied.
“I’m in a good space and I have all the faith in the world in my surgeon and his team, and I am handing the reins over to him. He knows what he’s doing, and I’m gonna do the getting better bit after," she added.
Signing off with: "See you on the other side!"
Michael shared the video on Davina's page, captioning it: "Hey everyone. Michael here. @davinamccall will be 'off grid' for a bit while she recovers from this brain operation. She is in great shape and in very good hands. I’ll do the odd update from her account here for anyone interested.
"I’m sure she’ll read all the comments when she’s able to so feel free to send love. The support of people is amazingly powerful. Have a great day everyone."