For most of her life, Evangeline Fabia had no idea she was living with a rare condition in her brain.
There were no obvious warning signs. No symptoms that made her think something might be wrong.
Then, in her forties, it started with something seemingly minor: an eye twitch.
“Everyone gets an occasional eye twitch, right?” Evangeline recalls.
But this one didn’t go away.
One week passed. Then two. Then three.
By the fourth week, Evangeline knew something felt different.
When a Small Symptom Became Something More
At the time, Evangeline was living a life she loved. After years working in television, she had spent nearly a decade working aboard cruise ships.
Her career had taken her around the world, introducing her to new places, experiences and people.
But gradually, the eye twitch began to change.
The twitching spread down one side of her face and developed into noticeable facial spasms. Evangeline also began experiencing neck pain, fatigue, dizziness and occasional fainting spells.
“Some days, I simply didn’t feel like myself,” she says.
She sought medical care, but initially there wasn’t a clear explanation for her symptoms. Stress, lack of sleep and diet were among the possible causes suggested to her.
Evangeline appreciated the efforts to help, but she still felt something wasn’t right.
“When symptoms don’t fit neatly into a box, it can be easy to question yourself,” she says. “You start wondering if maybe you’re overreacting or imagining things.”
Still, something kept telling her to continue looking for answers.
“Keep seeking,” she remembers thinking.
So she did.
Finding a Doctor Who Listened
As Evangeline’s facial spasms became more noticeable and her pain intensified, she visited the doctor aboard the cruise ship where she was working.
This time, she felt heard.
“He listened to the symptoms. He listened to my concerns. And most importantly, he took them seriously.”
The doctor recommended further evaluation, beginning a process that eventually led Evangeline to a neurologist and an MRI.
Then came the words she never expected to hear:
“You have a brain tumor.”
Evangeline was diagnosed with an epidermoid cyst, a rare, typically benign and slow-growing lesion that can be present from birth.
Suddenly, the symptoms that had been so difficult to explain had an explanation.
Facing Brain Surgery
On December 2, 2024, Evangeline underwent a six-hour craniotomy to remove the tumor.
She spent 10 days in the hospital.
Before she was discharged, Evangeline developed facial paralysis on one side of her face, adding another challenge to an already difficult recovery.
Everyday tasks suddenly required more effort.
“There were moments of frustration, fear and uncertainty,” she says.
And recovery wasn’t a straight line.
It included physical therapy, occupational therapy, follow-up appointments, setbacks and something Evangeline discovered she would need in abundance: patience.
“More patience than I ever thought I possessed.”
Some days, progress felt painfully slow. There were times when Evangeline wondered whether she would ever feel like herself again.
Eventually, she made a decision about how she wanted to approach the road ahead.
“I was going to fight forward, not backward.”
Learning to Advocate for Herself
Evangeline’s experience left her with a lesson she now wants to share with others: pay attention to changes in your body and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
“Advocate for yourself,” she says. “If something feels wrong, continue asking questions. Seek a second opinion. Keep searching for answers.”
She also wants people facing a brain tumor diagnosis to know that hearing the words “brain tumor” does not tell the entire story.
Every tumor and every person’s experience is different.
“There is hope,” Evangeline says. “There are survivors. I am one of them.”
She remains grateful to her surgeon, family and friends, her faith—and especially the physician who took the time to listen to her concerns.
Today, Evangeline continues moving forward with a renewed appreciation for everyday life.
“I carry my story as a reminder of how strong we can be when faced with the unexpected.”
