Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Cancer-Hit US Couple Opens Up On ‘Nightmare’ Experience

A Cancer-hit US couple in North Dakota has shared their ‘nightmare’ experience with dual diagnosis of the deadly disease and parenting their three children.

Spencer Eddy, a 39-year-old father of three, suffered from dizzy spells for years. While doctors dismissed the condition as vertigo, it turned out to be a brain tumor, People reported.

MRI scans in April 2024 revealed that he had a tumor the size of a lime in his brain. Further scans and tests at Mayo Clinic in October confirmed medulloblastoma -- a malignant tumor that is located on the part of the brain that controls coordination and movement.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is most common in children, but can occur in adults. 

“When we found out that Spencer had a brain tumor, we were terrified,” said Jolene, his wife. “They said the cancer was blocking the fluid that flows from your vein to your spinal cord. They said they didn't know how he was still walking and talking, and how he hadn't had a stroke."

A week later, Spencer underwent a 10-hour surgery, and doctors were able to remove 85 percent of the tumor. Along with radiation and chemotherapy, he also needed speech and physical therapy to relearn how to walk and talk, People reported.

What came as a double blow to the couple was Jolene’s <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/breast-cancer">breast cancer</a> diagnosis in April 2025.

“Whilst we were in the hospital, I noticed a small pea-sized lump under my armpit, but I put it to the back of my mind, because of everything that was going on with Spencer,” she recalled. “Doctors said it was probably just a cyst, but I asked for it to be removed anyway, and when it came back from testing, I found out it was breast cancer. I was absolutely floored.” 

The doting parents “were so devastated and scared about what would happen to their kids”, if both of them die.

Following her diagnosis, Jolene was given hormone blockers and underwent a double mastectomy while Spencer was still undergoing chemotherapy.

Jolene struggled after the surgery and was vomiting and passing out frequently. She ultimately needed a blood transfusion and was able to recover. 

It was hard for Jolene to take care of the family as Spencer could not walk well or drive.

"We're living most people's nightmare, but we're feeling optimistic about the future,” she said. “We have a long life, and we're going to fight for it; we're not going to give up.” 

Spencer completed treatment in April 2025 and now has no evidence of cancer. Jolene also has no evidence of cancer. The couple now goes to appointments with their oncologists together as they hope to ensure their tumors don't grow back, the report said

Can A Brain Tumor Cause Dizziness?

While dizziness by itself is not a common symptom of a brain tumor, some tumors can trigger headaches and bouts of nausea and vomiting that may be associated with a dizzy feeling.

Dizziness, also called vertigo, is however, associated with tumors that develop in the cerebellum—the part of the brain that controls movement.  

Medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor, forms when cells in the cerebellum develop changes in their DNA. These changes cause the cells to grow and multiply quickly, as per the Mayo Clinic.

Common signs and symptoms of medulloblastoma may include:

<ul><li>Dizziness.</li><li>Double vision or other vision changes.</li><li>Headaches, which are often worse in the morning.</li><li>Nausea or vomiting.</li><li>Poor coordination.</li><li>Tiredness.</li><li>Difficulty with balance or an unsteady walk.</li></ul>

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A Cancer-hit US couple in North Dakota has shared their ‘nightmare’ experience with dual diagnosis of the deadly disease and parenting their three children.  Spencer Eddy, a 39-year-old father of three, suffered from dizzy spells for years. While doctors dismissed the condition as vertigo, it turned out to be a brain tumor, People reported.MRI scans in April 2024 revealed that he had a tumor the size of a lime in his brain. Further scans and tests at Mayo Clinic in October confirmed medulloblastoma -- a malignant tumor that is located on the part of the brain that controls coordination and movement.According to the Mayo Clinic, it is most common in children, but can occur in adults. “When we found out that Spencer had a brain tumor, we were terrified,” said Jolene, his wife. “They said the cancer was blocking the fluid that flows from your vein to your spinal cord. They said they didn't know how he was still walking and talking, and how he hadn't had a stroke." A week later, Spencer underwent a 10-hour surgery, and doctors were able to remove 85 percent of the tumor. Along with radiation and chemotherapy, he also needed speech and physical therapy to relearn how to walk and talk, People reported.What came as a double blow to the couple was Jolene’s breast cancer diagnosis in April 2025. “Whilst we were in the hospital, I noticed a small pea-sized lump under my armpit, but I put it to the back of my mind, because of everything that was going on with Spencer,” she recalled. “Doctors said it was probably just a cyst, but I asked for it to be removed anyway, and when it came back from testing, I found out it was breast cancer. I was absolutely floored.” The doting parents “were so devastated and scared about what would happen to their kids”, if both of them die. Following her diagnosis, Jolene was given hormone blockers and underwent a double mastectomy while Spencer was still undergoing chemotherapy. Jolene struggled after the surgery and was vomiting and passing out frequently. She ultimately needed a blood transfusion and was able to recover. It was hard for Jolene to take care of the family as Spencer could not walk well or drive. "We're living most people's nightmare, but we're feeling optimistic about the future,” she said. “We have a long life, and we're going to fight for it; we're not going to give up.”   Spencer completed treatment in April 2025 and now has no evidence of cancer. Jolene also has no evidence of cancer. The couple now goes to appointments with their oncologists together as they hope to ensure their tumors don't grow back, the report said Can A Brain Tumor Cause Dizziness? While dizziness by itself is not a common symptom of a brain tumor, some tumors can trigger headaches and bouts of nausea and vomiting that may be associated with a dizzy feeling. Dizziness, also called vertigo, is however, associated with tumors that develop in the cerebellum—the part of the brain that controls movement.  Medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor, forms when cells in the cerebellum develop changes in their DNA. These changes cause the cells to grow and multiply quickly, as per the Mayo Clinic.Common signs and symptoms of medulloblastoma may include:Dizziness.Double vision or other vision changes.Headaches, which are often worse in the morning.Nausea or vomiting.Poor coordination.Tiredness.Difficulty with balance or an unsteady walk.

cancer-hit us couple opens up on ‘nightmare’ experience

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Cancer-Hit US Couple Opens Up On ‘Nightmare’ Experience

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