For Jade-Marie Clark, what began as minor annoyances, an eye twitch here, a nagging headache there turned out to be a sign of something far more serious than stress or pregnancy hormones. The 32-year-old mother of two from Scotland would eventually be diagnosed with a rare, noncancerous tumor that paralyzed part of her face, robbing her of her ability to smile and forever changing her understanding of her health.Clark first began experiencing symptoms in March 2020, during her first pregnancy. She had persistent ear pain, which doctors initially attributed to a common ear infection. After she gave birth, the symptoms faded. When they resurfaced three years later, this time during her second pregnancy, they took a slightly different form—headaches, twitching in one eye, and occasional facial discomfort.At the time, she was studying to become a nursery teacher, balancing pregnancy, coursework, and family life. Like many women juggling multiple responsibilities, Clark wrote off her symptoms as the result of stress and hormonal changes. It wasn’t until she lost sensation in the corner of her lips that she became concerned enough to see a doctor.“I brushed everything off,” Clark recalls. “When you're busy, especially pregnant and in college, you chalk a lot of things up to stress.”Her general practitioner quickly referred her to a hospital, where an MRI scan revealed the unthinkable: acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma. While technically noncancerous, this rare tumor can have devastating effects if left untreated. It grows on the vestibulocochlear nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain and is responsible for hearing and balance.Clark said she “burst into tears” when doctors said the word tumor. “You always think this kind of thing happens to someone else. I thought I was going to die,” she said.Although acoustic neuromas typically grow slowly, they can exert pressure on nearby structures—especially as they increase in size—leading to hearing loss, ringing in the ear, balance issues, facial numbness, and in severe cases, brainstem compression. In rare situations, they become life-threatening.Clark’s diagnosis came three months into her pregnancy, and her doctors advised against undergoing surgery until after she gave birth. That left her in limbo—worried about the tumor’s growth while also trying to stay calm for the sake of her unborn baby.“This sounds terrible, but I remember thinking, I hope the tumor grows just enough so I can get the surgery sooner and get back to my life,” she confessed.In April 2024, shortly after giving birth to her second son, Clark underwent surgery to remove the tumor. The operation was successful in removing the growth—but not without cost.During surgery, nerves controlling facial muscles were damaged. Clark was left with facial palsy, a condition that paralyzed the right side of her face. She could no longer smile or fully close her right eye.“I didn’t want to leave the house. I didn’t want anyone to see me. I was depressed, anxious, and grieving the way I used to look,” she said.Facial palsy is more than cosmetic. It affects daily functions blinking, speaking, eating, even emotional expression. The psychological toll can be as severe as the physical. Clark now awaits nerve transfer surgery, a procedure that could potentially restore up to 80% of facial sensation.What Is Acoustic Neuroma?Acoustic neuroma, or vestibular schwannoma, is a benign tumor originating from the Schwann cells surrounding the vestibular nerve. Although it doesn't spread like cancer, its slow growth can lead to significant health issues. Common symptoms include:Progressive hearing loss (typically in one ear)Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)Unsteadiness or dizzinessFacial numbness or weaknessHeadaches and pressure behind the earIf untreated, large tumors can press against the brainstem or cerebellum, leading to severe neurological complications.Diagnosis is usually confirmed through MRI scans, and treatment options range from monitoring small tumors, to surgical removal, or radiation therapy like Gamma Knife radiosurgery.How Stress Masks Deadly Diseases?Clark’s story also highlights how chronic stress can muddy the waters of diagnosis. Eye twitching and headaches are common signs of stress, but they can also be red flags for underlying neurological issues.Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, increasing cortisol and adrenaline levels. When prolonged, this state can lead to immune suppression, digestive problems, cardiovascular issues, and neurological symptoms. Many people especially women, are prone to dismiss early symptoms as burnout or anxiety, often delaying essential care.We’re conditioned to normalize stress, especially in high-demand life stages like pregnancy or career transitions. But as Clark’s experience shows, not every twitch or headache is harmless. Listening to your body, and seeking care when something feels “off,” can make all the difference. Clark’s experience offers several takeaways:Listen to Your Body – Recurrent or escalating symptoms need attention, no matter how minor they seem.Don’t Dismiss Neurological Signs – Numbness, twitching, and hearing changes should always be evaluated.Mental Health Matters – Conditions like facial palsy affect self-image and emotional well-being just as much as physical function.Stress Isn’t Always the Culprit – Sometimes it's a signal, not a cause.As Clark awaits reconstructive surgery, she hopes to regain her smile—but more importantly, she wants others to learn from her journey.“This could have been caught sooner,” she said. “I just want people to trust themselves more, and push for answers when something doesn’t feel right.”