Cameron Ferenchik of Atlanta was eagerly beginning her career as a pediatric ICU nurse when her life took an unexpected turn in October 2024. Earlier that fall, Cameron, 23, noticed that the lymph nodes in her neck were swollen. She was curious, though not worried, because she did not have any other symptoms.
After the swollen glands persisted for two months, she visited her primary care provider.
“My PCP was initially not concerned, but as she continued her examination, I sensed her demeanor change,” Cameron said. “She ordered a CT scan of my head and neck to be performed STAT.”
The CT report came back with an unexpected finding.
“It basically said that my lymph nodes looked healthy, but they found a mass in my brain,” Cameron added.
She underwent a brain MRI two days later that confirmed a tumor near her pineal gland in the center of her brain. Cameron was shocked and scared.
The day after being referred to Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Brain Tumor Program, Cameron was evaluated by a neurosurgeon at Northside Hospital Forsyth. She was then seen by Dr. Jim Robinson, a brain tumor expert at Northside Atlanta, and underwent her first surgery to place a shunt to allow cerebrospinal fluid to drain and relieve hydrocephalus.
The day after surgery, Cameron underwent a lumbar puncture to check her cerebrospinal fluid for cancer cells. Luckily, the results showed it was highly unlikely the tumor was malignant (cancerous).
In late January 2025, Dr. Robinson operated to remove the tumor. Although he was able to remove most of it, its location made it too dangerous to remove entirely. Samples of the tumor were sent to pathology at both Northside and an outside laboratory, where additional, in-depth testing was performed.
The testing revealed Cameron’s tumor was a Grade 1 glioneuronal tumor — a very rare, though nonaggressive and slow-growing, tumor that often affects young adults. This was positive news for Cameron, who was recovering well from the surgery.
Going forward, Dr. Robinson will monitor the remaining tumor in her brain with annual MRIs. Radiation to the tumor is a possibility at some point, but for now, they will watch and wait.
Today, Cameron is thriving as a pediatric ICU nurse. She only missed two months of work throughout her recovery.
She has a profound appreciation for the outstanding care she received at Northside — from her PCP who ordered a CT scan right away, to her surgeon and to all the nurses who cared for her with such tenderness.
“The nursing team who cared for me following my first brain surgery all signed a card for me and brought balloons,” Cameron said. “Everyone has been really awesome!”
“I never expected anything like this to happen to me, and sometimes, I do wish it could just go away.
“This is something that will likely be part of me for most of my life, and that can feel heavy at times,” Cameron added. “But mostly, I am deeply grateful for my outcome. I have no neurological deficits, an amazing medical team behind me, and a beautiful life ahead of me.
“This experience has made me a more compassionate nurse. Many of my young patients have had brain tumors, and I can relate to them and their families in a new and special way.”
And what about those swollen lymph nodes?
“The swollen glands were unrelated to the brain tumor; they were simply the catalyst that sent me to my PCP in the first place,” Cameron said.
Her advice to others: “Pay attention to your bodies, and if something is off, please get it checked by your doctor!”
Learn more about the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Brain Tumor Program.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
