In a touching and candid revelation, TV presenter Davina McCall shared a unique way of coping with her health scare—by naming her brain tumor.

McCall, who has long been a beloved public figure in the UK, discovered she had a rare colloid cyst in her brain, which, although benign, came with a serious risk of sudden death.

Instead of succumbing to fear, McCall found a way to bring some levity to her situation.

She named the tumor “Jeffrey” and even threw it a birthday party.

During an emotional podcast episode on her show Begin Again, McCall explained, “I called my brain tumor Jeffrey.

I needed to name it something, and I didn’t know anyone personally named Jeffrey, so it felt like the right name.”

The lighthearted approach didn’t stop there—she held a Jeffrey-themed birthday celebration, where her boyfriend, Michael Douglas, played the piano and sang.

“We all gathered and talked about my fears, but also my determination to overcome it,” she shared.

Facing Fear and Preparing for the Worst

As McCall prepared for the life-saving surgery in November 2024, she admitted to feeling immense fear about the possibility of not making it through.

In an effort to ensure her children would be cared for, she took steps to organize her affairs.

“I wrote letters to my children, just in case,” McCall revealed. “I wanted to make sure they knew what I hoped for them if I didn’t make it.”

The mother-of-three reflected on her approach to facing fear with resilience, saying, “I knew I could handle it because I’m strong mentally.”

She also mentioned that her health had always felt excellent prior to the discovery, with no signs of the cyst causing any issues.

“I thought I was the healthiest person around, until I had a full body scan.

That’s when they told me there was something they needed to talk to me about,” McCall said.

A Health Journey Shared with Positivity

Despite the seriousness of her condition, McCall was adamant about avoiding pity from others. “I

didn’t want the drama,” she explained. “When people heard, they thought I might die.

But I didn’t want anyone looking at me with that concern.

I just wanted to stay positive and focus on getting better.”

What is a Colloid Cyst?

For those unfamiliar, a colloid cyst is a slow-growing, gelatinous tumor found near the center of the brain.

While most patients experience symptoms like headaches, some may also suffer from memory issues, vertigo, and even double vision.

When large enough, the cyst can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid movement, which increases pressure inside the skull, leading to a heightened risk of sudden death.

Surgery is often required to address the issue, as McCall experienced firsthand.

A Fresh Perspective on Life After Surgery

As McCall recovers, she speaks about her new perspective on life.

“I feel like life’s never going to be the same, but in a good way,” she said. “A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.

I encourage everyone to start their bucket list now, don’t wait until it’s too late.”

In a previous Instagram post, McCall also urged her followers to consider private health checks, especially if they can afford it.

“It was the health check I did that saved my life,” she said, acknowledging the importance of preventative medicine.

“The NHS also offers great options for check-ups, and I strongly recommend getting them.”

McCall expressed her gratitude for the staff who helped her through her health journey.

“Thank you to everyone at the clinic,” she said, her voice full of appreciation. “You probably saved my life.”

Looking Ahead

With her health improving daily, McCall’s optimism shines through.

“I’m feeling much more like myself now, and I’m so grateful for everything.

I’m looking forward to Christmas and the future,” she said, concluding on a hopeful note.

Her latest podcast episodes continue to offer insight into her journey, with new episodes of Begin Again being released every Thursday at 8 a.m. GMT.

In sharing her personal health scare, McCall has inspired many to approach their own health with mindfulness and gratitude.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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