At first, it seemed like nothing more than an annoying quirk—a teenage girl who couldn’t quench her thirst no matter how much she drank. But for 17-year-old Alissa Bowman, that constant craving for water turned out to be the first sign of something far more serious.
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A Thirst That Wouldn’t Go Away
Alissa had been drinking up to five liters of water a day, yet the sensation of thirst never left her. At her age, she couldn’t understand what was wrong. With her mother, Fran, by her side, she visited a doctor, who suspected diabetes, a common cause of excessive thirst. But blood tests quickly ruled that out.
A Holiday That Changed Everything
In the summer of 2023, while on vacation in Thailand, Alissa’s symptoms took a sharp turn. She wasn’t just thirsty anymore—she was constantly tired, struggled to get out of bed, and noticed her appetite increasing. By the time she returned to the UK, she was so unwell that hospitalisation was unavoidable.
The Rare and Alarming Diagnosis
An MRI scan delivered devastating news: Alissa had a cancerous brain tumor located in the center of her brain. The tumor had triggered diabetes insipidus, a rare condition that affects the pituitary gland and causes unrelenting thirst. The illness is so uncommon that it doesn’t even have a proper name.
Fran remembers the moment clearly: “I thought it was going to be type 2 diabetes, but when the doctors told us it was a brain tumor, we couldn’t believe it. These last two years have been the hardest of our lives, but Alissa is a fighter. She’s the bravest and most inspiring person I know.”
Fighting Back With Courage
Alissa began chemotherapy treatments every three weeks, and after several sessions, her tumor had shrunk by 90%, according to her mother. Inspired by her daughter’s resilience, Fran ran the London Marathon on April 27 in support of Brain Tumour Research, a charity funding vital research into brain cancer.
More Than a Medical Story
Alissa’s journey is not just about an illness—it’s about strength, perseverance, and love. Her case highlights how seemingly small symptoms can hide serious conditions, and how family support can make all the difference when life takes an unexpected turn.
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