Australian actress and social media star Alea O’Shea has revealed she has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Sharing the news to her 300,000 combined followers, she said the past few weeks have been nothing short of ‘insane’.
The 25-year-old, best known for her role as Darcy Callahan on Home and Away between 2011–2014 and again from 2016–2017, shared her thoughts in a video posted across her channels.
Although clearly shocked at her recent diagnosis, she promised fans she would be open about her condition as she prepares to undergo treatment.
‘This is a video I obviously thought I’d never have to make, but I’ve recently been diagnosed with brain cancer,’ she began.
‘Saying that like, a hook, is insane. It’s been a crazy few weeks.’
Alea explained she underwent a biopsy on her birthday, and has been ‘waiting for results in a bit of limbo’ ever since.
‘Now that I finally have some clarity, I just want to share what’s going on.
Australian actress and social media star Alea O’Shea has revealed she has been diagnosed with brain cancer at just 25 years old
Alea first brushed off small symptoms like an uneven smile and mild migraines, but things worsened while working in the US. After losing feeling in her fingers and toes, her physiotherapist urged her to get a brain scan – which led to her diagnosis
‘I’m choosing to be open and honest about this online, because I want to live my life as normally as possible while I’m fighting this.’
Alea revealed that her ordeal began around six weeks ago with tiny changes she initially brushed off.
‘I noticed that my smile was a little uneven, and it felt harder to talk [and] get my words out,’ she said.
‘I had a few migraines, but nothing scary.’
However things escalated rapidly while she was recently in the the United States working.
‘While I was in LA I lost feeling in two of my fingers, which then crept into my wrist and then my toe,’ she explained.
At first, Alea assumed it was something minor, like a pinched nerve, so she went to her physiotherapist to have it checked out.
‘He immediately realised it was beyond his scope and sent me to get a brain scan. And that’s how we found it.’
The 25-year-old is best known for her role as Darcy Callahan on Home and Away between 2011–2014 and again from 2016–2017 (pictured)
The actress is now urging others to trust their gut when their body feels ‘off’, and to advocate for themselves when seeking help.
‘When something feels off even slightly, pay attention to it and find the right professionals who will take you seriously.’
Despite the news, Alea said she is still able to walk and move, but the left side of her body has been affected, and may get worse before it gets better.
‘Can I flip you off? No. Thumbs up? No. Or hold things? No,’ she joked.
‘But the good news is, where it is on my brain isn’t going to affect my personality. I’m still going to be as hilarious, and have the gift of the gab.’
Alea bravely bared her thoughts in a video posted across her social media channels
After surgery, doctors have warned her about potential complications, as well as the possibility of losing her hair and paralysis down the left side of her body, but they would ‘have to play it by ear’.
‘So, in the coming months, I might be doing videos one handed. I might disappear when I need to, but mostly, I’m going to be showing up as me every single day that I can,’ she said.
Despite the devastating diagnosis, Alea told fans she feels ‘genuinely so blessed’ thanks to the support around her.
She also thanked her long-time followers for sticking by her.
‘To everyone who follows me and has been invested in my journey thus far, regardless, thank you so much for being here. And thank you for staying through this chapter.’
But Alea stressed the diagnosis will not define her, nor become her ‘whole personality.’
‘It’s just another part of my story, ‘ she concluded in one of her clips that has now amassed more than 230,000 views in a matter of days.
‘And if it can bring some perspective, comfort, or positivity to other people out there going through it, whilst helping me get through it, that’s all I could ever want.’
