Victoria Vesce, 31 said she wouldn’t be here today if her mom hadn’t noticed she had been more fatigued than usual, off-balance, flushed and hard of hearing

A former NBA cheerleader credits her mother’s intuition for saving her life from a rare brain tumor.

Victoria Vesce, 31, was a cheerleader for the Charlotte Hornets when her mom started noticing four strange differences in her appearance.

She was told she looked fatigued, imbalanced, was flushing, and seemed to have hearing difficulties. And it led to the discovery of her serious health condition.

She told Surrey Live: “My mum had an intuition that something wasn’t right with me. She noticed I was more fatigued than usual, and my energy levels didn’t match my normally vibrant personality.

“There were subtle changes in my demeanour and appearance – things only a mother could spot. She kept urging me to see a doctor, even though I tried to downplay what I was feeling.”

Victoria, who hails from West Palm Beach, Florida, initially dismissed her persistent headaches, dizziness, and hearing issues as stress or tiredness.

The former model had her surgery at the Duke University Hospital in North Carolina ( 
Image:
Victoria Vesce)
Despite juggling a demanding career, travel, and staying active, she realised her body was signaling for help.

Her mother’s instincts were crucial in her being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017, leading to a grueling surgery where part of her skull was removed, followed by 30 rounds of experimental radiation treatment. She survived her non-cancerous multiple paragangliomas diagnosis and now uses her 273,000-follower Instagram platform to urge others to prioritise their health.

In a heartfelt plea, she advised: “Trust your body and don’t ignore the signs it’s giving you. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice – even if you think it’s minor.

“Early detection can save lives, and being proactive about your health is never overreacting. You know yourself better than anyone, so listen to those instincts.”

She got a quicker diagnosis thanks to her observant mum ( 
Image:
Victoria Vesce)
Victoria, who has since ventured into social media marketing with her Victoria Vesce agency, credits the harrowing ordeal with teaching her the importance of having supportive people in her life. She constantly emphasises that health is our most precious possession and expresses eternal gratitude to her mother for her life-saving intervention.

But the Covid-19 pandemic brought tragedy when her mother passed away suddenly, leaving Victoria without a chance for a final farewell. The former law clerk and Sports Illustrated model expressed her deep appreciation, saying: “Words can’t describe how thankful I am to my mum.

“I miss her every single day. She didn’t just give me life – she saved it when I couldn’t see the danger myself.

She was left with a huge scar after the op (