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A PhD student at the University of Indiana in Indianapolis was recently diagnosed with a pineal tumor, but it turned out to be something much different.
Initially diagnosed with a brain tumor, Yamini Karanam says she woke up one morning feeling like she had the worst hangover of her life. Karanam shared her experience with the tumor on her blog, which turned out to actually be a skeleton of her twin.
Yamini Karanam was bubbly and bright student before the tumor took over her life. (Photo Credit: Yamini Karaman)
For the past six months Karanam has suffered with the tumor and did not know how it was caused, what it was, or what her future held. She underwent surgery on April 15th and that is when doctors made the disturbing discovery. An embryonic twin was located inside her brain. Doctors removed what is called the “teratoma” from Karanam’s brain. The 26-year-old was stunned to learn what was really the cause of her problems, what she called her “evil twin sister”.
Yamini Karanam giving a presentation about her life with the tumor (Photo Credit: Yamini Karaman)
The twin had hair, teeth, and even bone but has now been successfully removed and Karanam is expected to make a full recovery. Her friends have started an online fundraising campaign to help Karanam with her recovery and it has already reached $35,000 as the community comes together to support her.
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