Former Home and Away star Alea O'Shea has bravely detailed the severe and life-altering side effects of her ongoing treatment for brain cancer. The 25-year-old actress and social media influencer received her devastating diagnosis just two months ago and has since endured a gruelling regimen of brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
The Physical Toll of Treatment
In a recent and heartfelt update on Instagram, O'Shea disclosed that her most recent medical procedure has resulted in a paralysed left arm. She has also been experiencing significant hair loss, a common but distressing side effect of cancer therapy, which she documented in a candid video shared with her followers.
The young star explained that her ordeal began approximately six weeks ago with subtle symptoms she initially dismissed. "I noticed that my smile was a little uneven, and it felt harder to talk [and] get my words out," she recalled. While in Los Angeles for work, her condition rapidly worsened. "I lost feeling in two of my fingers, which then crept into my wrist and then my toe," Alea stated.
Maintaining Resilience Amidst the Struggle
Despite the shocking news and the physical challenges, Alea is striving to maintain a positive outlook. "I'm really just riding the waves, which is all you can do," she told Confidential. She highlighted one silver lining: the control over her work and schedule as a content creator. "It’s allowed me to work to my energy levels, listen to my body, and still maintain a strong sense of purpose," she said.
Although she can still walk and move, the left side of her body has been notably affected. With characteristic humour, she noted the practical difficulties, joking about being unable to give a thumbs up or hold items. Doctors had warned her of potential complications like hair loss and localised paralysis following surgery.
An Outpouring of Support and Gratitude
Alea, best known for playing Darcy Callahan on the iconic Australian soap between 2011–2014 and again from 2016–2017, expressed profound gratitude for the flood of support from fans and loved ones. She made the decision to be transparent about her brain cancer journey online last month, wanting to live as normally as possible while fighting the disease.
"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," she told her dedicated followers. Despite the devastating diagnosis, Alea emphasised that she feels "genuinely so blessed" thanks to the strong support network surrounding her.
