How a life-altering diagnosis reshaped one Senior Manager’s outlook

In a world where corporate achievement is often prized above personal wellbeing, Josianne Aquilina’s story serves as a quiet, powerful counterpoint. The Assurance Senior Manager at PwC Middle East recently opened up about a deeply personal medical journey – one that began with a routine walk and ended with life-saving brain surgery.

“Today I had one final MRI,” she wrote in a widely-shared LinkedIn post, marking the end of an ordeal that began in early 2023. At the time, Ms Aquilina was simply walking her French bulldog, Marley, down a quiet Dubai street when he pulled the leash. In the split second that followed, she hit her head on a hidden metal pipe and collapsed.

Doctors initially suspected a concussion. But as further tests were conducted, something unexpected came to light: A rare, benign colloid cyst sitting in the third ventricle of her brain – a critical location that, if left untreated, could have caused sudden death.

“That fall might have saved my life,” she reflected. Although the cyst wasn’t caused by the accident, it was only through this seemingly random incident that it was discovered. “This story isn’t just mine… it’s a reminder that life whispers in unexpected ways. Through detours. Through animals. Through accidents that aren’t really accidents.”

Ms Aquilina lived with this knowledge for over a year, monitoring the cyst and hoping it would remain stable. But by May 2024, the tumour had doubled in size, leaving her with no choice but to undergo surgery – not once, but twice, before the year’s end.

The surgeries were not minor. Yet, incredibly, she scheduled them around her work commitments. In total, she took just six days of sick leave. “And just six days after my second surgery, I was already at the newly promoted Senior Manager training… physically present, mentally still catching up.”

She explained that most of her colleagues had no idea what she was going through – “and that’s okay,” she added. “I got quiet support where it mattered and focused on healing and moving forward.”

Ms Aquilina’s decision to speak publicly about her experience was not just a reflection of personal courage, but also a call for greater empathy in the workplace. “Behind every job title, there’s a human being. We all carry things that aren’t always visible… but we keep showing up.”

Her post has struck a chord with many across the business community. In an age when ‘resilience’ is a buzzword, her example provides something more grounded – a lived reminder that even high-performing professionals face invisible battles, and that compassion has a place in leadership.

She also had a word of advice for those who may be putting their health on the backburner: “Don’t delay your health. Work will always be there, but your body carries you through it all.”

As she closes this chapter of her life, Ms Aquilina leaves behind more than a scar or a corporate promotion. She leaves a lasting message for every professional: Success is not just about pushing through – it’s about pausing when it matters, listening to life’s quieter moments, and leading with empathy.