Antoniette Costa, a well-known singer-songwriter, faced a significant health crisis three years ago that dramatically impacted her life. She began to lose weight without any clear reason and felt persistently exhausted. Tasks that were once easy, like using an elliptical machine, became challenging, and she struggled with unusual anxiety that affected her daily life.
Concerned by her worsening symptoms, Costa visited several doctors. The third physician she consulted was particularly diligent, examining her blood work and suspecting a serious issue with her brain. This led to an MRI, which ultimately revealed a brain tumor.
Costa underwent surgery in July of the previous year to remove the tumor. Despite the difficult recovery process, she turned her experience into inspiration for her music. Her new song, “Crumbles (Soldiers Cry),” reflects on her illness and recovery, showcasing her resilience and dedication to her art.
During her MRI scan, Costa initially felt anxious but found solace in the machine’s sounds. She focused on these noises, mentally adding background singing to distract herself from the stress. This mental exercise unexpectedly inspired her to write the song “Pitupatter,” which appears on her latest album. The song’s lyrics include a line referencing the MRI equipment, a nod to how those sounds influenced her creativity.
Costa’s MRI findings revealed a significant medical issue: a brain tumor. Although it was small and initially manageable, the treatment proved draining and had severe effects on her health. Over the year, she faced mental upheaval, significant weight loss, and vision problems.
Realizing her previous treatment was ineffective, Costa sought a new doctor and facility. Her current neurosurgeon confirmed that the earlier treatment had failed, leading to a revised treatment plan and better management of her health. Costa openly discussed how her condition had deteriorated, with the tumor growing seven times larger than initially detected due to an error in interpreting the original MRI results.
Dr. Chandra Sen, a neurosurgeon at NYU Langone, performed the surgery in July 2023. Costa expressed significant anxiety before the procedure, with her primary concern being the potential loss of her singing ability, which is central to her identity and career.
