British Playboy model Kerri Parker had a 13.5 percent chance of surviving from brain cancer. After undergoing major surgery to remove the 4-centimeter tumor that had grown in her frontal lobe, Parker is simply happy to be alive. However, she noticed that her surgery did leave one rather severe side effect: a complete personality change.

Kerri Parker told The Mirror that she had always been a vivacious extrovert. “I used to love being in the limelight,” Parker explained. The 30-year-old began modeling in 2003, and for nearly a decade enjoyed jetting from country to country to pose for numerous photo shoots. In 2012, she applied to be a Playmate and shortly after moved into the world-famous Playboy mansion.

“I started attending red carpet events with Hugh and the girls every month and rubbed shoulders with Leonardo DiCaprio at star-studded parties" Parker said. Little did she know the dramatic change in direction her life would shortly take when doctors diagnosed the model with life-threatening brain cancer. Fortunately, the surgery went well and Parker made a swift recovery. However, it did not take long for the pretty brunette to notice that she still didn’t quite feel “herself” following the surgery.

“When I recovered from the operation, I was a different person. At first, it was small things,” explained Parker, describing oddities such as changes in food taste and no longer enjoying her favorite television programs. Soon it became apparent that it was not just Parker’s taste in food and TV that changed. “I used to be the heart and soul of the party and now I’m a wallflower. I am a completely different person to who I used to be.”

Parker’s case is not isolated. Behavioral and personality changes following brain surgery are more common than one might believe. "Damage to specific areas of the brain, including the frontal and temporal lobes, amygdala, and hippocampus might leave the survivor vulnerable to agitation, volatile emotions, memory impairment, verbal attacks, physical aggression, and impaired impulse control,” Psychology Today reported. Factors such as size, location, and type of brain tumor all play a role in the extent of personality changes an individual may experience.

Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of the Brain Tumour Charity, told The Mirror the reasoning behind brain cancer-induced personality changes. “The brain is such a complex organ that anything which disturbs its networks and pathways by even a small amount can have a significant effect. That means brain tumours and surgery to remove them can cause changes in personality.”

Despite the nearly complete personality change, Parker has continued to remain positive. “I don’t miss my old life. But I do miss certain aspects, like having my independence. I have only just stopped living at home with my mum,” the former model explained. She is relearning how to live her life and above all has not forgotten that despite the losses caused by her surgery, what she gained in return is without a doubt greater. “Being so ill has made me realize what’s important in life. It’s not the glitz and glamour, but spending time with my family.”