Today marks what we in the brain tumor community (and yes, sadly there is a brain tumor community) call my second tumorversary or the two year anniversary of the day I found out that I have a brain tumor. Two years ago I drove the three hours from home to school in Starkville, Mississippi. I began working in my office to prepare for my seminar later in the day. After going upstairs to get articles I had printed and to see my professors and fellow students, I had a seizure in the stairwell on the third floor. That night, two ambulance rides and two hospitals later, my husband and children were in the room with me when I was told that I have a brain tumor.
One year ago the hair that I had lost from radiation treatments had grown back in but was still very short. I still had four months of chemotherapy left in my treatment. I was spending two weeks of each month sick and in bed sleeping and two weeks going to work and taking classes. Actually the class I was taking this time last year was an online health care marketing class so I was able to do some work during the weeks I was sick. I was also able to use my contacts at UAB to interview the head of cancer services and the marketing director of cancer services at UAB. They later interviewed me and I was featured as a patient story on the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s website.
In the last two years I have changed some things in my life and I have kept some things the same. I now see some blessings that have come from my experience. About two years ago Dr. Daugherty, a member of my church, published a book called Cancer. The Unexpected Gift. The whole idea was offensive to me. I was angry with God and scared and didn’t want to see anything positive about my situation. I was afraid that I would not be able to see my children grow up or to be with my husband of only four years, who had already lost one wife to a brain tumor.
Two years later I am still here. I am feeling much stronger and more positive about my situation. I will officially begin work all over again toward my doctorate on Monday. I appreciate the time with my family more than ever before and try to make more time with them. Two years ago I began writing things that I wanted to tell my children. Now I have had the chance to say those things to them. I don’t put off things that can be said and done now.
I am working every week now and am so thankful to be able to do that. In fact, I currently have two part time jobs in addition to being in school. Some days are stressful but so far I’ve not had any trouble remembering how lucky I am to be able to do everything I’m doing. I’ve walked in two 5Ks and hope to run part of the next one in October.
In eleven days I will have my next three month MRI. I’m a little nervous but don’t expect any problems since I’m feeling so well and don’t have any concerning symptoms. I know that if the cancer does grow at some point in the future I will have my family, friends and especially my God to see me through whatever is in store. I even want to get a copy of Dr. Daugherty’s book and read it now.
