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I had been having headaches
for as long as I can remember. However, these headaches felt
like earaches. From the age of about 11 years old, I had been
going to MDs and was diagnosed with ear infections/sinus infections.
I can’t tell you have many prescriptions for infections
that I had taken over the years. As time went on, the headaches
became more constant and more intense. I began to have numbness,
more severe headaches, increased neck pain, and vomiting.
The numbness eventually became outright paralysis on my left
side. I would stand up and it was like “whooom, whooom,
whooom” with extreme dizziness. At that time, my special
friend who was also our school nurse demanded – and
do mean demanded - that I see orthopedist thinking I probably
suffered from a ruptured disk in my neck. She is my favorite
nurse in the whole world! I made the appointment.
Low and behold,
the MRI indicated that my brain was protruding down through
my skull. The initial diagnosis was “Chiari Malformation.”
He referred me to Mountain Neurological for a second opinion.
The second MRI indicated that there was a “large mass”
in the center of my brain on the spinal cord which was pushing
my entire brain outward. I was informed that because the tumor
was so large, surgery would need to be done immediately.
My church anointed
me and prayed. I had folks from all over calling to reassure
me and tell me they were praying for me. Still, I was “shaking
in my shoes.” I think the hardest thing I ever did in
my life was tell my 7 year old son what was about to take
place. Those big brown eyes teared up, and with an attempted
manly style to hold back the tears, said “mommy I don’t
want you to go.” My husband, my son and I sat on the
sofa and gripped each other and cried. It was at that moment
that I had to come to grips with reality. I still choke up
when I think about it, but I also rejoice and praise God for
the reality I now LIVE with. Everything happened so fast.
It seemed as though one day I was diagnosed and the next I
was in Chapel Hill. Though, the days in between I spent praying,
hugging my husband and son, telling the people I love that
I love them, and praying some more. The only two brain tumor
victims I knew at that time did not survive so I truly did
plan my funeral. It surely was a test of faith.
On October
30, 2000, we were at UNC-Chapel Hill preparing for brain surgery.
Surgery number 1 was scheduled for the 31st day of October,
2000. On “D” day, the walk down that hall was
sooooo long. We came upon the hospital’s Chapel. My
family members were by my side, but this was time for my husband
and me. We went into the Chapel and gripped each other and
prayed together. The first word I can remember hearing after
the surgery was “benign”. Never had any word meant
so much. My left side was completely paralyzed. The world
was so foggy. I could not do common things such as walk or
feed myself. I felt so helpless. A second surgery was necessary
because of the size of the tumor and was scheduled on January
7, 2001. After the second surgery, I was told that there was
a small portion that could not be removed; but since the tumor
was benign there was really no need for chemo or radiation.
Jesus Christ had brought me through both surgeries with love
and care.
Because
of depression and other effects of brain surgeries, I wish
I had known George and the folks at WNC BTS. Only after “cruising
the net”, did I find that this group existed. THANK
GOD, finally someone who truly understands! I began attending
the meetings, and I believe at that time, I began to heal
emotionally. No one could not understand why I was depressed
and still scared. I could not understand why I was depressed
and still scared. This group helped me to understand that
this is just the “after-math”, but that is okay
because I am a brain tumor SURVIVOR! I will not worry over
the things I cannot control.
I give God Almighty all the credit! I have completely recovered.
I have regained complete use of my left side. I work a full-time
job as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of
Schools. I have lived to see my child grow to be as big as
his mommy. All MRIs since June 2003 indicate that there is
no residual tumor at all. I am learning the play the piano.
One of my favorite songs on the radio is “There is Hope.”
Only God can do that!
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WNC
BTS Survivor Stories -
