Prolonged Headache Changed it All

On December 10, 2023, I finally gave in to a headache that I had been enduring over the past few weeks. As a mom, nurse, and military wife, I succumbed to the debilitating pain and visual disturbances by agreeing to go to the hospital. We never could’ve imagined that the pain I was feeling would result in the ER doctor stating that I had cerebral swelling and needed to be emergently transferred to a level 1 facility for further evaluation.

Three days later, I was diagnosed with a left temporal parietal meningioma that needed surgical excision. This news was devastating, to say the least, and left our military family vulnerable as we were residing in a rural area in the Mojave Desert in California. Thank goodness, as a nurse advocate and leader, I was able to seek medical treatment after receiving devastating news from the first hospital’s neurosurgeon.

Dr. Kunal Patel at UCLA literally saved the day. He provided comfort and reassurance during a tumultuous time. Although I’m still healing and trying to regain my strength, the brain tumor team at UCLA was able to do a complete excision and removal of the tumor! I am four months out, and we’ve been reassigned by the US Army and committed to healing and sharing our journey of surviving a brain tumor, surgery, and life as a military family during trying times!

TAGGED WITH: meningioma

Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.