Blessed

Blessed

Kelly

This is the story I told at my first NBTS walk, in 2005, which was 2 years after my diagnosis and treatment. A lot has happened since then, my husband and I adopted a beautiful baby girl, who is now almost 6. And now “my story” began 11 years ago, I still get tired and my memory fails me, but I am alive and I am truly Blessed.

I consider myself to be a miracle. I am a cancer survivor.
Two and a half years ago I was a thriving newly married bride who enjoyed mountain biking, wake boarding, singing, and hanging out with friends. I was employed full time as an administrative assistant for a nationally known credit reporting agency. Everything came to a crashing halt when my husband took me to the emergency room at Saddleback Memorial Hospital and within 24 hours was diagnosed as having a brain tumor. Here I am a 29 year old newly married with everything to live and hope for and suddenly my world came crashing in on me. Fortunately, I was surrounded by a loving husband, family, and friends and I have come through it.

The diagnosis was Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4. By all medical predictions, I should have been dead after 7 months. But, I had a lot going for me. I had excellent medical care, a loving family who stayed by my side, literally 24/7, a faith community that kept me in prayer, and a determined will. I had to survive.

It hasn’t been easy to say the least, three years later, I am well on my way to a full recovery. I still get tired, my left hand is not fully up to speed yet, and I have short term memory loss. I am back mountain biking, wake boarding and hanging out with friends.

One of the greatest lessons that I have learned is to never give up and to surround yourself with people who love you. Everyday is a gift and I intend to live my life to the fullest.

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