Brain Surgery and a Baby

In 2014, I was having excruciating pain and symptoms for months, which finally led to me going to see a specialist, who informed me that I was “normal” and was just having migraine headaches. Per my request, I asked for further evaluation and was then offered an MRI. I immediately got a phone call with the results that, at the age of 27, I had a tumor on my cerebellum that was causing hydrocephalus and had emergency surgery within days.

I was led into surgery by so many family members and friends, literally making a tunnel of love, singing me into the room. Recovery went fairly well for me despite having a 3-year-old stepdaughter at home. I mostly had to process the trauma of having emergency brain surgery. With my tumor, hemangioblastoma, which is rare to begin with, reoccurrence is also rare. I would have annual MRIs.

I got to 5 years of clean scans and decided to have a brain tumor party along with my dad, who was one-year cancer-free at that time for lymphoma. We celebrated with brain cake and cupcakes! I eventually went to every three years for my MRIs.

In 2020, during the world pandemic, I became pregnant with my first baby! Despite being in a pandemic, we were so excited to have a baby; this was also my year to get my MRI checkup. I waited until my son was about six months old to get my test done, contrast can affect your milk supply and I was nursing. I had no real issues besides recovering from a c-section, and taking care of a infant, however felt off and that something was wrong, sure enough my results came back.

My tumor was back and bigger than before. I was once again faced with having brain surgery. This time around, I was left unable to walk, with nerve damage on my whole right side, vision loss, and impairment. Recovery was extremely difficult and continues to be challenging, especially while trying to be a good mom. I am so fortunate to be alive, to be able to do things I love, such as hiking with my son, and to be able to face these challenges for my kids. I am so grateful for the support and help from my family and friends. Last May, I celebrated 10 years from my first surgery and three years from my second surgery (odd coincidence that both my surgeries were in May). I am celebrating life!

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