In late 2015, I started having seizures. Some were severe. I saw a neurologist who prescribed Keppra. That stopped the seizures. Not much later, I began to lose the function of my left hand and fingers. The neurologist ordered an MRI. In January of 2016, I had a craniotomy for a biopsy.
About 2 weeks later, the same neurosurgeon called, wanting me to come in for a biopsy. I was confused too. He said that during my first surgery, the biopsy wasn’t sufficient for a diagnosis. I went back and did it again. About a week later, I heard glioblastoma for the first time and was told it was inoperable.
I came in for a discussion with the neurosurgeon. He told me that I probably only had 3 to 6 months to live. I FIRED the entire oncology team and told them I’d go elsewhere. My late wife cried all the way home. I was angry with the doctors in Huntsville, Alabama, and told my wife that I wasn’t giving up; the fight is just beginning.
I made it my second full-time job to go on a crash course to learn all I could about my diagnosis, possible treatments, and the best neurosurgeons within driving distance. Basically, I trusted God Himself to guide me to someone who could give me more hope. He did just that. Later in January 2016, I was admitted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, through the emergency room. Dr. James Markert did the surgery that others said wasn’t possible.
Today I’m disabled with left side paralysis, but life is good and I’m healthy and volunteering as a mentor for others diagnosed with glioblastoma through Imerman Angels.
