Father of 10 Diagnosed With GBM at 35

On Monday, January 7th, after working a typcial day, I was driving my children and their friends home from a church function when I began experiencing stroke-like symptoms, including blurred vision and an inability to read road signs. By the grace of God, I was able to safely pull my vehicle off of the road and call my wife, Carrie, who promptly left work and took me to the hospital.

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, I suffered a grand-mal seizure, the severity of which caused me to fracture my collarbone in two places, dislocate my left shoulder, and damage the ligaments and tendons therein.

A CAT scan revealed a mass on my brain behind my right ear. I was life-flighted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and underwent brain surgery on Wednesday, January 9th. While the surgery was successful in removing the tumor, I subsequently learned (from the surgery and the biopsy results two weeks later) that I have been diagnosed with Grade 4 brain cancer (Glioblastoma). Given the aggressive nature of the tumor, doctors have stated that its reemergence is a question not of “if” but “when.”

At 35 years of age and by all appearances in perfect health, the sudden diagnosis of brain cancer has come as a complete shock to me and my family.

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