I Named Her Hortencia

In 2019, I found out I had a brain tumor the size of a tangerine. I named it Hortencia. Three weeks later, I had an 8-hour craniotomy for a resection of a giant meningioma.

I had fifty staples and a stay in the ICU.

I have a metal plate and four screws in my skull now. They removed my sinus system, so I forever lost my sense of smell and taste. I have permanent facial nerve damage and scar tissue on my scalp where my hair will not grow back. I’ve undergone four failed reconstructive surgeries since then on my scalp and face.

My tumors returned, and now I have cancer. I am choosing to participate in clinical trials as an alternative treatment because I don’t want to go through chemo.

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.