Living Low Grade

I was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma in the summer of 2021. I had chronic headaches my whole life and have had multiple concussions. In the spring of 2021, I finally received my first MRI after suffering from severe headaches every day that I would wake up with. Two MRIs later, I was immediately sent over to UVM Neurosurgery and was told that I had a stable low-grade glioma in my frontal lobe. 

It affects my speech and my processing skills, so I had to go to speech therapy and OT. Surgeons don’t want to remove the tumor until it grows to about 30mm. It grows about 2mm each year, and I have MRIs every 6 months. It is tough constantly watching and waiting for the day my tumor grows, but I am thankful for my team at UVM and their constant help and support. 

Earlier this year, because of neck pain I was having, my neurologist recommended I have an MRI on my neck. I was then diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer after a biopsy. My life is constantly filled with waiting for every 6 months with my brain and my thyroid. 

I learned with the support of my community, I can overcome these challenges and turn it into something good, and advocate for women to check your brain and your thyroid. It also allows me to live every moment to my fullest because nothing is ever guaranteed. 

My life has flashed before my eyes twice now, and I plan to live every second of it to my fullest potential. I participated in the National Brain Tumor Society in 2022 in DC after my diagnosis, and my family and I now participate in the bike ride online with the help of donations from family and friends. I want to spread my story to everyone to raise awareness of brain health.

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