Paused but Not Powerless

I was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma of the brain last year at 28 years of age. Did an awake craniotomy in December and by March I completed 42 rounds on chemoradiation, and after ended up doing 12 months of chemo for the remaining bit of tumor. My battle with cancer isn’t over!

I was in a complete dissociation mode. I tackled it head on because there wasn’t any other options. It’s changed my life in more ways than one. My health was my main focus and I obviously couldn’t work while going through treatments. The grieving process to know that my future was on “pause”.

To find other people who’s going through similar life-altering changes has really helped me put into perspective that we are not alone on this journey has made a world of a difference in how I tackle my own diagnosis. Support groups whether they are in person or online changed my life for the better!

To get the word out there! Inform and educate others. Little do people know what this disease entails, so May is the perfect time to represent all people that are going through this. Whether you yourself got diagnosed, a family member, or a friend!

It’s a constant mental battle. How it can alter how your brain works depending on the location.

TAGGED WITH: astrocytoma

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