Survival is achievable

July, 18th, 2008.The time i don’t know, but I am sure that I was unable to get to sleep that night. I was on the first vacation ever,in over 10 years. I was doing yard work at my house and enjoying the weather. What happens next I’ll never forget. I woke up at the hospital in the emergency room strapped to a gurney.

I wasn’t able to recognize either of the 2 men on my left or right. (My Dad and my primary care doctor. ) they told me to relax and that I had a grand Mal seizure. My Dad was the one who found me going through it.
The hospital ran an MRI, and found a grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme. I argued with them for some time, then told them that I wanted a 2nd opinion. I was sent to Massachusetts General Hospital. They confirmed the diagnosis and told me that I have only 2 options. Surgery and live longer, or do nothing and have maybe 5 months left at best. Well here it is 9 years later so you can guess what option I chose.
The next day they prepared me for surgery. Over the course of the week it took 40 hours to completely remove the tumor, I was then put on an experimental oral chemotherapy called Temodar. While undergoing radiation therapy. 16k of Gamma wave radiation therapy daily for 31 days, then 32k daily for the next 11 days.

Like I said survival is achievable. It has been a long road to get here, with headaches along the way. I have not had the best support group such as family, but some of my friends have been there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. I was 48 when 1st diagnosed, I will be turning 57 August. Please don’t hesitate to get the help you need.

If you would like to chat with me, my email address is kingsurvivor01@yahoo.com. I’ll be there for you to help you to go through the process of being a survivor. We all need a little bit more support than those who are not familiar with the fight really understand.

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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.