For the most part, I was a normal high school student. I was just getting to the final part of my senior year. I was working two jobs to save up money for my future, and in late February, I had been accepted into the nursing program I applied for.
Just two short days after being accepted, I suffered three focal seizures that would lead to my diagnosis (Polymorphous Low-Grade Neuroepithelial Tumor of the Young). I had previously suffered one of these focal seizures on New Year’s Eve, but at the time, it was just diagnosed as an “isolated syncopal episode,” and I was sent on my way with “normal” test results.
The doctor at my local ER believed that nothing was wrong and it was just stress-related. But after having three more, I had to do a neurology workup. I was with my neurologist for probably three minutes, and then he brought up the fact that there was a spot on my CT from January. At the time, he said he had no reason to believe it was a tumor and that it looked like a cavernoma, so I needed to get an MRI for further examination. This MRI revealed that it was a brain tumor.
Immediately, I had an appointment set with a neurosurgeon and was told that I should have surgery to remove the tumor in my temporal lobe to prevent more seizures from occurring. This was just seven weeks before my graduation date. I was immediately shocked and filled with negative emotions. How could this happen to me?
After my surgery, I suffered emotionally. I couldn’t understand what I had done wrong or why this happened. When I met with my oncologist and told him I was going into nursing, he told me that when I finish school, I should come work for them at the hospital that cared for me.
I then realized that was the speciality I wanted to go into as a nurse, neurology. I can take my experience and use it to help others. I will be able to use my experience to make a positive impact on the world.
My graduation cap says, “The only way out is through.” I had to keep pushing, and I did. I cannot wait to use all that I have been through to help others going through similar events.
