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READ MOREPublished on October 23, 2014 in Share Your Story
I guess my story starts out like this. I had no clue I had a Brain Tumor, I started loosing strength in my right side and having balance issue about a year before I received the news. I didn’t think much of it a the time but started to just learn to deal with it.
What lead to the discovery of my tumor was I was a a Masonic event and I had a seizure. I was rushed to the hospital and a Cat scan/MRI was done and there was this dark shadow that appeared on the scan, The doctors realized I had a brain tumor . The tumor was connected to my main brain stem and pushed its way up. After spending a few nights in ICU I was told the news. The tumor was about the size of a tennis ball.
My mom lost it. The doctor said it was a slow growing tumor and I probably had it for years. Well the day cam for my surgery. September 13th 2014, yep I had Brain surgery on Friday the 13th, at CMC Main in Charlotte NC. they told my family it should be about a 5-7 hour surgery. 12 hours later they told my parents I was in recovery but they couldn’t get it all and will need another surgery. What happened the tumor wrapped its self around a bunch of nerves. So surgery number 2 came 5 days later. Again they tell my family 5-7 hours and yet again another 12 hours. So a total of 24 hours in my head and they still couldn’t get it all.
They left 5 percent still connected to my brain stem. after spending 3 very long weeks in the hospital where I got a staff infection and blood cots I was moved to rehab to relearn to walk and gain my strength back. The doctors told my family I would be there for 2-3 months. With my willpower and the power of prayer and of our Lord God and the help with a walker I walked out in just 11 days. I have much more to say but not the space for it. It has been a long journey and I thank God for allowing me too keep traveling on the level of time.
Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.