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Brain Cancer Real Stories

Brain Cancer: Real Stories


Real stories are personal stories shared by members of the DIYHealth community. These are stories of hope and triumph over a medical condition, inspiring us to stay the course.

Top Real Stories

1. Friends gave a new meaning to my life

I was watching a game of football on TV and went up to get something from the refrigerator when I was struck down. The next thing I knew was the gloomy ambulance interiors all around me. At the hospital, the doctors diagnosed me with brain cancer. However, I was blessed to have one of the best surgeons operating on me. I was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and discharged on a Sunday night. The whole episode took place over the course of a Christmas break. At the school, I was given a royal welcome. My classmates made cards and posters for me while I was recovering at the hospital. I was also a part of the school basketball team and my teammates gifted me a basketball signed by each of them.

2. Friends gave a new meaning to my life

I was watching a game of football on TV and went up to get something from the refrigerator when I was struck down. The next thing I knew was the gloomy ambulance interiors all around me. At the hospital, the doctors diagnosed me with brain cancer. However, I was blessed to have one of the best surgeons operating on me. I was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and discharged on a Sunday night. The whole episode took place over the course of a Christmas break. At the school, I was given a royal welcome. My classmates made cards and posters for me while I was recovering at the hospital. I was also a part of the school basketball team and my teammates gifted me a basketball signed by each of them.

3. The miracle of my life

I was diagnosed with brain cancer in the year 2004. Early that year, one of my best pals was diagnosed with the same malady. Hence, the year, for me, began and continued on a devastating note. However, it is not the treatment process that I would not like to speak about. Like every other brain tumor victim around, I too had my share of craniotomies, or radiation therapies. However, it is the day I stood at the oncologistโ€™s office with my MRI reports staring back from the screen that I seem to recollect most. The radiologistโ€™s report revealed that the tumor had decreased in size. It was nothing short of a miracle. From that moment on, I knew that I had a long way to go. Even the neurosurgeon congratulated me for being one of their long term survivors.

4. Family's love did it all

My life today stands divided in two halves, one prior to September 12, 1998 and the other after that date. It was the day when doctors discovered the presence of a tumor in my brain. My reaction to the devastating revelation was surprisingly calm. It took the reality several days to sink in. Calmness prevailed over me even when I was being driven to the hospital for operation. I kept awake all through the surgical process. The treatment continued post surgery and I underwent six weeks of radiation therapy. However, back home I had two children to raise and look after. My parents gave me all the time they had. Friends continued to arrange meals for months. The church regularly brought groceries and even took care of the children. The compassion and kindness often brings tears to my eyes. Accepting the help wasnโ€™t easy though. However, I soon realized that by accepting favors I was performing my bit for the family.

5. I got a new life

I was about to get married for the second time in life when all hell broke loose. I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I saw the doctor and he confirmed the worst. Mine was the deadliest and most aggressive of all brain tumors. I was not prepared for the grind and needed time to put things back in order. So I asked the doctor for a week off and got married to my girl in a simple chapel ceremony. Once the dream run got over, it was business as usual. I had not slept for two nights prior to the surgery. I requested the surgeon not to keep me awake for the pre-op procedure and he agreed. The staff then took me into the operation theater and got me transferred on to the surgery table. The anesthesiologist simply introduced me to his team before applying the shot. The next memory I have is of waking in a large room. My arm and head felt terribly heavy. There were people around me talking and asking questions like where you come from or what is the name of the American president. It was some where in the middle of the commotion that I realized that the ordeal was finally over. I simply could not believe that I was alive and started crying..

6. A special thanks

I was all of 17 when tests revealed the presence of a GBM or Glioblastoma Multiforme in my right frontal lobe. The radiologist I went to announced that I had less than six months time. The tumor was, all the same, encapsulated. After the surgery, I was made to undergo beam radiation. However, things took a turn for the worse when the therapy had to be aborted midway. Doctors had apparently discovered that my health was in such a state that I could suffer a stroke any moment if the therapy continued. Things started looking up when I met a local neurosurgeon who was bent on providing me with both quality and quantity of life. It was through his efforts that I was able to enroll at the UCSF for a brachytherapy clinical trial. The dream run continued and my treatment met with success after success thanks to the intervention of the neurosurgeon.

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