I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on October 31, 2022. Odd timing to receive the news on Halloween, but I was glad to finally have an answer. Although the tumor is benign I had been experiencing a lot of symptoms that were interfering with my quality of life. (I’ll discuss my symptoms in detail in another post). I had been to several doctors trying to figure out why I wasn’t feeling well. In April 2022, I was referred to a specialist because based on my bloodwork doctors suspected I may have a brain tumor. I received an MRI and was told it came back normal. I was given a diagnosis of an essential tremor and spasmodic dysphonia. However, I knew something was very wrong because the symptoms I was experiencing became progressively worse. It wasn’t until six months later and more bloodwork that I got a second brain MRI, except this time they did a pituitary protocol and were able to locate the tumor in my left anterior pituitary gland.
I experienced a mixture of emotions when I received the diagnosis. Relief being one of them. I finally knew what was going on with me. Treatment began shortly after and it made me feel awful. The medication was very hard for me to tolerate but I eventually adjusted. My life has completely changed since the diagnosis.
This is a progression of me before the symptoms began, when I started to notice that something wasn’t right, days before I got the news, during treatment, and currently.
I continue to cope and grow through this process everyday. I have struggled to adjust to my new reality but I haven’t lost hope that I will get better. It’s been six months since the diagnosis and until now I had only shared the news with family and a few friends. I have always been someone who maintains a very private life, but I’m ready to be brave and vulnerable by sharing my personal experience of living with a brain tumor. My hope is that my story can serve as guidance, strength, comfort, and encouragement to others who may be going through this as well. I have been fortunate enough to have unconditional love and support from family and friends and I am grateful to everyone who has offered prayer, support, and positive energy during this entire time.