Moving On Past Your Tumor

Hi everyone. I'm curious what will help you move past your tumor, to the land of "I'm living my life, just with a brain tumor"?

I wasn't encouraged to be great and to excel because no one truly understood in 1985 what I would be able to do. Yes, my mom forced me to go to college and I'm glad she did, but I wasn't pushed too hard. I always wanted to be successful but, I couldn't because I always was feeling my chronic nerve pain and therefore, didn't have any passion for anything. Until It's Just Benign.

IJB released me from the victim role to becoming an advocate for benign brain tumor survivors, and I never realized how capable I was before. I have a lot of skills I really respect. I have tried so many new things because I feel differently about myself. Sure, I have days where I'm still sad, angry, bummed, whatever, because my pain is horrible, my hearing is bad, etc.but, I get past them. Instead of thinking I need to do everything perfectly, I do them Beth's way. For example, I have a trainer at a local gym. Yes, my left leg and arm shake as I strength train but, I'm no longer embarassed or ashamed. I'm proud. I feel like I want to try everything, Beth's way.

Perhaps your experience is different. I'm curious what would you like on this website to help make your life more positive?

Tags: ashamed, being, benign, brain, childhood, empowerment, encouragement, illness, past, role, More…the, tumor, victim

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Permalink Reply by Beth Rosenthal on July 26, 2012 at 8:12pm

That is so nice of you, Ann. I remember speaking to you. IJB has helped me so.. much, too. It's just so hard seeing my peers move on with families, financially, etc. while I just feel stuck. My life is so much better than 5 yrs. ago and I'm grateful for that. I know it will only get better. More good things to happen for IJB and that will help me, too, professionally. I'll remain positive. Thanks Ann for your support!

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Permalink Reply by Carey on July 26, 2012 at 8:37pm

Hi marilyn- you do have a friend here- I seen your post further down and you seem to have a wounded heart- Oh marilyn this is a difficult journey- you are not alone and you do matter you do have great worth- I would love to be a friend to you- and you can vent whatever you need to- there is a saying- " whatever you don't die from you grow from" we are all learning on this life journey-one step at a time- one moment at a time- one breath at a time... Just breath....

Marilyn said:

Hi Carey & welcome:) my name is Marilyn & I'm new too.
Beth I' m sorry u took what I said the wrong way. I meant that that the Dr u found that saved your live is only an hour or so away. Not in Ca,or Fl,or someplace hours away. Even though it took yrs to find him/her & a life that no one but somebody else who has had a craniotomy would begin to understand. At least this Dr that has helped u so much is
close by enough for u to see when needed. Again I'm sorry. You are so lucky to have your Mother for support. I was grown & moved away when it happens to me. I have my husband, but it's not the same as my mommy. My mom & dad did come here for the surgery. Thankfully we have cell phones & Skype now. But I get so tired of Drs, my husband,etc just not believing that I have a headache EVERY day. I saw a new neurologist 3 Wks ago. She told me I didn't have screws in my head ( I have 6) gave me new meds that made me cry & not want to live any more. I stopped taking them after 5 days before I became suicidal.
We all have been through something nobody else understands. We need to be there for each other. I'm sorry