"I agree with you Amanda, true words!
Debbie
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It's Just Benign: Connecting Benign Brain Tumor Survivors Everywhere
Debbie Higgins's Groups
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Religious Discussions
23 members
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Depression and anxiety G…
40 members
Debbie Higgins's Page
Latest Activity
Debbie Higgins replied to Candy Wilson's discussion I was just told I need surgery...feeling overwhelmed.Debbie Higgins replied to Candy Wilson's discussion I was just told I need surgery...feeling overwhelmed."Hi Candy,
I just wanted to write and say that I am a 2 year survivor of surgery to remove what they could of my brain tumor. It is very overwhelming, but like you, I have much faith and wanted Jesus to be glorified through it all....and He…"
Sebouh Kandilian left a comment for Debbie Higgins"hi Debbie,
I had a benign astrocytoma located in the cerebellum and stem so it affected the occipital lobe. I have had radiation and a total of seven brain surgeries by age 22 I suffered a hemorrhagic brainstem stroke and…"
Debbie Higgins replied to Amanda's discussion Managing Pain.... in the group Migraines"Amanda, It has been about 16 months since my surgery. My migraines are definitely related to the brain tumor and surgery, I never had headaches prior to the surgery. My pain ranges from mild to very severe. It usually comes on suddenly, but…"
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Depression and anxiety Group"Terry,
I can so totally relate to what you are feeling! I have a meningioma that I had surgery on Nov. 2009. Could not remove all of it, because it is on a major blood vessel. I had 30 radiation treatments. I have vision issues, migraines and some…"
Peggy Card replied to Debbie Higgins's discussion depakote for migraines? What other meds work? in the group Migraines"I have several different kinds of migraines based on the triggers. I am currently taking Verapamil, which is a calcium blocker as well as a vascular dilator and it has been working for a while. I did the Depakote thing but if you miss…"
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Depression and anxiety Group"Lisa, I had a time that I went through that too. I felt like I was just a lump on a log and I would never find myself again. It was about 6-8 months after surgery that it was the worst. And I am a very positive person.
I finally cried and yelled and…"
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Depression and anxiety Group"Brenda,
I would say get a second opinion! A few people on this site had mentioned seeing a neuro-opthamologist. I did that and got some questions answered. You might also get an opinion from a plastic surgeon. They do surgery all the time on people…"
Debbie Higgins's discussion was featureddepakote for migraines? What other meds work?
I have been taking Depakote for migraines for about 6 months. I was on Keppra before that and it had terrible side effects! I was feeling GREAT until about 6 weeks ago when the manufacture quit making the particular generic I was taking. A switch of manufacturers has thrown my body into a whirlwind.I feel horrible. I did speak to my pharmacist who got depakote from yet another manufacturer (at no charge) but I still do not feel right. I am dizzy, lightheaded, have no energy or…See More
Debbie Higgins added a discussion to the group Migraines
depakote for migraines? What other meds work?
I have been taking Depakote for migraines for about 6 months. I was on Keppra before that and it had terrible side effects! I was feeling GREAT until about 6 weeks ago when the manufacture quit making the particular generic I was taking. A switch of manufacturers has thrown my body into a whirlwind.I feel horrible. I did speak to my pharmacist who got depakote from yet another manufacturer (at no charge) but I still do not feel right. I am dizzy, lightheaded, have no energy or…See More
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Depression and anxiety Group"Well Beth and Alice, after reading what you have to endure, I am just going to pick my self up and not complain any more! I do have a supportive husband who has taken care of me. Although he has said he is tired of hearing me complain. But I know he…"
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Religious Discussions"I enjoyed reading everyones comments. It is amazing how God can use each one of us in our circumstances. Dianne, I have heard of all those artists except the first one. And I have seen Chris Tomlin in concert, as well as Casting Crowns who I also…"
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Religious Discussions"Everyone has a different circumstance and a different journey. I would not have gotten through my brain tumor journey without my church family and God. I could feel their prayers and I was just at peace throughout the tests and even preparing for…"
Debbie Higgins joined Beth Rosenthal's groupReligious Discussions
This is an area to discuss religion. You might have been religious pre-diagnossis, but now you aren't. Or you might be even more religious now. How has religion changed (or not) since your Brain Tumor Diagnosis?
Debbie Higgins commented on Beth Rosenthal's group Depression and anxiety Group"Kayla, I completely agree! I had periods of depression when I was going through radiation. I was so tired and tired of being in the house; it was last winter when the weather was so horrible. As I approach my 1 year anniversary of diagnosis and…"
Debbie Higgins joined Beth Rosenthal's groupDepression and anxiety Group
Suffering from depression, anxiety? Let's get it out. Let's open up and support eachother.
Profile Information
- Who are you?
- Survivor
- What type of tumor do/did you have?
- Meningioma Occipital lobe
- What kind of info do you want from this site?
- pretty good; strong will and faith. Trying to get used to my new normal. But I have days.....
- What city & state or city & country are you located in?
- See what others are feeling. Be able to chat with others who have been through the same thing.
- How did you find itsjustbenign.org? Please be as specific as possible.
- North Carolina
Comment Wall (3 comments)
- At 9:29pm on December 5, 2011, Sebouh Kandilian said…
hi Debbie,
I had a benign astrocytoma located in the cerebellum and stem so it affected the occipital lobe. I have had radiation and a total of seven brain surgeries by age 22 I suffered a hemorrhagic brainstem stroke and that left me with a number of disabilities. Now i have chronic double vision or diplopia and surgery did not correct it. It just was cosmetic. I have ringing in ear, hearing loss in right ear, ataxia or loss of balance, incoordination, I cant chew on right side, use a straw to drink , chronic headaches too. I had few seizures since the stroke so my doctor put me on keppra i dont know if i still need it though... The headaches didnt go away and that is so so debilitating because i feel weak no appetite etc. I am not able to work or go to school again. I was going to be an optometrist. For more than ten years I have been going to headache specialist and nothing has helped. The last one said its a migraine and wanted me to be on a bunch of drugs. I rather like do alternative medicine that does not have sideffects. On my good days I like to do photography. It has become a form of therapy. The new normal is definitely not what I would liike as a young adult i cant drive, go out, meet girls like everyone else, just live like a young man and have a career. I do check my regular email more often and that is kan0085@aol.com
Take care
Sebouh
- At 9:27am on September 22, 2010,
Linda Wilson said… - Hi Debbie I know we talk for just a moment about a month ago. Things got crazy and I never got back to you I'm sorry. I do realy want to talk with you
- At 5:57pm on August 1, 2010,
Beth Rosenthal said… - Hello Debbie and thanks for joining. I started this site because I had such difficulty finding benign brain tumor survivors, like myself. I'm a long term survivor ( but have many side-effects): diagnosed in 1985 at age 11. Besides connecting with survivors, we can exchange medical info, get support, etc. There is also a Q & A with a neurosurgeon under the Resources tab. Thanks again for joining. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
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