I’ve been a big fan of Lumosity and recently bought Block Builders to help with my spatial relations, but maybe there’s something better.  I have an occupational therapy assessment drivers assessment coming up and I want to make sure I’ve done everything I can to ace it.

I read the AARP column that lists five different online programs and am wondering if anybody’s used these and, if so, what do you think? Good? Bad? Waste of time and $$$? (Given the cost of these its more $$$ than…

I was 11 yrs. old in 1985, the year my brain tumor was diagnosed. I had no understanding then of the impact my tumor would have on my entire life. Adults can't understand the long-term impact, so how could I? My dad got Make-A-Wish involved with me early on. Prior to my surgery he had Ricky Shroder call me; I planned on marrying him (me and every other 10 yr. old girl & perhaps some boys, too). Make-A-Wish also granted my wish and took me on a fantastic trip to California.

M-A-W…

If you haven’t seen the recent Diane Sawyer interview with Representative Gabby Giffords, I highly recommend it. Here’s a link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/gabby_giffords/humor-determination-key-congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-recovery/story?id=14944407#.TsLQP2HRaSq

Here's a great example of somebody with a brain injury and is reduced to…

I have been sick most of my life. I'm 38 yrs. old now and spent two decades seriously ill. That means I've practically lived in and out of hospitals and emergency room from age 8 until I was 28. I've lost so much of myself during my whole brain tumor diagnosis and the aftermath of all my treatments that I have no idea who I am or what makes me happy.

I went from being a lover of gymnastics to a girl who couldn't walk properly. My balance never really got better. I think I've just…

It's Just Benign had a really successful day at the Metuchen Country Fair on Saturday. Aside from the fierce wind, the day went perfectly. My mom, Judy, and I started out and met at booth #109 on Main Street in Metuchen at 8:30 AM. We set up and made sure the table, full of the benign brain tumor display, brochures, articles, tee-shirts, etc., didn't blow away. My mom held out a collection can and started saying "help benign brain tumor survivors and It's Just Benign". About an hour later my…

My brain tumor consumed my life from age 11 on until now, age 38. I finished all of my treatment by age 12 and I was trying to adjust to my new world, the limited world where I couldn't run anymore, the world where the monkey bars were difficult to maneuver, the world where I couldn't swim well and the world where I could no longer do a cartwheel or even a somersault. I also had difficulty in school. I'm not sure if I created the stress or I just couldn't understand. I'd gladly take my old…

I have been on vacation this past week. Although wonderful, it is stirring up very sad feelings. I first went to Vermont and saw my cousin Sharon. Sharon was amazing to me when I had my surgery and radiation in 1987, when I was 11 yrs. old. She came to visit me in the hospital all the time, made me cookies, made my face up, etc. Sharon and I grew apart as she aged. Now she is married with two children. And I'm happy that she is loving life.



I also saw my childhood best friend in…

I had such a zest for life when I was little. Probably most children do. I loved monkey bars, running, gymnastics, etc. I was always on the move.Spring and summer were the best. My hands melted in the dirt as I practiced backbends and handsprings in the spring. In the summers my mom and I would go to our apartment pool. I would get these amazing tans and swim and swim some more until I swallowed a pool of water. I never thought about how to use my hands and arms as I practiced gymnastics and…

Before I started It's Just Benign I felt my adult life was mediocre. It seemed like I was cured by the age of 31. I had finished two craniotomies and six weeks of radiation treatment in 1987, at age 11. I really knew that I should have a much better job, friends, etc. But finding all of that was difficult. I had watched the success of my cousins and peers. It is very difficult watching your peers drive up in their fancy cars, wearing the best clothes, etc. and never acknowledging either how…

When I was little I dreamed of being a gymnast, just like Olympic Gymnast Nadia Comenici. I practiced no handed cartwheels, handsprings, and more by fifth grade. That was probably my biggest dream. However, I was also very aware that a good education was extremely important to my future. It could open many doors and most likely would lead to financial freedom, nice vacations, many "things", etc. My parents have an Ivy League educations and Ph.Ds and somehow I was aware of this at an early…

My second training session was last Tuesday. So far, so good. I've been so busy recently that it's been difficult getting to the gym. I just need to make it a priority.  Jason seems very nice. I'm noticing that my three important business relationships with men, my trainer, webmaster, and life-coach, are making me think that the male gender isn't so bad. I haven't met enough good guys. 

Anyway, of course, I needed to tell my trainer all of my weaknesses, etc. So the 1st week I told…

Recently I joined a new gym. I belonged to the Y for about 5 years and it's fine, but I just wanted more equipment available and a place where I feel more energy. So I joined somewhere new, just down the road from me. I was shown how to use certain equipment during orientation of the gym. It was similar to having a trainer, which was the point. So I decided to pay for a trainer, just once a week. Training started two weeks ago. And my trainer's name is Jason. 

I met Jason twice now.…

I've always enjoyed celebrating my mom. Not only is she the reason I'm living, but she is the reason that I willed myself to live. My trigeminal nueralgia pain was so unbearable that I easily could have jumped off of a bridge. However, knowing it might have emotionally crippled my mom is why I never did.

I remember when I was in my mid 20's thinking I had plenty of time to be a mother. I also thought that I never would want to adjust my pain medicine (which didn't manage the pain) for…

It's Just Benign had its first fund-raiser on May 3rd. Not only is it 3 yrs. since IJB had been around, it's also Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The fund-raiser was held at What's the Scoop?, an old-fashioned pizza/ice-cream shop in Metuchen, NJ.

I brought my display about benign brain tumors, brochures, and a few other things.

A special thanks to Pat. G. for making really cute flyers, and to AJ and Terry. I really felt like a team with their help. Of course, Pat, my mom, and I…

I'm looking for bloggers to add a new facet to IJB. I will be writing a blog, too. So I'd need you to blog at least 2 times per week. I need you to write about anything related or stemming from a brain tumor diagnosis. Please make sure feelings are genuine. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Survivor-write about stuggles or good things that all relate to your tumor's effects, treatments, or aftermath. Don't write about boy troubles, but write about a boy…

 I feel so grateful that my worst days are behind me. I should feel grateful that my surgery and radiation treatments are done, that I've managed with my left sided-weakness, deaf left ear and bad balance, and I survived trigeminal neuralgia pain without proper treatment for 12 years.  Depending on my mood of the day I can feel relieved, thrilled, and sometimes grateful that I can finally focus on living. I never could truly focus on my future. You can't when you're in agonizing pain.…