I can't believe it's July! How the time flies when you have acquired brain injury!

It has taken all this time for me to blog again. I guess I don't have to worry about becoming addicted to it! Although I have not blogged for almost three months, I have been lurking on "It's Just Behign" putting my two-cents-worth in every now and again, and slowly getting to know a few members. It is amazing to me how similar our stories are, and how COMFORTING it is to realize that I am not alone in my struggles and efforts to deal with the life implications of brain surgery. It has been 31 years since my first surgery and yet, truth be known, I still have some form of brain surgery struggle every day. I can never quite extricate myself from it entirely, although life is often sweet and wonderful. Today the humidity is high, and I can feel the affect the weather has on my craniatomy, the pressure, although there is hardly ever any real pain , for which I am grateful.

I am wondering, is there anyone out there who had their brain surgery in the late 1970's ? I have been reading that alot of you have had quite recent experiences, and I am just wonderig are there any more "old timers" like myself. Even if you are new to this experience, I hope that it is comforting to know that people survive long term. Life does go on, and with advancements in medical technology, I am happy to realize that you have benefiitting from all that has been learned in the last 3 decades. I know that my last brain surgery, which was in early 1999, was vastly different from my second one which was in 1986. It was an entirely different ball game, and the players had gotten ever-so-much better at it. In 1999, My neuro- surgeon, (who looked barely old enough to shave), was just brilliant, and I stand a very good change of not facing a fourth surgery because he was able to remove the section of the meninges where my recurrences kept showing up. So my brain looks a bit like a patch work quilt, but it is a small prrice to pay for the possibility of not going through the surgery again; here we are almost 13 years later, and so far, so good. I live in hope.

I guess the question I have to ask is this. Where do you see yourself 31 years from now? What are your hopes and aspirations? Now, more than ever, you stand a very good chance of being everything you dreamed of becoming. My challenge to you is to become more than a survivor, although surviving is certainly important. Survive, absolutely! But hitch your wagon to a far greater star. What would your life be like if you did more than survive? What will it look like when you have thrived and ovecome, which I hope and pray you will. I am proof that for many of you, there will be a 31st craniversary, and a 40th and even a 50th or 60th! Make your plans now, for to fail to plan is to plan to fail, and the first step to a plan is a dream. Dream big., and may He who loves you best be with you.

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Tags: 31st, Planning, craniversary, for, your

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Comment by Peggy Card on November 8, 2010 at 2:15pm
Dear Rose,
I was diagnosed in late October, 1990. I had my first surgery on December 3rd, 1990. So, I am weeks away from my 20 year anniversary. I too deal with "brain surgery struggles" everyday. Whether its facial nerve pain, balance and hearing issues, or just another headache, its always there. But, like you, life is often sweet and wonderful. I would rather have a tea party with my granddaughters while fighting a migraine, than not have a tea party at all. So, I rejoice in celebrating my 20th Craniversary! Thanks!
Comment by Becky on July 24, 2010 at 6:32pm
Rose,
Thank you for writing this. I am currently still in the treatment phase, and there are times where it feels like this is it, and all of the aspirations I had before the tumor won't happen. It is very comforting and inspiring to see people like you who have been a survivor for so long and have been able to do so many things! Although I discovered my tumor during my first year of college, I didn't start the "treatment process" (biopsy, chemo, etc.) until after I finished finals (this past May). I'm headed back to school in a month, and I'm very nervous and scared to be so far away from my family, seeing as they have been my biggest support system through all of this. But I know that everything happens for a reason, and whatever is meant to happen will happen, even if it is a challenge.

One thing I do find interesting is that I think some of my aspirations have changed, not because my tumor has made me weaker, but because my tumor has given me more insight. I'm being introduced to so many other occupations that I didn't even know existed! I am currently a Political Science major, and my dream is to go into politics (I really want to be the President), though I have found the medical field to be so interesting. I just wish I could go straight into some sort of neuro-medical occupation without having to go through so many years residency, etc. I am very terrified of needles, and would never be able to do the "gross" work of medicine, but I don't know of any other way to become a doctor without going through that.

Pardon my tangent :) Once again, thank you for being such an inspiration and allowing me to see that in time, this will all be a part of my past and I won't always be stuck in this treatment phase.

Becky
Comment by Beth Rosenthal on July 22, 2010 at 9:59pm
Hi again, Rose. I was treated in 1986 at age 11. It's been very difficult to dream as my education, career, etc. have all been impacted. I was finally starting to smile by age 15. I was getting used to the bad balance, hearing issues, and weakness to my left arm. Then in 1989 I started getting trigeminal neuralgia pain. That's a facial pain that feels like needles sticking into your face, for me. It's known as one of the WORST pains in the world. I lost 13 years due to being in pain, highly medicated by pain killers, and just out of my mind. My parents and I travelled all over the U S from age 16-28. Finally, in 2002 I met a Dr. who treats my pain. He gave me my life back. I'm emotionally more like a 26 yr. old than a 36 yr. old woman. In some ways, anyway. I feel like the old-timer you are seeking.
Right now my dream is to be able to support myself. Another dream is to build up It's Just Benign, educating about benign brain tumors, and being online for support. I plan on being the paid staff and possible this might expand to other things.
Now, my dream ends, as I need to get to bed and prepare for another BORING day at work.

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