It’s fair to say that not much of anything shocks me anymore. Maybe life, and this piece of shit brain tumor, have jaded me a bit as I’ve adjusted to a life full of insane (now normal) things and events. Don’t get me wrong, plenty in life is surprising and downright disappointing; such as toothpaste in the … Continue reading
Tagged with Brain Tumor …
Can You Imagine?
Random conversation with mommy friends on the playground about Jennifer Grey on Dancing with the Stars and her recent cancerous Spinal Tumor… Can you imagine going to the Doctor for a check up and finding out-totally out of the blue-that you have a tumor and cancer? One day you’re fine and the next moment you’re … Continue reading
Pay It Forward Friday
If there’s one thing that I’ve come to understand more clearly on my journey with this piece of shit brain tumor, it’s that you often never know what someone’s dealing with. Too often when no outward appearance of challenge, disability or emotion is evident we fail to recognize that they exist under the surface. Finally … Continue reading
Revisiting
I had the opportunity today to tour what had been my home for a little over a day. Unit 31, the Neuro-ICU at Emory Hospital Midtown. Beginning my tenure this morning as a member of the UPC (Unit Practice Council) of Unit 31 as a Patient and Family Advisor, I knew I was going to revisit and … Continue reading
Wrecking Balls
The journey we’ve been on has been interesting to say the least. There is however, an aspect of our journey that’s been difficult to articulate and more importantly, difficult to carry. Deeply personal, these interactions have framed my perspective as a patient and influenced my point of view as an advocate. The absolute worst part of our … Continue reading
The 590 Independent Study Revisited
In digging through files a few days ago, I came across a bulging folder with all my History papers from college; a collection of gems and duds. I spent hours pouring over them bringing me back to what feels like a lifetime ago in college. It brought me back to a time when I found myself having to take … Continue reading
Laughter As Medicine
My approach to coexisting with my piece of shit brain tumor has always been to endure with a solid sense of humor and I believe I’ve been successful thus far. I can’t fix this, so why not lighten up and spend more time laughing. It’s more fun than a pity party. So, I’ve got a collection of T-shirts that I … Continue reading
A Fateful Friendship
Two years ago in October, I waited eagerly and nervously in my foyer for Kevin to arrive. We had talked on the phone a week earlier when I had bluntly conveyed my dilemma. I needed my hair cut and colored. Yet, there was a twist. It was important for me to share with him before he … Continue reading
730
730 days ago tomorrow, everything changed. I signed on the dotted line. Page after page of dotted lines I signed. Thinking all the while that I must have already lost my damn mind. It had to be good and gone if I was willing to give someone the opportunity and privilege to remove a piece … Continue reading
Silent Struggle
I’d be loaded if I got a dollar every time someone told me they don’t see a difference in me post surgery. You have no idea how I’ve mastered pretending, hiding and compensating. It’s exhausting. I like writing because I can spend as much time as I need to get my thoughts out. My short-term memory … Continue reading
When Your John Hancock Matters Most
I remember turning 18 my senior year in High School. My parents picked me up from school and we went straight to their Attorneys office to formalize my Will, Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will/Advance Directives. Not quite the kick-off into adulthood and a Birthday that I expected, but nevertheless, I understood what … Continue reading
Cue the Violins
Stupid headaches. I hate them and hate why I have them. Stupid piece of shit brain tumor. I was less than thrilled yesterday when, at the drop of a hat, the world started to get dizzy and I started to feel off-balance and the invisible vice clamped onto my head. It’s not even raining. What … Continue reading
Lawn Art
Having absolutely nothing to do with a brain tumor, this post is a glimpse into what has become of my evenings after said brain tumor and husband working and living out-of-state for the past three months. Meet my new late night visitors and friends… I know these fellows. They have no names, but we’ve become pals. The funny thing … Continue reading
GREY MATTER LIFE 