Tag Archives: Brain Tumour

International Day of the Family

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Family is an integral part of life. Each member of a family shares the joy of holidays, major milestones, and successes. Of course, family members endure the difficult times together too.

A brain tumour diagnosis affects an entire family, and can be a difficult journey for everyone involved. However, these tough times can often strengthen and maintain a family’s relationship. Through support and love, families make the journey of a brain tumour one of strength and courage.

When you let your family know how you feel (emotionally or physically), they will be able to better offer the support you need. Further, family members can offer words of encouragement, share the pain, and help to manage stress. Ultimately, throughout the journey of a brain tumour, the love of a family can help reduce the difficulty.

On this International Day of the Family we salute all families facing the journey with a brain tumour and say ‘Thank You’ to everyone supporting and caring for a loved one facing this disease.

Canada Health Day

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Today is Canada Health Day.

Join fellow Canadians today in a resolution to commit to your health and wellness. This day is a great opportunity to educate your friends or family members about health-related topics.

At Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, we are committed to finding the cause of and cure for brain tumours, while improving the quality of life for those affected. Regardless of the grade or stage, any brain tumour is life changing – and so it is important to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of a brain tumour, which can include:

  • Abnormalities in vision
  • Altered mental states
  • Clumsiness
  • Difficulty walking
  • Difficulty with speech
  • Gradual changes in intellectual or emotional capacity
  • Headaches
  • Nausea or vomiting (often in the morning)
  • Seizures
  • Weakness

However, brain tumour symptoms may greatly vary from one person to another, as they are often relative to a tumour’s location and size. Further, it is important to note that while these symptoms are common indicators, symptoms may gradually appear, or not appear at all. If you think you may have a brain tumour, see your doctor for an evaluation.

As May 12th is also International Nurses Day, we would like to note the importance of nurses throughout the journey of a brain tumour. Nurses are vital to quality healthcare and we greatly appreciate their dedication and hard work and compassion for everyone facing this disease.

For more information about signs and symptoms of a brain tumour, check out our website.

On Mother’s Day 2013

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Mother and baby bird

On this Mother’s Day we want to share again this post from last year – it reflects on how special days like this an be difficult for those of us on the journey with a brain tumour or who have experienced loss. Please enjoy this post and please know, you are not alone.

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Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers who are part of the brain tumour community – we wish you a day of relaxation, peace and love.

We also want to acknowledge that days of celebration like Mother’s Day can be difficult for us as we travel the journey with a brain tumour.

Today we send our thoughts to everyone who will face an emotional hurdle today.

Whether you are a mother who has faced your own diagnosis of a brain tumour or have been a caregiver for a child, spouse, parent or other loved one, or if you are a mother who has lost a child, we know this day may be difficult.

For those who have lost your mother to a brain tumour, Mother’s Day may be tough, no matter how much time has passed.

Regardless of who you are, and how you have been affected, you are not alone.

While our mothers are each different and we all have unique relationships with them, they hold a special place in our lives. So this Mother’s Day, we honour each mother who has been touched by a brain tumour. Thank you for everything you do, everything you give and every way that you help.

Happy Mother’s Day

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We are here to listen. You can call for emotional one-on-one support Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at 1-800-265-5106.

Jenny’s Story – Moving Forward

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The first episode came on November 2010.  An overall numbness came over my right arm starting at the shoulder, shot down my arm, ending with a tingling sensation in my fingertips.  I felt a moment of disorientation and as quickly it came, it left.  This happened within a span of seconds, easily I dismissed this as stress.  Life was busy with a full household of 3 adults, 2 seniors and 2 children under the age of 5 years old. In addition to my home life, I lived an equally hectic work life as a Programs Assistant helping to manage an Executive’s calendar for a non-profit organization.  Yes, life was busy but this was a lifestyle I was so accustomed to. Read the rest of Jenny’s story…

 

International Women’s Day

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Happy International Women’s Day to all women who are: facing a brain tumour, caregiving for a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or friend, to all the women who work every day to help those affected, and to every woman we have lost.

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” — Marie Curie, chemist and physicist.

Aleksandra’s Story:

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Aleksandra is from Burlington Ontario…

Hi to all of you my dear friends!

I been diagnosed with epidermoid brain cyst/tumor close to my basilar artery and I want to share my story with the hope that I may help somebody  – and we can together change the future.

I had been having a low-grade fever for more than 6 years and “flu flare” every 2-3 months. I had been to between 30-40 doctors in Burlington but all of them told me same story, “you have stress and anxiety.”  I tried to explain my other symptoms but nobody was really interested in hearing my story.  So yes, I do have anxiety and severe depression but this was not a reason for those symptoms.

Read the rest of Aleksandra’s Story…

The Holidays

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Happy Holidays to everyone who is part of the brain tumour community – we wish you season of relaxation, peace and love.

Times of celebration like this time of year can be very difficult for individuals and families coping with a brain tumour. So we want to send out our thoughts to everyone who might be facing an emotional hurdle during this time of year.

Whether you have lost someone you care about – recently or are feeling their absence years later – or if you are anticipating losing someone, this time of year can be tough. And equally important, if you are a survivor and find this time of year is not the same as it used to be, the holidays can be difficult.

Regardless of who you are, and how you have been affected, you are not alone.

We wish everyone a safe and peaceful season.

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We are here to listen. You can call for emotional one-on-one support Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at 1-800-265-5106.

 

 

 

 

 

Diane M’s Story

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Diane is from Thornhill, Ontario

I have had the same recurring tumour (grade 2/ non-malignant astrocytoma) removed three times now.

My initial symptoms were grand mal seizures. I had my first tumour removed in 1986. I was 32 years old with two young children. I had radiation. I went back to work, as an elementary teacher, four years later.

I was left with a focal seizure that I dismissed, to others, as a nervous twitch. To my surprise 20 years later, it returned. I had it out immediately. Apparently I was awake during surgery but I don’t remember that!

Read the rest of Diane’s story…

Mike’s Story

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In the spirit of Brain Tumour Awareness Month’s ‘Celebrating Strength’ theme, Mike reached out and bravely shared a bit of his story. Thanks Mike!

Mike’s Story

When I was 21 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. It overwhelmed me and crushed my spirit…so I drank the next ten years of my life away.

Then one day, I decided it was time to quit feeling sorry for myself and about three months after that I met my wife, Cherie,who has been my rock through it all.

On Christmas Day the year of 2000, I had a seizure and lost my driver’s license which was my livelihood. And I was diagnosed again…the tumor had grown.

We had it removed and then went through eight treatments of chemotherapy which felt like it would never end – but finally it did. I regained my strength and am happy to feel useful and productive again.

I hope this provides someone with some hope that they can have a ‘normal’ life again!!

Thank you for letting me share my story.

Dustin Thompson – “My Hero”

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Dustin

Dustin was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in July 2011 at the age of 25.  Dustin was the bravest and strongest person that we know; he fought a very hard battle which ended on June 11, 2012 at the age of 26 years.

Dustin was a very loving and caring person.  Even when fighting this disease, he always cared about everyone else and never complained about anything in life.

Dustin was a Heavy Duty Mechanic and Volunteer Firefighter.  He was married for one year when finding out he was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.

Read the rest of Dustin’s story here