Tag Archives: Young Adult Brain Tumour Survivors

Tara’s Story

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14 months post surgery Tara and her husband, Christmas 2011

14 months post surgery Tara and her husband, Christmas 2011

Tara is from St. Catherine’s, Ontario; this is her story.

My name is Tara, and I am a 32-year-old brain cancer patient. In August of 2010, when I was just 30, I was experiencing odd episodes where it would feel like a hot liquid was running through my chest, I would smell a strong chemical smell high in my nostrils, and I would stop in my tracks while experiencing a ‘deja vu’ experience.

All of these things occurred simultaneously and out of the blue. It would happen once and then not again for a day or two… Read Tara’s full story here

Friend Friday: Adventures of Brain Tumour Man and Superchuck

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superhero imageToday our Friend Friday showcases the blog by one British Columbia family going through an incredible journey of courage and hope. While one parent is living with a brain tumour, one of their children is battling leukemia. Follow two superheros as they battle their disease with superhuman and superhero strength at Adventures of Brain Tumour Man and Superchuck.

Friend Friday: LynsTheFirecracker

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Jenna Landry, 10, (left) was one of the first to join Lynsey Hodgson’s team The Firecrackers, the top fundraisers in the Spring Sprint in support of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. The project has kept Hodgson busy following her brain tumour diagnosis. Jenna has sold hundreds of bracelets to support the cause. Photo Courtesy of Guelph Tribune by Jessica Lovell

Diagnosed with a brain tumour near the end of 2011, Lynsey is a 23-year old survivor. She started her blog  LynsTheFirecracker for many reasons including, “keeping everyone up to date with my health situation, allow me to share my thoughts and feelings (which seem to change minute to minute), and hopefully provide a way for me to make some sense of what I am going through.”

Head over to her blog to follow her journey and connect with her. Lynsey is also participating in this weekend’s Spring Sprint Guelph for which she is leading the team The Firecrackers – so far they have raised more than $22,000! Pretty impressive given she started with a goal of $4000. She also shared her story with the community in a story in the Guelph Tribune this week.

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Do you know about a blog that we should spotlight or share as part of our Friend Friday series? Send an email to mwinkler@braintumour.ca with the information.

Al: My Brother’s Story

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My story is not about me, but about my older brother Michael. We count our blessings every day that he is still with us, and while it hasn’t been easy for him or his wonderful wife of 24 years Patricia, we’re thankful that someone was watching over him in 1996.

Michael was working as a long-haul truck driver for about a year. In September, he was driving through West Virginia and happened to stop at a truck stop for dinner. It was a brief stop, truckers don’t get paid to sit in coffee shops after all, but steps from getting back into his rig and on the road again, Michael suffered a seizure and collapsed unconscious to the ground.

He was found by his fellow truck drivers and was taken to a nearby hospital, where an MRI confirmed a tumor on his front left lobe. I could tell you it was the size of an orange or a golf ball, but really it doesn’t matter. It was malignant and he needed to come home.

Michael was treated at the London Cancer Clinic with the first of his surgeries, he’s had three, done within the first week of his return. The surgeons were able to remove most of the tumor, but due to its positioning, complete removal was impossible without affecting or wiping out completely Michael’s ability to speak. He endured the usual rounds of chemo and radiation and to date there is no further growth of the tumor.

There have been side effects of his treatment: some slurred speech, loss of energy, short term memory loss and the occasional seizure. He can’t drive any more, and he hasn’t worked in years. I’m okay with all that, because we still have my brother around. He has seen his daughter graduate from university, and his nieces and nephews grow up. He’s stronger than I ever thought he was when we were growing up. He’s a fighter, and so far he’s got this thing beat.

I think back to 1996 and wonder all the what ifs. What if the line at the truck stop was just a little bit shorter? What if he hadn’t stopped at all? We wouldn’t be telling this story, but one with a far more tragic outcome. He truly did have someone watching over him that day. And we are grateful that they were.

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You can share your story too! Just click here and get started.

Kathy’s Story

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My brain tumor story started February 9, 2008. I passed out in the washroom at a busy store. I woke up in hospital, my husband and sons at my side, soon to find out I had a brain tumour.

I was admitted and diagnosed with a glioblastoma and told I may only have approximately 2 months - 2 years left. Surgery, radiation and chemo followed.  Last treatment was in January 2009.  I am still here and doing very well.  I cried the first 3 months and then started reading.

With the great support of my husband and boys I tried to change things such as diet and exercise. I don’t dwell on cancer too much, I just try to live a happy-filled life until my next MRI.  Even with the passing of my husband two years ago I still try to remain positive keeping very busy with family and friends.

Carole’s Story/Je m’appelle Carole

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Carole’s story continues ‘en francais’ with her new post to her story:

Ce quelque chose …   17 février 2012

Peu importe notre situation, notre santé ou nos croyances il existe ce quelque chose qui stimule à aller de l’avant. Fatigué ou pas, déprimé ou découragé il n’en reste pas moins qu’il reste cette flamme qui oblige presque à se lever pour continuer la journée qui nous reste encore inconnue.

Read more …

Jordan’s Story

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Jordan is 15 and this is his blog post about his journey with a brain tumour.

Jordan with his friend Goofy

Jordan with his friend Goofy

Hi , my name is Jordan and I am 15 years old . My life before a brain tumour was great. I had an active life in sports and out with my friends. I was 9 years old when I was first diagnosed with a brain tumour. Read Jordan’s entire story here.

 

 

You can share your story too! Just click here and get started.

 

Hilary’s Story

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Beth shares her daughter Hilary’s story …

Hilary's mantra has been 'Optimism'

 

Hilary was diagnosed with a large Grade 3 Gliobastoma in her left temporal lobe, just 3 weeks after her 16th birthday in March of 2004. She had surgery the next day and the surgeons were able to remove most of the tumour, but not all.  Read the rest of Hilary’s inspiring story by clicking here…

Friend Friday: Too Many Lemons

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“You know that saying: “When life gives you lemons make lemonade”? This is what happens when life gives you too many lemons!”

Sarah, from 'Too Many Lemons'

Too Many Lemons is 25-year old Sarah’s blog. She is a daughter, sister, friend and brain cancer survivor from Toronto, Ontario. She has been chronicaling her journey on her blog since her November 2010 diagnosis. Her posts are witty and real. Check out Sarah’s story today.