The story of an unexpected road to recovery in the midst of Covid. Thank you Donna for sharing, you are an inspiration and a true fighter! |
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When Life Takes A Big Turn! I was diagnosed with a Meningioma on March 17, 2020, and scheduled for surgery on April 8, 2020. I wasn’t really concerned about it because my neurosurgeon had told me that I would go into the hospital the day before the surgery and come out the day after. I didn’t see how this was possible since they were operating on my BRAIN!!! Now, this was at the beginning of Covid-19 restrictions, so my husband had to just drop me off at the hospital and leave. So I had my surgery, and 3 days later when I woke up, I couldn't move my entire right side, I had a mitten on my left hand so I couldn't rip out my IV, I couldn’t talk, and I was very agitated because I didn’t know what was happening to me. |
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I was diagnosed with a grade 2 atypical meningioma of the left frontal lobe. I had to spend 2 weeks in the ICU and then they transferred me by ambulance to an in-patient rehab center, where I had to learn to walk again. I also had to learn to speak, feed myself, shower, etc. When I came home I had several weeks of in-home physical and occupational therapy, then outpatient which I am still attending, and plan to stop at the end of this year (2021). I have a therapist that I see once a month and she has been so helpful but she never had a brain tumor so she can’t connect with me on the same level. I think it was June 2021 when Angel invited me to join this Brain Tumor Zoom Support Group (BTZSG). I knew I needed a place where I could talk about this and try to process it all with others who understood how I felt. I was reluctant at first but I am so glad I did it. I have met some wonderful people who I now consider my friends and family. I am so grateful to Angel for encouraging me to join. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I really believe this group saved my life and I am extremely thankful. *Donna is from North Carolina and has been a BTZSG participant since August 2021. She has joined 14 sessions. |
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Neurosurgeon LifeCheck out Dr. David Langer on Soundcloud |
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Listen in on Dr. David Langer of Lenox Hill. He does an excellent job providing insight into what a day in the life of a neurosurgeon looks like. He states "Death is in some ways easier to handle than a bad complication (like a stroke)." Lenox Hill is a great "real" show and this interview is worth giving a half-hour of your time to. Listen here |
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Set your 2022 intention to chat with us! |
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Connect with others on the brain tumor journey. Here are a handful of reasons our peer-to-peer group is beneficial. - Meet new people who "GET IT"
- Express your feelings, gain self-awareness
- Learn helpful information and educate yourself
- Better understand the symptoms of this diagnosis
- Improve your social and listening skills
- Feel hope and reduce stress/fear
- Help others and pay kindness forward
- Enjoy a judgment free zone
- Get real patient advice directly from the source
- Prepare for your surgery/ treatment/ recovery
- Have fun, laugh, cry, vent, and feel part of a community.
Don't be shy save your seat today! Meningioma Companion is a safe space where you can make new friends around the globe that you can depend on to listen and care for you. Reply to this email to reserve your spot! |
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The best first step is simply to start! |
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New year new you right? Always easier said than done. I love this illustration and message on this meme. You can't get anywhere if you don't start. Even if you fall back, get banged up, and have to start over you never make it to the top without starting. About a decade ago I learned to stop setting an absurd amount of goals in the new year. I now live present, in the act of doing, and I am always starting. When I stop doing and fall back, I quickly reset and become present to my setback so I can reaccess and get back to moving forward. |
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Another great message that is similar to the one above. Failure is in the eyes of the beholder. We have the opportunity to turn our failures and setbacks into successes stories if we just take the time to view our situation differently. How will you reevaluate your challenges this year? Never give up until you have tried everything possible to move forward! Wishing you a 2022 filled with love, support, and endless hope so that you can achieve all you set out to do! Thank you for being you and for being a part of the Meningioma Companion Community! |
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Copyright © 2022 Meningioma Companion All Rights Reserved *The information provided in this newsletter is not to be perceived as medical advice, simply information that is shared by brain tumor peers. Meningioma Companion is not contracted or paid to promote any of the people, companies, or groups that are shared on this platform. To unsubscribe from Meningioma Companion reply STOP to this email and if willing please share why you decided to leave. |
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