What we learned in February 2021 |
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Every month I take a moment to share what we learned the prior month in our Brain Tumor Zoom Support Groups (BTZSG). We can never know enough about this condition and there is officially no better place to learn. Together we are engaging with our peers in real-time; sharing is caring and we need more of this generosity in our world! THANK YOU ALL who participate, this would not be possible without you! |
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Fatigue, Fatigue, and more Fatigue |
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The exhaustion from a brain tumor diagnosis is no joke. For some patients, the fatigue kicks in during watch and wait, but for many of us, it is post-surgery, chemo, or radiation that the fatigue takes over. There is something that happens to us when our brain is altered in some way. None of us can understand why we can feel so healthy, motivated, and focused one day and then so wiped out the next day. We all have learned there is no rhyme or reason to it, it's all about accepting the fact that we will have good days and bad days; neither of which will be predictable. The best advice is to practice conserving your energy when you do feel good, if you push too hard and use it all up it leads to burn-out. |
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Having private conversations with a licensed talk therapist is a huge help to many patients with this diagnosis. Our condition comes with unexpected ups and downs. No matter how hard you try to ignore or run from your brain tumor status, it will always be there to greet you in a variety of ways throughout life. Processing the "brain tumor you" and setting realistic expectations of what you will need going forward takes time and effort. Seeking a therapist is easier than ever in our virtual world. A tip from one of our members is to use Psychology Today. On this site, you can enter in your preferences and available therapists that meet your criteria will pop up. Give it a try and if you do, stay true to the process. Part of healing is committing yourself to the time it takes to be your best self, that process could be three months or it could be three years. |
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A shunt is used to drain extra cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your brain. CSF is the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. It's made in the ventricles (hollow spaces) inside your brain. CSF protects your brain and spinal cord by acting as a cushion. The shunt itself is a narrow tube inserted in the brain in the fluid-filled ventricle, the tube is then placed under the skin to another part of the body (usually the abdomen, sometimes the lung area), to help relieve pressure. A shunt allows patients to live a much more comfortable life post-surgery free from excess swelling and pressure. A cool app called HydroAssist can help patients to manage their shunt. Gotta love technology! |
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Take Time for You & Join a BTZSG! |
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You may have noticed we are learning a lot every month. Together we truly are stronger! Even if you think you have nothing to say, or feel you may not like this group setting, I invite you to log in and listen to us. No matter what session you choose to participate in, your first group is FREE. Check out what our Brain Tumor Zoom Support Groups are all about! | | |
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How am I doing as your Host? |
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March marks six months since I began to gather people to lend brain tumor peer support in ways that no other friend, family, or acquaintance can. This process has been therapeutic for me and I believe it has brought benefit to all who have participated. If you read and appreciate these newsletters, follow me on Facebook, or participate in my Support Groups, I encourage you to leave me a review to share with others how I am doing. People on the fence about the legitimacy of Meningioma Companion will be inspired by your confidence in what I'm doing for our community. Current review platforms: YELP or FACEBOOK. Thank You! - Angel |
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