Twenty year TUMORVERSARY

Today I celebrate 7300 days since my very first brain surgery ( I have had 5)! I have had some amazing days and my share of not so amazing days. The most important take away is I was given days others with brain cancer did not get. I don’t take that for granted.   So…

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Senator John McCain’s Death from Brain Tumor Triggers Sadness

After learning of Senator McCain’s passing yesterday, it triggered reflection and some sadness.  Let me explain. I love encouraging and sharing support. I believe it is what I was created to do, however this calling comes with a price. When you help those who are living with a disease that has no cure building relationships is…

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There was support! I was not alone.

It was my honeymoon weekend that we attend our first brain tumor support group together. It was the 2001 Florida Brain Tumor Association conference. In 2000 I attended a BT conference in CA. It caused me to want more. At that event, I heard this GBM survivor named David M Bailey sing a song called…

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19 Years Ago Brain Surgery Began

It was the morning of 9-2-98 Micheal drove me to Barrow and we checked in to pre-op. Some things you never forget.  My dad had given me a shirt that said don’t forget your dad loves you and it had his photo on the front so I made sure I was wearing that so he…

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Brain Buddie Survivor Story: John Van Wagner

My name is John Van Wagner and May 30th 1995 after an 8.5 hour surgery I was told I had a menigioma brain tumor.   It was benign  but it  wrapped around my facial nerve and left my face almost completly paralyzed.  I had to endure reconstructive surgery and thankfully was able to regain some movement…

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