Family & Friends,

The walk is back in September once again this year! We always get excited for this event!

This event always reminds us of the day we got the news in 2007 of my brain tumor, less than a week after my unexpected seizure. The words "brain tumor" are never something you expect to hear out of the mouth of your doctor. Instantly it was as if this moment wasn't happening to me. These things only happen to other people, right? Not really knowing much about brain tumors (and the general practitioner not having much information to share), I didn't know how long I might have to live. The doctor knew so little that she couldn't even give me an idea as to what to expect. After getting the news on a Friday afternoon, we had to wait the entire weekend to find out more about my brain tumor. Tony and I spent a lot of time crying and reflecting on God's plan for our lives. This September will commemorate 16 years and 11 months since my diagnosis. After radiation and a year of chemo, my tumor has shrunk from the size of a small orange to the size of a pea.

However, in 2020, my doctor had taken a second look at my MRIs and compared them side-by-side. He came to the conclusion that there was slight growth in my pea-sized tumor, and that I should have brain surgery. The doctor was going to be able to remove 90-95% of the tumor without residual effects (they thought). That was not the case. He removed the majority of the tumor, as planned, but it affected my brain, therefore my body, more than we had anticipated. We were so hopeful that we dropped off our son at his grandparents' house with only a few days' change of clothes. Maybe we were naive, but we thought it'd be the "best case scenario" results and I'd be back on my feet again in no time. (Remember, it was July 2020 and there were still all the restrictions in place. So I went without seeing my son and all my family for about a month). But I had God on my side, and He got me through one of the most difficult times in my life. I had to re-learn to walk, speak, do fine motor skills and gain all my strength back. It was a long process. But God and all your prayers got me through. I have to thank my husband, who was by my side every single day in the hospital or rehab center, and son for both being so patient with me during these very trying times. I know it was difficult on them too. And since my surgery, with nine months of chemo, the MRIs have resulted in “no evidence of residual tumor” found. Hooray! That news is music to my ears.

I continue to be so blessed by God that I can live my life everyday as if I am tumor free.  However, there are thousands of people who struggle to stay alive because of brain cancer.

Please come out to Sloan's Lake, Saturday, September 28th and walk or run the 5k to help support the fight against brain tumors!

Love, Mindy, Tony and Evan