I am uniting with others to make a difference in the fight against brain tumors. I am passionate about this cause, so I’m taking action. I need your help in this fight. National Brain Tumor Society will not rest until a cure exists - but more needs to be done. Please join in my effort!  

Nine years ago my husband underwent necessary back surgery. The surgery took longer than expected as well as his recovery. During his stay in the hospital, I juggled work, the care of our 5 children and being by his side. After a few days, he was released to come home under my care.

12 hours after my husband was released I bent down to take off his compression socks and felt dizzy. I ended up passing out and hitting my head. With limited movement, my husband called 911.
When I arrived at the hospital I expressed an urgency to get back home to take care of my family. They said they would do a quick scan and then release me. We assumed that I wasn’t eating, drinking or sleeping enough which is why my pressure dropped and caused the fainting. The next thing I know, I see a group of doctors heading towards my room, (in my mind, thinking doctors of doom!) One of the doctors held my hand and told me that I have the biggest mass he has ever seen. They called my husband on speaker to discuss the urgency of my condition and they would not allow me to go home.
We learned the next morning my mass was wrapped around my carotid artery but mostly in my front left quadrant. Due to size of the mass and location, I was advised I would have eventually stroked out from the pressure on my carotid. Surgery was necessary. I was advised not to look online at probable survival rates, so of course it was the first thing I did. There was a 50% chance of survival with this surgery... WHAT!!! My immediate thought, I have 5 kids , survival was the only option. I told my doctor I needed 3 weeks to prep since my husband was only out of the hospital for one day.
Three weeks later I had a full craniotomy and found out I had a very large life threatening malignant tumor. They were able to remove 90% of my mass and I underwent 6 weeks of radiation. I woke up with a non functioning left eye which was a bit of a shocker, but I woke up!

My recovery was not easy, but not horrible. My vision came back on Christmas Eve.
I am currently stable and living life to the fullest.
My journey is about hope , faith and love. I felt so much love around me from my husband, my kids, my friends and my church. I knew survival was my only option..."