Five Pieces of Advice
Hello, my name is Bruce, a survivor of adult ependymoma since 1995. January 27, 2016 will mark 21 years since my initial surgery! I was treated by a nearly complete surgery, and radiation. Since that time, I have suffered no recurrence (thank God!). I have accomplished many, many things in the brain tumor world – yet none of that is as important as this: HOPE.
I have some advice, if you would like it…
- Seek out THE BEST tumor center you can find – it is a FACT better centers have better results.
- Learn all you can about these things – you MUST regain some control, and knowledge IS power.
- Keep your chin up – a diagnosis of a brain tumor DOES NOT equate to a death sentence. I know of one lady who had her craniotomy before I was even born – and I’m OLD!
- Keep smiling – it may not prolong life, but it will make what you have much more enjoyable!
- Find a support group, whether you are a survivor, a caregiver, a family member, or an interested person. Support groups can help you find ALL of the above things.
Remember – it is not how long you live, it’s how WELL you live!
Your life is different now – not necessarily worse, just different.