Anyone else a cancer survivor?

[Andrew Brunelle]

I was just curious if anyone else has beaten cancer besides me on this forum and if you have any inspirational stories to share. Here's what happened to me:

I was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 16 and was rushed into emergency surgery because my tumors were pinching off the ventricles in my brain. I was on vacation when this happened. I had two emergency surgeries, followed by a trip home and an eventual major surgery with 64 stitches in the back of my head, followed by 30 days of radiation treatment. I lost my hair, my appetite, my sense of self, but I knew inside myself that I would survive this curveball I had been thrown.

I am now 21 years old and have not had any sort of relapse. I am pretty healthy, except I have some small disabilities due to midbrain damage, but I am feeling good internally and I have learned to accept myself with my faults and all. I know what I am capable of, and I know I can do anything I want to. I have what is known as Parinaud's Syndrome, which has to do with me not being able to look upwards or to the sides with much success. I also have pupil problems where they do not react to light/dark very quickly, but very, very slowly. But I know I could have been dead, so I am grateful for every second I have, I am grateful to still exist in this physical plane and my spirit has learned quite a bit on this journey. I hope other people have stories like this to shrae, not just about cancer, but any kind of illness-overcoming inspirational story. I feel so good when I read about similar experiences.

[marktb]

Andrew, great story man. I am inspired even more. I have been more inspired these past 3 days than in the last year and I've been a here-and-there reader of Steve's posts. I truly believe each of us has magical powers but we've forgotten them.

Mark Baldwin

[escapee]

One of my Aunts is a cancer survivor and she has been eating a near vegetarian diet (some diary + ocassional meat ) for almost 10+ years with some supplementation ( Fish oil , Pills for blood sugar control ) to keep her blood sugar/bad cholesterol level in check ( Cancer loves sugar ) . She definitely looks alot healthier and younger than those in her age who are not afflicted by the disease .

[Mitalp]

Andrew, very inspiring story. My mother has been recently diagnosed with cancer and I have that same internal feeling you had about overcoming this curve ball. Thanks for sharing!

[thest]

Thanks for your story
I'm a Tuberculosis survivour. I was not as badly sick as you were. I spent about a year in the hospitals. I met a lot of great people and they helped me a lot. They opened my eyes. And this illness changed me at all. I'm not the man I used to be. And I'm greatfull this happened to me anyway.

[shant121]

Hey Andrew,

One of my uncles back in India is 70 years old. He retired and was diagnosed with cancer, about 8 years ago. After retiring he left the city and went to his village where he started farming on a small scale, growing all sorts of fruits and veggies, esp mangoes..just to keep busy. His cancer occurs as a recurring "growth" in different parts of his body.

He has to come back to the city (Bombay) every three months to get a chemotherapy injection. Immediately after the injection, he boards an overnight train to his village. Once home, he resumes work on the farm the next morning, managing people there and is on his feet for hours at a stretch...generally keeps himself very busy. He is also very involved in the social activities in the village and a lot of people consult him for advice on various topics.

He has noticed that his WBC counts come up much faster when he is working in the village. On the other hand, he takes much longer to recover from chemotherapy if he decides to stay back in the city and rest!

He never complains, is always positive, excited and always keeps himself occupied. We feel its his awesome attitude and the 'village lifestyle' (natural, closer to nature) that keeps him hale and hearty despite the cancer. My aunt cooks fresh food all the time, by fresh I mean from freshly plucked fruits and veggies! Its as fresh as it can get! and tastes great too The unpolluted air and naturally mineral rich well water (fyi: which he consumes without filtering) helps a ton.

Since he is busy, he never has time to cry and worry about his health and to think of stupid things. His mind is preoccupied with great plans for what to grow on the farm, how to increase the profits, how to recycle and reuse, finding solutions to various problems.....its always positive, uplifting things and all about growth and overcoming challenges

Its always insipiring to meet and speak with him. He reminds me again and again, that I need to thank God and live every day to the fullest )

[Jehosephat]

I'm also a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 10. I had about 3 years of treatment. Initially I had radiation and chemotherapy to break up a large mass that had grown in my chest. This was actually too successful and delivered quite a blow to my kidneys, which resulted in dialysis. I guess it was touch and go there for a while, but I was pretty out of it during most of that time. After I was out of the woods, I started a two year regimen of chemotherapy and made it into remission. I am always amazed at how my family helped get me through all of it and how much other families supported my own. It also has given me a special appreciation and gratitude for my life and helps motivate me to make the most of it.