Making A Life

 

On August 7th 2015 I went into the hospital to have a meningioma tumour removed from my brain. The experience was no picnic, but I survived and a year later I am thriving. I blogged all about my brainy experiences pre and post surgery, and if you are interested in the gory details they are all there in the BRAIN TUMOUR tab at the top of every page.

I celebrated the one-year anniversary of having my skull cut open and Timmy the tumour extracted, on August 7th, 2016. It was a monumental occasion for me and one that I am thrilled to be able to celebrate. Timmy the tumour lived in the cerebellum region of my brain which is the part of the brain that coordinates muscular activity. Pre-surgery I had some issues with dizziness, headaches and was advised to limit my activities to those that would not increase my blood pressure. I also had to keep my wine intake to a minimum as my balance wasn’t exactly ideal.

To celebrate my brain-iversary, I found it appropriate to participate in a Yoga Paddleboard class and attend a craft beer festival. Neither activity would have been recommended a year prior. I might still need a little balance practice as I fell off my paddle board into the Welland Canal! I did the entire Yoga session smelling like a wet dog :(.

My mom happened to win tickets at a charity raffle for the paddle boarding session and also booked the class for my sister and I not recognizing the significance of the date. After the paddle boarding and a shower my husband, sister, brother-in-law and I attended the Niagara Craft Beer Festival. Paddleboard Yoga and Beer what a perfect combo to celebrate a successful craniotomy recovery!

A year later Timmy is history, and I have no residual damage. I can hear out of both ears, have regained my balance (maybe not enough to stay dry during paddleboard yoga), and have almost 100% of the feeling back in my head. For the operation a 4″ by 2″ section of hair was removed from my scalp but my hair has grown about 4″ and is almost long enough to put into my ponytail.

I am looking forward to celebrating my brain-iversary each and every year with flair and without Timmy!