Making A Life

As a designer I LOVE a good before and after makeover. Before I went in for surgery to remove a brain tumour named Timmy, I joked about my brain being closed for renovations. On March 18, 2015 two years ago today I was diagnosed with a brain tumour standing in the hallway of emergency in my jammies. It was the worst day of my life (hopefully for ever).

Today two years later I am fully recovered from my renovations and I must say that my neurosurgeon did an amazing job. He really knows how to use that skull saw, and drill! Because I wanted all of the gory details, I ordered my surgery report and read it with a much needed bottle of wine. Aside from the metal plate holding my brain in, and the three inch scar running down the back of my head I am as good as new.

Timmy took up residence in my cerebellum the part of the brain which coordinates movement. On my one year surgery anniversary I tested my cerebellum with a paddle board yoga class, and although I took a dip in the Welland canal my balance has never been better. I still can’t dance but I’m pretty sure my lack of dance ability is a genetic defect and not brain tumour related.

What I have learned from having a brain tumour, and now being a brain tumour survivor has changed me forever. For the better I think 😉 Plus I have one hell of a scar.

No makeover is complete without pictures, so here is my brain with a brain tumour and 3 months after surgery.

Before with Timmy (white circle bottom right)

After without Timmy