GO GRAY IN MAY
May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Unfortunately, brain tumors are something I am very aware of.
Almost 28-years ago, at the age of 63, my mother succumbed to brain cancer. Her eight-month battle with the disease is a part of my life I will never forget. Sadly, in the 28 years since my mom’s death, there has been very little advancement in therapies for this horrific disease.
Brain cancer is a horrible way to die. It is unrelenting and to watch a loved one deteriorate with this disease is something that no one should have to go through. So, each May, brain tumor advocates write to their Senators and Congressmen to increase funding for research, we fundraise using the “Go Gray in May” campaign slogan, and participate in numerous walks/runs happening throughout the country.
I assure you that this is not the only time of the year, people touched by brain tumors advocate. If you have been touched by this disease, you automatically become part of a community in which you don’t want to belong; one that deals with the after-math of the disease every day. The month of May, however, does give us the opportunity to build awareness of brain tumors in a greater way and that is what I hope to accomplish with this Musing.
My mother’s story didn’t end well, but it did end as the statistics predicted. The survival rate for a malignant brain tumor, like the one my mother had (glioblastoma), is seven percent, and the patient typically dies between 8-18 months of diagnosis. Mom was right on schedule.
Not all brain tumors are malignant, nor life threatening, but any patient will tell you that your life changes the moment you hear the diagnosis. There are 120 brain tumor types, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. Symptoms of a brain tumor range from seizures, to worsening headaches, dizziness, vision issues, nausea and vomiting, and behavioral changes. It’s quite the laundry list of ailments which have long-term repercussions.
There are resources available for patients and families and, of course, these organizations support necessary research. I encourage you to donate. Links are available below.
My hope is that no one should have to go through what my family went through. It’s been 28 years since I became a member of this Community, but not a day goes by that I don’t remember how a brain tumor impacted my life. Go Gray in May!
American Brain Tumor Association: www.abta.org
National Brain Tumor Society: www.braintumor.org
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada: www.braintumour.ca
