How I found out I had a brain tumor

Even back when I was a child, I always knew there was something wrong with me. Whether that was true insight or just a self-fulfilling prophecy I do not know. All I do know is I remember the day I was told I had a brain tumor and the beginning of a long journey.

I was 32 years old, newly married, had a great new job at a prestigous law firm and with my two children (ages 14 and 11), my life could not have been better. I was happy and life was great! I do remember I kept going to the dentist and having my teeth pulled because they were bothering me and they hurt. I only had two back teeth pulled but it was starting to bother me because I wanted to save my teeth not keep having them pulled. But being my insurance would only pay to have them pulled and the pain I was having, I had no choice. Also I had this great new job and really could not afford to be taking time off from work. This was my opportunity to get off government assistance for good and nothing was going to stop me. So in April, 2003 I made an appointment with my dentist for the extraction. On that particular day, I took one of my anxiety pills because I am petrified to go to the dentist. The dental assistant leads me in the exam room, has me get comfortable (yeah right), and wait for the dentist. Boy it seemed like I waited a long time. The more I waited, the more nervous I got. Finally an x-ray technician comes in and takes some e-rays of my teeth. I remember she asked me where it hurt and I told her it hurt on my left side on the top and the bottom. Actually it hurt all over the left side of my face. She took e-rays of the top and the bottom and told me the dentist would be in shortly.

The dentist came in the room, took a look at the e-rays, and said, "I don't know how to tell you this but I cannot pull your tooth because there is nothing wrong with your tooth, your insurance will not cover an extraction". Well to say I was disappointed was an understatment! I asked the Dentist what I should do and he told me to call my doctor and have a CAT scan to check my sinuses.

So immediately after leaving the dentist's office, I called my Doctor. I explained to her what happened, and she promised she would schedule the CAT scan. Later that same day I got a telephone call from the local hospital asking me if I was available the next day to have the CAT scan. Of course I was and I scheduled the appointment.

The next day after work I went to the hospital and had the CAT scan. It was a quick procedure and on my way out I ran into an old friend of mine who worked as a technician there. We talked for a few minutes and I left. I didn't know it at the time but she already knew they found something. I thought it was strange that she kept trying to talk to me almost like she didn't want me to go. But I was in a hurry to get home. It must be hard to know that kind of information about a friend and not be able to tell them.

The following day I received a telephone call from my doctor to come in to her office at my convenience. Okay now I'm starting to feel weird. When your doctor asks you to come see her at your convenience as soon as possible sends up red flags! Somehow I managed to get through work and flew out the door and headed to my doctors office. When I got there the receptionist greeted me as usual but then got busy and buzzed the doctor in her office and whispered something. Next thing I know the doctor is at the door to the waiting room waving me in.

I follow the doctor to her office and she asks me to have a seat and pulls out some paperwork. It of course was the CAT scan results. She proceeds to tell me they found a mass in my brain that needed to be followed up on. She gets on the phone with me right there and calls a neurologist. Next, she faxes the CAT scan results to the Neurologist and they continue to talk. I don't remember exactly what I was thinking at the time but next thing I remember she gave me an appointment card for the Neurologist, reassured me the best she could, almost downplaying the whole thing, and told me to call if I needed anything. When I finally got into my car and sat down I realized I had been holding my breath for I don't know how long. Trying to get my breath back to normal and get my thoughts in order, I just sat there.