Brain tumors, Cysts and the Diagnosis: Part 1 if my brain surgery story

I know of a lady who named her various brain tumors after her ex-husbands.  I wasn't quite as good natured as she to do that much (and I don't have any ex's) but I think it was to her credit that she did.

It's crazy hard to be told that you have a brain tumor.  So many of you already know parts of my story, but I am finally doing what I told myself I would do in those rough weeks of recovery: write about it so that another person, who may be caught in a scary diagnosis would have an idea of what happens.  And also to thank all of you.  My friends and church members doctors, and especially family, who supported me and helped me through it all.

At the time of my diagnosis, I was a content mother of 3, rolling along happily married to my best friend (still the case), trying to not go crazy having my hands so full.  All of our energies were going into raising kids who could grow up in a healthy 2 parent household that actually loves being together.  That has always been our goal.  Though not easy, neither me or my husband saw what was coming with the whole tumor thing.

Avoiding the Anxiety Sucker Punch

First, some background: I have struggled with anxiety since 2011, when I underwent brain surgery and had a really difficult time healing.  The process was long and I found my anxiety impeded my ability to gauge what was real and what was not (health wise).  It's a very tricky thing, anxiety.  It consumes your ability to evaluate your sense of self, and it can be emotionally rending.

I sought help and found it (thankfully - life became overwhelmingly hard with anxiety).  I found a wonderful counselor that helped me to re-think anxiety and taught me how to cope.  I saw my doctor, who helped me with medications and directed me towards many of the suggestions I include below.  I was open about how I struggled - with my husband and other family members who loved me regardless.  I learned to depend upon God in ways I never had before, and He helped me in tangible ways.

With all that help, I'm much healthier and happier now.  I still struggle with anxiety, but on the whole am as happy as ever.  It does get better with time and effort.

Avoiding the Anxiety Sucker Punch