This week’s story comes to us from Brenda, a member of the NBTS Patient Support Network. Brenda, age 44, is a survivor diagnosed in 2007 with an anaplastic astrocytoma. She describes her experience below.

Please tell us a little about where you were or what were you doing when you when you first diagnosed or had symptoms.
I will never forget where I was when I found out about my brain tumor. We had a regular MRI for my MS. By the time we got home there was a message from my neurologist’s office that I was seeing for my MS. We tried calling the office, but they were closed. I had this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and I just knew something was wrong. The next day my husband went to work. I called the neurologist’s office as soon as they opened and they said they needed to see me right away. I asked them why but she wouldn’t tell me. I called my husband who proceeded to leave work immediately. While driving home in the car he called the office again and demanded they tell us. He told them that we were already thinking the worse so they might as well tell us now and they did. When he got home and told me, we both just sat on the floor and cried and held each other for a very long time. If I was having any symptoms they were masked by my MS as I later found out. The symptoms of a brain tumor are similar to MS symptoms.

What is one piece of advice you would have for someone who is newly diagnosed?
Put on your boxing gloves. By “boxing gloves” I mean faith, knowledge, and a positive attitude and fight this disease with everything you have. KNOW that you can beat this.

What have you learned from this experience?
It was a wake-up call for me to change my life and live differently. I now try to value every moment of every day and don’t dwell on the negative things in my life. Also, get away from toxic people in your life.

What is the most helpful thing someone has said or done for you?
I surrounded myself with survivor stories and positive people. I’m not saying don’t be realistic, but don’t let negativity override your life. I was once told that for every cancer out there, there is a survivor.

If you use a creative outlet or form of expression, what is it and how has it affected you?
I love music so I like to turn up the music very loud and dance around the house (or anywhere). I also like to work in my flower gardens.

Describe your experience/journey in three words:
In the beginning fear; then healing; and now happiness.

Does your tumor have a name?
No, I don’t want to have a personal relationship with it so I didn’t give it a name

If you could have your own personal theme song, what would it be?
“Just Keep Swimming” by Dori from the movie Nemo.

How do you feel before you go in for your next MRI? Do you experience feelings of anxiousness or stress? Do you use any coping strategies to prepare or relax before, during, or after you routine MRIs?
When I was going through treatment, I wasn’t overly worried because I knew something was in there eating away at the tumor. After treatment, I became more concerned with each MRI. I hope that my future MRI’s will get less stressful as time goes on. I have to stand strong in my faith that it will get easier as time goes on and hold onto FAITH and HOPE. I used visualization & guided meditation before, during and after all my MRI’s. I have a CD that I play during my MRI’s.