Savoring Sweet Second Chances...

"If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance."--Andrea Boydston

Thankfully I received that chance 12 years ago when Dr. Timothy Fullagar removed my meningioma and saved my life.

Here's to celebrating my 12th second chance.

I can finally say...

Whoooooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I'm a 10-year meningioma brain tumor survivor.

Ten years ago today I was granted a second chance at life. This sums it all up.

Second Chance

Nine years ago today, I was granted a second chance at life after surviving a half-day long craniotomy. Who would have thought?!

At the time I was on a frustrating quest to become a mother when my gut instinct ultimately led me to the discovery of a life threatening baseball-sized meningioma brain tumor.

I'll never forget the paralyzing fear as I was rolled towards the OR wondering if I would emerge and if so, what condition I'd be in. Would I still be me? There were no guarantees at the time.

It is a miracle I survived hour after hour of delicate and risky surgery while also avoiding a blood transfusion. Of course this was all unbeknowst to me at the time as my husband, mom, brother, friends and neighbors anxiously paced the Neuro ICU waiting room.

It wasn't my time yet. Every day I am thankful for my second chance at life and for my two beautiful blessings, Hannah and Hunter who saved my life and bestowed the title of mom upon me.

So today I can proudly proclaim, scream, shout, holler... "I am a 9-year meningioma survivor!" Damn that feels good!