I survived a brain tumor-- the story, and a thank you to ST

[gameFACE]

WOW!! Glad to hear you're doing well, my friend! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[2Blonde]

Samr,
at 19 how did you find out you had osteoporosis? You also mentioned that since this surgery the osteoporosis might get better, did they say how long that might take?

[Samr]

Samr,
at 19 how did you find out you had osteoporosis? You also mentioned that since this surgery the osteoporosis might get better, did they say how long that might take?

We found out about the osteoporosis when I was 17, after I fractured basically my tail bone while running x-country (in my defense: I still finished the run, 1.5 miles back to campus). This was my 8th break, the weirdest of which included a broken wrist from falling while standing up, onto shag carpet. We demanded a bone density test after the x-country thing, and the rest is history. It is EXTREMELY rare for a juvenile male to have osteoporosis, and there have only been 195 do ented cases world-wide of my exact condition. I don't know what the odds are here (too lazy to do the math), but I'm thinking I should go to Vegas soon.

At this time we are not completely sure it was caused by the tumor, but a known and experienced surgeon said it has a high probability of being the cause. I've been tested for two years straight, by approx 5-7 doctors ("experts"), and they're still clueless about why I have the condition (for every condition, there is almost always a cause). But, since one respected and actually trusted doctor said she was certain my osteoporosis was because of the tumor, and enough other doctors have agreed with her, we're going with that for the time being. It is not life-threatening or getting worse anyway, and is only a kind of weird sidebar to my life. I think it is funny, but if the tumor did cause the condition, I would certainly be happy to get rid of it. The closer to "normal" I am, the better.

I am really not trusting doctors right now. Except for Vardimin. He is a hero as far as I'm concerned.

[spurs=bling]

Wow..Glad to hear you are doing better though. I wish you the best in your recovery.

[Slomo]

Samr,

I'm really happy you're still with us and that, judging from your post, you are slowly but surely winning the battle (and hopefully the war too).

A few comments:

- I'm glad ST helped you forget about your ordeal a little, but a word of warning: There's a Beno thread in the Spurs section I wouldn't read if I were you. Not until you're much stronger at least. We may have to put a cigarette-type health warning on that one.

- A trip to Vegas sounds good, but you may have used your luck for a much better prize already

- Regarding not trusting doctors I completely understand what you mean, but at the same time you don't really have a choice. I guess trying to be as informed about your diagnosed (or undiagnosed) medical condition is the best way to separate the bad doctors from the good ones (and thank God there's still a lot of those around).

[Taco]

GLAD YOU'RE DOING BETTER!!!

[1369]

Samr, look at it this way.

Even with all the crap you've had to endure, and getting your brain cut on, your posts still make more sense than anything ducks or boutons has ever posted.

So you've got that going for you.

[Shelly]

One of my main symptoms were frequent (as in, every day) migraine headaches. My main physician attributed these to allergies, we attributed them to my osteoporosis medication, and I was given another extensive blood test just in case. But no head x-rays. (This doctor is now scared of us and in general hoping we forget he exists... if we were mad about him not diagnosing it or at least ordering a head x-ray, with the clear symptoms, we could make his life suck. We just find it funny that he's scared of us.)

There was a kid on my street that went through the same thing. He kept getting headaches and they thought allergies also. Until one day when his brother accidently hit him in the head with a baseball. X-ray confirmed a brain tumor. His was malignant, though. He was in and out of chemo and I believe was in remission twice. He also had a bone marrow transplant. He fought the battle for 5 years, but sadly he lost his battle at age 13 this past winter.

[Shelly]

Samr, look at it this way.

Even with all the crap you've had to endure, and getting your brain cut on, your posts still make more sense than anything ducks or boutons has ever posted.

So you've got that going for you.

I'm still trying to figure out what Ducks posted in the 'Business Advice' topic!

[O-Factor]

Wow, what an awesome and inspirational story! I pray your recovery continues with success, God Bless.

[alamo50]

But Sam, I always knew there was something wrong with your head.



Glad to know all is well now and that you use this place to share your story with others so you can fight the boredom while recovering.

One step at a time, one step at a time.

Keep us up-to-date bro.

[marini martini]

What an inspiring story Sam, thanks so much for sharing. I'll be looking forward to reading more posts on your improvement.

[v2freak]

[marini martini]

May I ask, the name of your X/country coach??????? Just wondering