If I had never been encouraged to go to the hospital by Vanessa when I started experiencing right-side numbness at the beginning of April, my out-patient diagnosis would be happening today. My MRI was scheduled for May 8th, and it was scheduled to be reviewed by an Opthomologist today, May 28th. I would be finding out about a brain tumour today, and probably starting treatment in another two weeks. Instead, I only have two weeks of chemo and 8 radiation sessions left for the initial treatment!
I learned that it's important to listen to the signs that your body is giving you and seek help right away if something is wrong. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it's better to know sooner and get treated if something is wrong than it is to wait.
During the course of my treatment, I have also learned very important lessons in self-advocating. Even if I feel like I'm being annoying, I keep pressing my issues until I feel that they have been properly addressed. This has been really hard for me to do, but I think I'm getting better at it.
I've also learned the value of asking for help. It's funny, I've taken countless Entrepreneuring Classes where they teach the value of asking for help and talk about how much humans love to help each other, but the lesson never really sunk in with me because I really value being strong and independent. But over the course of my treatment so far I have gained so much from simply asking for help when I need it! I hope someone else can find the strength to ask for help from this post without having to get a cancer diagnosis hahaha.
Just hoping the treatment will be fully successful and you can get back to normal living soon. Sending you hugs from the McAndrews (including the Katz).
Thank you Vanessa 💖