This week, I am celebrating the 10th anniversary of my brain surgery. There is something about a decade that makes one reflective. I have been thinking a lot about where I was ten years ago and how I got to where I am today. A lot of my life’s journey has been unexpected – even though many of my large life decisions, like marriage and career, went as planned.

I decided to look back on the last ten years and list some of the big moments in my life – related both directly and indirectly to my acoustic neuroma journey. These are chosen somewhat randomly, based on the significance they hold in my memory.

My struggles after brain tumor surgery were primarily related to balance, hearing, and headaches. These specific challenges lend significance to moments that might otherwise pass unobserved. This is a very incomplete list; there are many wonderful moments and difficult challenges not included here.

(All time is listed relative to brain surgery)

• 4-5 weeks: I was back at work part time.
• 6-7 weeks: I was back at work full time.
• 5 months: I went to Italy with my family. My mom and I had been dreaming of this trip for 10 years and had planned the trip before my diagnosis. We made it happen, even though my surgery was somewhat recent.

• 6 months: I received my first bone anchored hearing aid.
• 12 months: We expanded our family business.
• 15 months: I was able to ride my bicycle in the dark. This was an important win, as I often use a bicycle for my work commute and get home after sunset.

• 18 months: I was also able to resume carrying my child in a pack while hiking and snowshoeing and feel safe doing so.
• 2 years: I started volunteering with the Acoustic Neuroma Association as a Peer Mentor.
• 2.5 years: I had my second child.
• 3 years: I lost my mom to cancer.
• 3 years: I started doing paddleboard yoga. I often fall in and get wet but I have so much fun doing it.

• 5 years: I started the Young Adult Support Group with the Acoustic Neuroma Association.

https://www.anausa.org/community/young-adult

• 6 years: We expanded the family business – again.
• 7 years: I ran my first 5k ever.
• 7 years: I went roller blading for the first time.
• 7.5 years: I started doing aerial yoga. It was something I honestly didn’t think I was capable of. I fell in love with it, and it has helped strengthen my balance and add joy to my life.

• 8 years: I started my blog.
• 8 years: I was featured in the Hearing Health Foundation Magazine.

https://view.publitas.com/p222-4764/hearing-health-fall-2023-issue/page/12-13?fbclid=IwY2xjawKZol9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiNLwZlYM7jg2Gft9gMpoWP6vxezeQPowm0pfwmjhGhzHIFpScgtO6HYqqG__aem_8EjpLyL8yYWh0VGM_aeHJQ

• 8 years: I was a 2nd place winner in the national Oticon Hearing Loss Champion Award.
• 9 years: I wrote an article in Hearing Life Magazine.

• 9 years: I attended national convention of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

• 9 years: I started having a series published in the Australian Acoustic Neuroma Association newsletter.
• 9 years: I upgraded my bone anchored hearing aid.
• 9 years: I was a guest on the Happy Hearing Podcast and Hard to Hear It Podcast.

• 10 years: I am participating in an Oticon Medical Advocates weekend to network with other baha users and the company that makes my baha.
• 10 years: I am going to my 2nd national Hearing Loss Association of America convention, and this time, I will be teaching a workshop on Parenting with Hearing Loss.

I share all this not to flaunt my successes, but rather to illustrate how much life can happen after a terrible diagnosis like a brain tumor. When I first heard I had a brain tumor, it felt like life as I knew it was over. My whole world was taken over by my diagnosis. It seemed like the tumor was my entire identity. Slowly, as I recovered and began to live rather than just survive, I learned that I was not just “the girl who had a brain tumor.” I saw how my life was much bigger than my health struggles.

Life sure has not been perfect the last ten years, but it has been full. I have enjoyed many moments and fought through others. I am grateful for the laughter and fun and thankful to have made it through the pain and the struggle.

I’ve had some amazing opportunities and met phenomenal people because of my diagnosis. I would have never guessed in a million years that I would be a blogger, yet here I am. Being able to support people in such a challenging moment has been one of the great joys of my life. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to help others.