A Tale of Importance...
Well it's that time of the month, to share our tale. It's Trevor again, with another chapter to share of Brenda's life. Before we go on with our subject this month, I want to let you all know, that Brenda celebrated her 10th Craniversary on September 8th. That ended up being a double celebration, as her uncle's life was honored that day as well. Brenda told me it was great to see so many of her cousins and friends, that she hadn't seen in years. She also told me, that she's never laughed so hard at a memorial or celebration service, as it truly was.They had a chance to visit a bit after and had some pictures taken. New memories were created that day. A family loop has been formed on Facebook and they still keep in touch. I wonder if dogs could start a bone group? BOL
Brenda wanted me to share some items of importance, hence our tale. As you know, Brenda has lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 27 years and recently became a 10 year brain tumor survivor.
There is more than meets the eye, living with these 2 challenges. First off, Brenda no longer uses the word suffer. She lives with RA. She had a great conversation with her primary care physician (PCP) sharing this fact, when he sees her, he doesn't want to think; " Oh there's Brenda who suffers with RA, but there is Brenda the person, and so much more. Get where I'm going with this? BOL
Words do matter or how we use them in context. Brenda realizes that her RA is not going away any time soon, or at least until there is a cure. Make no mistake, Brenda has hope and believes with all of her heart, that may one day become a reality. "HOPE is Everything!"
Having a positive mindset is paramount as well. Having had a brain tumor, took care of that detail all on its own. Brenda's brain tumor was located in the right frontal lobe, or which is considered the *High functioning level of the Brain*... so this can cause Brenda to react more quickly, either with tears or anger. This is referred to as Frontal Lobe Syndrome. It's a real thing, folks! It was scary for Brenda, during her first year as a brain tumor survivor. She now knows it's normal or her new normal. What is normal anyway? Brenda heard this quote once; "The only thing that's normal is the setting on your washing machine." I put quotes around this, because we didn't come up with that idea. You get the concept? That was something that Brenda's father, who I never got to meet, always said. Brenda would always chuckle, when he said it. It makes sense though, doesn't it?
Now with relationship to her brain tumor experience. Brenda despises that word *Benign*... it gives it a confusing connotation, that it's not serious enough. She prefers to use the words nonmalignant or noncancerous. It was something that should not have been there. There are over 130 types of brain tumors according to the World Health Organization or WHO.
Nonmalignant or noncancerous brain tumors can be just as difficult to treat as malignant ones, so that word *Benign* is not fine! She has known of those who have had the same type of brain tumor (meningioma) because of location, turning out to be serious. Let me cite some examples. How about having to learn to walk again, losing your hearing, eyesight, glaucoma, infections involving the bone flap, not being able to get your skull put back together properly, etc. By the way, all so called *Benign* meningioma brain tumors.
Your life is forever changed, after such an experience. All that Brenda is asking, is that you do not downplay or discount what she has been through, because she supposedly had a *Benign* brain tumor. There is the other factor, that some of the residual effects linger on, even after months or years. You are never the same again. You find your new normal, but deep down inside, that person is still there. You however, may be different on the outside, and that can be frustrating having to experience new challenges, or for those around you, who don't understand or get it!
Brenda has chosen to make the best of things. She became a writer because of this experience and T Man here, is all a part of that. This blog would never have been created, had it not been for that brainstorm, hence the title. Brenda's Brainstorm became an inspiration out of the blue, one Friday morning, while she sat down to write her first blog post. She had no idea, that 9 years later, the blog would continue to evolve with my help of course. BOL
"It's not just arthritis!" That's another thing that gets under Brenda's skin or my paw. BOL She doesn't appreciate it, when you again discount the seriousness of her disease. There are at least a 100 types of arthritis. She lives with RA or rheumatoid disease (RD). Some are finding that using the term RD is more accurate, because it involves so much more, than bones aching or your joints swelling. Organs can be affected and yes, you can even die, because of complications related to RD.
Our purpose is not to scare anyone here, but to point out, that it can be a serious disease. Again..."It's not just arthritis."
Brenda is out to change the perceptions of both nonmalignant brain tumors and rheumatoid disease. She has become a fierce advocate for both. Most of her advocacy work is accomplished behind the scenes, on her computer. She can no longer travel great distances. She can however, advocate at the State Capitol, right in her own backyard.
We share this as a way of giving you HOPE! We as advocates, are not built the same, and that's okay. Brenda knows of those who are unable to travel, as they are pretty much confined to their living spaces, and that's okay. You're doing something!
Brenda works full-time... another thing she is extremely proud, to still be accomplishing. This year another milestone, marked 30 years of employment. Quite an accomplishment for someone who has lived with RA for 27 years. She has worked in some capacity of the medical field, for almost 38 years.
Brenda is a fighter! That is paramount in sustaining semblance, to all that has happened in her life. There have truly been some challenges and also some high points too. Life ebbs and flows.
I hope you've enjoyed... our tale for this time.
~T Man barking off~
Brenda wanted me to share some items of importance, hence our tale. As you know, Brenda has lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 27 years and recently became a 10 year brain tumor survivor.
There is more than meets the eye, living with these 2 challenges. First off, Brenda no longer uses the word suffer. She lives with RA. She had a great conversation with her primary care physician (PCP) sharing this fact, when he sees her, he doesn't want to think; " Oh there's Brenda who suffers with RA, but there is Brenda the person, and so much more. Get where I'm going with this? BOL
Words do matter or how we use them in context. Brenda realizes that her RA is not going away any time soon, or at least until there is a cure. Make no mistake, Brenda has hope and believes with all of her heart, that may one day become a reality. "HOPE is Everything!"
Having a positive mindset is paramount as well. Having had a brain tumor, took care of that detail all on its own. Brenda's brain tumor was located in the right frontal lobe, or which is considered the *High functioning level of the Brain*... so this can cause Brenda to react more quickly, either with tears or anger. This is referred to as Frontal Lobe Syndrome. It's a real thing, folks! It was scary for Brenda, during her first year as a brain tumor survivor. She now knows it's normal or her new normal. What is normal anyway? Brenda heard this quote once; "The only thing that's normal is the setting on your washing machine." I put quotes around this, because we didn't come up with that idea. You get the concept? That was something that Brenda's father, who I never got to meet, always said. Brenda would always chuckle, when he said it. It makes sense though, doesn't it?
Now with relationship to her brain tumor experience. Brenda despises that word *Benign*... it gives it a confusing connotation, that it's not serious enough. She prefers to use the words nonmalignant or noncancerous. It was something that should not have been there. There are over 130 types of brain tumors according to the World Health Organization or WHO.
Nonmalignant or noncancerous brain tumors can be just as difficult to treat as malignant ones, so that word *Benign* is not fine! She has known of those who have had the same type of brain tumor (meningioma) because of location, turning out to be serious. Let me cite some examples. How about having to learn to walk again, losing your hearing, eyesight, glaucoma, infections involving the bone flap, not being able to get your skull put back together properly, etc. By the way, all so called *Benign* meningioma brain tumors.
Your life is forever changed, after such an experience. All that Brenda is asking, is that you do not downplay or discount what she has been through, because she supposedly had a *Benign* brain tumor. There is the other factor, that some of the residual effects linger on, even after months or years. You are never the same again. You find your new normal, but deep down inside, that person is still there. You however, may be different on the outside, and that can be frustrating having to experience new challenges, or for those around you, who don't understand or get it!
Brenda has chosen to make the best of things. She became a writer because of this experience and T Man here, is all a part of that. This blog would never have been created, had it not been for that brainstorm, hence the title. Brenda's Brainstorm became an inspiration out of the blue, one Friday morning, while she sat down to write her first blog post. She had no idea, that 9 years later, the blog would continue to evolve with my help of course. BOL
"It's not just arthritis!" That's another thing that gets under Brenda's skin or my paw. BOL She doesn't appreciate it, when you again discount the seriousness of her disease. There are at least a 100 types of arthritis. She lives with RA or rheumatoid disease (RD). Some are finding that using the term RD is more accurate, because it involves so much more, than bones aching or your joints swelling. Organs can be affected and yes, you can even die, because of complications related to RD.
Our purpose is not to scare anyone here, but to point out, that it can be a serious disease. Again..."It's not just arthritis."
Brenda is out to change the perceptions of both nonmalignant brain tumors and rheumatoid disease. She has become a fierce advocate for both. Most of her advocacy work is accomplished behind the scenes, on her computer. She can no longer travel great distances. She can however, advocate at the State Capitol, right in her own backyard.
We share this as a way of giving you HOPE! We as advocates, are not built the same, and that's okay. Brenda knows of those who are unable to travel, as they are pretty much confined to their living spaces, and that's okay. You're doing something!
Brenda works full-time... another thing she is extremely proud, to still be accomplishing. This year another milestone, marked 30 years of employment. Quite an accomplishment for someone who has lived with RA for 27 years. She has worked in some capacity of the medical field, for almost 38 years.
Brenda is a fighter! That is paramount in sustaining semblance, to all that has happened in her life. There have truly been some challenges and also some high points too. Life ebbs and flows.
I hope you've enjoyed... our tale for this time.
~T Man barking off~
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