Brenda's Brainstorm & Trevor, a T Man Production 2009 - 2022

On September 8TH..I will be celebrating my 2ND chance craniversary . It's hard to believe that almost 2 years have flown by. So much has happened in that span of time. What I want to do with this blog entry, is to share some of the highlights of the past 2 years. Prior to being diagnosed with my brain tumor...I joined a group called "Living The Truth." It started with a vision from Dr. Keith Ablow ...who is a renowned psychiatrist. His philosophy is that everyone has a story. Everything you need to know about yourself is already deep inside of you. That is what he calls our hidden or buried treasure. I also wear a key...that was originally a key chain...that I put on a chain and wear it around my neck. It is quite the conversation piece. Besides that...it's beautiful. Along my journey..I have met many wonderful people on this site. We also have a place where we can have a blog...that's where Brenda's Brainstorm was born...An Inspiration Out Of The Blue. ...

Nobody ever said life would be easy...making friends is no different sometimes. Recently...I had to make a very hard and difficult decision. I had been involved in a friendship that I thought was going pretty well. We had some rocky times...but that is to be expected. Each time..thinking it would get better. I tried to be there for this person as much as I could...and in turn thought..I would get the same results. Depends on the day or the situation.. and so I found out the hard way. I was just about to share something really spectacular that had just happened to me..and the response was.."That maybe so, but I have more important things going on in my life right now." Believe me that hurt, as I was only trying to maybe cheer this individual up..but it took me by surprise..that I decided right then and there....that I was done investing in this friendship. That person really just told me..that what I had to share was of no value and that all their problems is all that I ...

Recently, I attended our bi-annual family reunion on my late Dad's side. This was the 2ND one without him...and also the first one for me, since I had my brain surgery...which made me realize, that I had not been on a road trip for almost 2 years. WOW! My cousin took Mom & me up to Bowdon...which happens to be the town where I grew up. The event was held at our local community center. Bowdon is about 100 miles from Bismarck, so we saw some beautiful crops on our journey. The flax was especially beautiful this time of year...and you should have seen all the hay and the sunflowers looked good too. They have had a lot more rain than we have. We made a stop to the cemetery, where my Dad is buried and some of my other relatives as well. His tombstone still looks beautiful after almost 3 years. There is a badge engraved..as he was Chief of Police..and the funeral director, thought this would be a nice touch. They really keep the grounds looking really nice. We arrived at the ...

This particular blog is very personal to me...as I am fighting mad! Last week a high profiled neurosurgeon...made the blanket statement...that, "After you have a craniotomy for a Meningioma you are cured." That is just utter nonsense. As many of you know...I had a benign Meningioma removed on September 8TH, 2008. I am almost 2 years out...but I have to tell you...that my recovery has been anything but *BENIGN*! I still battle with constant head pain...so severe at times...that all I want to do is scream...and nausea so bad...that I just feel miserable. I hardly call that cured. You have to also know that people in my support group...Meningioma Mommas are not taking this sitting down. Many have written this individual...and one was even fortunate to get her letter published. I was so proud of her. She worded it in such a way...that you can't deny...that there are still problems/deficits after such a procedure. The facts I want to bring out here are...even though ma...

As some of you know...this being May...is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month...only the 2ND one though...which is sad...because so many are touched by this awful diagnosis. It's also National Arthritis Awareness Month. The reason I am addressing both of these...is the fact that I am a brain tumor survivor...and have also had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 19 years now. The fact that I am still holding down a full time job is enough of a celebration for me...as statistics show that after 10 years..you can no longer work or are disabled. Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in the United States. The following are facts from the magazine "Arthritis Today." 46 million adults and approximately 300,000 children in America are living with doctor-diagnosed arthritis..which probably means, many more are living with this disease, and have not been diagnosed yet. There are over 100 kinds of arthritis. I having one of the top 5...that being Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have mana...

Okay...as many of you know, I am a BT survivor. I have been dealing with real bad bouts of nausea for quite sometime. I was told by my PCP the other day...at my annual physical, that it may just be something, I will have to live with for the rest of my life. That would be fine, except for the fact that it would be nice to be able to learn how to cope. This week was to be a much needed vacation for me...instead it ended up being jammed packed with doctor's appointments. I now have a new problem! Surprise! It seems never ending for me. If I sound a bit frustrated...you are right, only I am beyond that stage I am angry! You see...about 3 months ago, I ended up having problems with my hands..the left being worse than the right. I also battle Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I just thought maybe it was something that would last a few days then leave. Guess what folks...this one is not leaving. Turns out I have the start of carpal tunnel syndrome. Why must everything be a syndrome? Sounds so...

This blog really comes out of what I have been going through recently. As you know, all of my writings come out of personal experience. They say experience, is the best teacher. Anyway...I am happy to say...that it has now been 18 months since my brain surgery. WOW! When I say it out loud...it is just so unbelievable to me. So much has happened. I have definitely developed some real different coping mechanisms. You have to really...this has become such a different kind of lifestyle. One of the things that has changed along this journey...is my ability to write. I would have never been doing this prior to brain surgery. I guess it's true...that you really do become creative, after going through such an ordeal. I also really feel much more sensitive to everything really. Noises, especially high pitched sounds...literally send me through the ceiling. I also have developed a new habit of pretty much wearing my cozy cap to bed..most every night now, as well as on weekends..whe...