Together in Hope

Together In hope

Mike and I went to the together in hope brain tumor conference this weekend.  I met people that inspired me to start this blog again.  I gave a speech to other people with different types of brain tumors.  Did you know there are 120 diff types of brain tumors??

When I was done, I looked at my notes and realized I forgot over 3/4 of it.  I hit all the important parts though.  However, I feel the need to say some of the things I forgot on here. 

Paul Fielding (a 6 time cancer survivor and my personal mentor) gave me the best advice on handling a tumor.  He said, Make friends with the tumor.  Give it a name, keep it close. You are going to be fighting for your life against it so it may as well have a name.  As most of you know I named mine Snarla bc she snarled across the top of my brain.

In addition to volunteering and painting, I took solace in music.  Mike just looked at me like I was nuts when we would get in the car to go to some treatment and I would blare the radio and car dance. 

After I figured out NOT to put my fingers in the skillet, (yes I really did that) I started to cook and found it soothed me.  

We met some A M A Z I N G people. Allison Allison (yes that is her real name).  Her story is why I write this blog.  She is so strong, she has a husband and a children that LOVE her to pieces.  Roslyn Franken, the motivational speaker and author. On the morning of my talk I was sitting by myself eating breakfast and she asked if she could join me.  Just her being there calmed me down and allowed me to gather my thoughts.