After finding out that I had a large brain tumour and that all of my seizures were happening because of that, I was told that eventually, I was going to need to go through surgery to remove the tumour in order to resolve the impact it was taking on my brain and body.
For my Biopsy surgery, they removed a small part of the tumour to be able to further examine and test it to gain a higher understanding and information about exactly what it is. Understanding why this was necessary and seeing the benefits that came from the doctors learning more about my tumour really did help me feel as positive as I could about it. After having the Biopsy surgery, I was confident that this was a step to a cure, I made sure I focused on the benefits I would get from this and it helped me stay calm and collected. Besides that, my Neurosurgeon kept me incredibly comfortable and informed the entire time, before and after the surgery.
When I woke up from the surgery, I was of course on medication but I remember feeling good with very little to no pain. After being assisted the day of, I was actually able to comfortably get up, walk around and function all on my own and was medically approved to go home the very next day. While resting at home, I had my staples removed a little over a week later and despite still having seizures, my incision had recovered from the surgery within 5 weeks. 11 months later I had my Craniotomy Surgery, this is where my Neurosurgeon actually removed the full tumour.
Of course this was a much bigger surgery, despite that and everything it took, including some completely normal and temporary effects that can happen after a major brain surgery, I firmly believed once I woke up that I was going to be okay. My Neurosurgeon made sure to check in a few times after my surgery while I was in the hospital and I had all of my staples removed by him 11 days later. With the most incredible amount of care from my husband, family and friends, as well as taking a lot of rest, I truly started feeling better and better each day. After the toll that seizures had taken on my brain and body, with time, I started to feel it disappear. I can surprisingly say that after 3 weeks, I started to begin to feel back to normal, a "normality" that I hadn't actually felt for a very long time. Beyond that, after 3 months of being examined after my surgery, I was told by my Neurosurgeon that I was doing very well. They say a brain can physically feel good but usually takes around a year to fully recover so with that in mind, and of course still considering the internal healing and overall recovery of my head, I was medically approved to slowly and comfortably "go and live my life".
I share this story to inspire those who may have to go through anything similiar, that your body is strong and can absolutely recover after a surgery! Mind over matter can be a huge assistance in helping you get through something that seems very scary and nerve racking but optimism and positivity, despite how hard things can be, are assets I truly believe can get you through this and increase recovery. For me, I have been learning to take as much time as I can to rest and recover and started getting back into things step by step without rush or hurry which has significantly helped me get back to feeling like myself again. Remember, you are not alone, you are strong and despite whatever you may be going through, you can still SEIZE THE DAY!
Jasmine Martin
Seize The Day Foundation