Diagnosed with Brain Tumour.

I was okay in the MRI machine. I mean it sucked but I knew I could suffer through it just this once. I mean once they knew that there was nothing wrong with my brain we move on down the check list. My mantra in that claustrophobic tube was "Do this so my family and I know I am fine." Waiting for the call was not that stressful. There actually was no call. No news was good news right? I called my doctors office to confirm and was told "Oh, yeah, actually can you come in this afternoon to see the doctor?" Sure, I mean lets get on with the next test, right!

On Sept 13 2009 I received the news. The conversation went like this, oh and don't forget I had a 2 year old with me trying to tear apart the room:

Doctor: Well the MRI did show something. It is a meningioma.
Me: A what? So it is something not serious? -- denial
Doctor: Oh no Shannon it is quite serious. A brain tumour. A specialist should be calling you in the next 2 months or so. Any questions?
Me: So I have a brain tumour?
Doctor: Yes but don't worry they do not think it is cancer. Any other questions?
Me: Ummmm... ok. Can you write that word down so I can tell my husband?
Doctor: Yes I will be right back.
Me waiting stunned for minutes.....

Enter awkward nurse: "Here is the diagnosis that the Doctor wanted you to have."

I was diagnosed and dismissed in the matter of minutes. That is all the time it took

The drive home was a blur. I called my husband and told him, through tears, "They found something on the MRI." Hubs is a commercial construction superintendent so there is always noise and confusion when I call him at work. He said "They found what?" Me, "Something you know in my brain!" Hubs "I am on my way home." We hugged and cried together. I remember saying over and over again "I am not ready to go! I am not done yet!"

Google images was a scary place for me in those first few months.

Three years and 2 MRI's later, I have learned so much more about this tumour called a meningioma, and although still scared, have a better understanding of what is going on in my brain

I even read a book called "You have a brain tumour. Now what?". I know right?


My family moved clear across the country' mainly for me to be back with my family doctor who has known me since I was 12 years old and I trust to tell me the truth as she always has in the past. That in itself is a huge stress relief.

Every October I place a grey ribbon as my facebook profile picture. I don't think anyone knows what it means. Well this October I am telling everyone what it means. October is Brain Tumour Awareness month in Canada. I am telling everyone. And asking you to share too!