Time flies when you've had brain surgery!

Monday marked 11 months since my surgery! That's a crazy truth. During the last couple of weeks I have been playing the days, hours and minutes that I remember before I went into surgery over in my head. I remember the fear, the hope, the uncertainty and the love that was constantly around me. Why do we remember such days and experiences so vividly? I couldn't tell you what I ate for breakfast on Monday but I can tell you the conversation I had with the nurse as I was wheeled into the operating theatre 11 months ago. I remember looking at myself in the mirror after all of the bandaging had been removed and seeing how much hair I'd loss but don't remember what color lipstick I wore yesterday. I remember getting cranky with the nurses who wouldn't let me shut my curtain at night so they could keep an eye on the patient in the bed next to me but not what I gave my sister for her birthday last year. Now obviously the examples that I just listed of what I do remember and what I don't are comparing major vs minor situations and that's probably why I don't remember what my breakfast was, what lipstick I wore or what I got my sister for her birthday. I don't know what the scientific reasoning behind memory is but for now I'll just take the stand that I remember these rather big occurrences as reminders of the journey I'm going through and how far I've come in the last 11 months. I feel the next month will have me thinking a lot more about what happened and at the same time will be quite emotional especially as I am due to have another MRI and see the neurologist to see where things are in September.

In the last year or so I have read many a blog by others who have brain tumors and I have been able to relate in many ways to many of the stories I read. One thing I've found useful and reassuring, albeit in a weird way, was reading other peoples accounts on the highs and lows of being on Keppra and Lamotrigine to control seizures. For me they are a God send of a gift but also a downright pain in the arse. I said to mum a couple of months ago that I do not recall the last time I woke up feeling re-energized (even before surgery). These drugs are draining, I suppose their purpose is to literally slow my brain down from going into overdrive and that they are doing but they also slow me down overall, physically and mentally. When you read the associated risks that come with taking these drugs it's a bit daunting. I realise now that the side effects, mostly tiredness, that I experience when taking this medication are nothing in comparison to some other bloggers who are also on anti seizure medication and have literally had intense suicidal thoughts. However there are other possible side effects, that at this stage in my life I need not worry about but in the next 10 years they may be cause for concern. I constantly and honestly hope that the scientific world will sooner rather than later  discover some magic pill that cures all of this stuff that's happening in my brain without the risk of nasty side effects but hey we're still waiting for hover-boards.

Sometimes I feel like this blog is a bit selfish and that's why I don't blog as much as I did a first. A lot of the other blogs I read by people with brain tumours are having a shit time and here I am just reminiscing on a rather successful surgery. I'm not good or in all honesty really interested in researching diets and genetics and sharing all about them and how they relate to this and that. I suppose I prefer to live a bit naively and try not to stress myself out. Time will tell whether or not that's a good thing. Even though I don't have all of this amazing knowledge to share I'm still hoping, almost wishing, that my blog serves a purpose. I think that purpose could be one of encouragement and every now and then reminding us to keep on going and not give up in a terrible situation. I don't know what this blog's actual purpose is, apart from reflecting on experiences, but if you're reading this and about to have brain surgery or have just been through it I hope there is something amongst all of my blabbering that helps you today or tomorrow.

If you've been following this blog you've probably realised that I'm a softy. I cried when I was listening to a talkback program on the radio talking about the death of Robin Williams and depression. Apart from the horrible way through which he left this world, I didn't really understand at that moment why I was so troubled by his passing. I suppose one of the reasons is that throughout my life he has starred in movies that were some of my childhood favorites and other movies of, one might say, real depth (Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Jumanji, Aladdin, Hook, Flubber, Patch Adams). However I think, once again, it just hit me how life, and each day in it, is precious. Probably not the best day to watch Patch Adams but this scene reminds me of certain medical professionals that I have encountered over the last few years, good and not so good ( also there's a couple of scenes throughout the movie that remind me of my time in hospital).

In other news, today is my birthday and I am now 27! I keep being reminded that it's just a number.