I was at my mom's with Karley, Brook, Patrick, and their children when my phone rang on the 22nd from his office. I didn't want to pick up. I knew there was no way it could be good because he didn't call Christmas Eve.
I hesitated picking up but did. He said, "Samantha, I'm so sorry to give you this news but you have a brain tumor. We can't tell if its malignant but we need to get it out as fast as possible. The Neurosurgeon and I have already worked out your schedule for Pre-op (making sure there are no blood clots in my body through different tests). He also told me to stop my blood thinners now because they will be doind surgery in less than a month.
I hung up the phone and started crying. I did not want to go through another brain surgery. Between 2 of them, radiation, and 5 strokes, I wasn't sure I could survive this.
My brother in law was the first to notice I was crying on the corner of the couch. I tried to talk loud but I couldn't. I said, "I've got another brain tumor". Patrick doesn't like to interrupt but if you've ever been around my family, they can be loud.
He repeated it to the kitchen where everyone except Karley was. She was still asleep. I think my mom picked up on it first when he repeated it. Everyone was shocked. It was a moment in time I'll never forget. They just stared at me. My youngest neice, who loves to jump on Karley to get out of bed took of to her room.
Poor Karley, she jumped on her and said "your mom has another brain tumor, she could die". Karley came running in half asleep still. Everyone was trying to comfort me. That's when I kinda wanted my sister to take control. She's a lot like me.
We took Christmas pictures, me trying not to cry in all of them. My dog, Stitch, just got diagnosed with cancer. Thank God he's still with me, my sweet sister took some of us together. I know it's late to show last Christmas, but I kind just go with my own flow now.
Everyone had to go home and back to school but my sister stayed with my mom and me. She was going through it with me, like my mom has been doing for so long.
Once everyone left, Karley was sending me texts about how tired she was and she barely made it to school. She left everything in her car and went to bed. She originally sent me a rash on her legs and told me the Brunswick doctors said it was allergies. I didn't accept that because the fatigue and weekness came next.
I told her she had to get a second opinon because Brunswick GA hospital misdiagnosed me and so many others.
So she went to the hospital near GA Southern. After testing her, they came back with a disease that spead to her liver. She's in college so they all eat ad drink after each other. She was immediately hospitalized so we were both in the hospital at the same time. However the doctors said it was unusual but they just had another patient the previous week where it spread to her liver as well.
My surgery was Jan 16th and her birthday was January 15th, turning 21 in a hospital. I couldn't go see her and was so worried but we factimed. We were both in the hospital for about a week. I got checked out first, we were discharged the same day.I'm always grateful my mom is still here but also grateful for my sister staying until she knew I was ok.
Karley was not able to drink because of her liver and I wasn't able to drive for 4 months. However, I did and got in an accident with a huge curb. I know, dumb. Her roommates tried to make her birthday fun in the hospital, so grateful for them. About a month after my accident, she was hit by an out of control driver and the Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee I gave her was totaled. It was a multi-car pile up. Still in court.
I think we were twinning this year and we need to stop at least by next year, or at lmaybe even by my birthday (Halloween)!
All in all, I still am having cognitive issues and vision issues. My oncologist looked back at my B-12 snd it was extremely low, so he added that to my daily regiment of pills and they will recheck in December. I do have a neurologist appointment on the 19th of October to try and figure out whats wrong and if there is any therapy I can do.
I still feel blessed to be here, and give it all to God.
The tumor in the brain was benign but spitting out dead cancer cells. Until you go through it, it's hard to understand.
But praying I can start spelling correctly and am able for my vison to correct.
Thank you for all of the prayers and donations. It got me through to live much longer. Karley graduates this year!
God bless you all!
