5 years ago today, I stood up at work to look outside and the world started spinning. Apparently, that little episode was a blessing in disguise!
After a quick trip to the emergency room and, what was to be the first of MANY MRI’s, my tumor was discovered. I was very fortunate to have something relatively benign reveal something so deadly lurking… without any symptoms. My episode could have ended up much worse. I think that early detection, before any symptoms presented, is one of the many reasons my treatment has been so successful. In addition, having a great set of doctors, an unbelievably supportive group of friends, and family, enabled my recovery fly by.
It is hard to believe I am approaching the 5 year anniversary of my resection. The 5 year survival rate for a Glioblastoma, in my age group, is only 9%! Truly, I am one of the lucky ones… So Far. Over the last 5 years I have met way too many people that have not been so lucky. That always leaves me asking, why me? How did I survive this brain tumor lottery (guess that means I will never win MegaMillions 😉, I won my lottery).
Well one thing I can do is help fund research to find a cure. I am by no means cured, I live with what they call PFS or NED depending on who you talk to, (Progression Free Survival or No Evidence of Disease). Due to Covid, all of the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) events are 100% virtual BUT that means we get to do the NBTS walk AND new to us the bike ride. Jessie and I are participating in both so if you are interested, join our teams and raise some money for Brain Tumor Research, maybe one day I can say cured, not PFS/NED/TBD …
The Month of May will be Brain Tumor awareness month. The walk takes place May 2nd (our team is Team Food Baby Virtual) the bike ride takes place two weeks later on May 16th (our team is just Team Food Baby). They are separate events, there is no entry fee so join up and get your friends to donate. There are some great gifts for fundraising. If you don’t want to participate but want to support the cause, donate to one of us, both of us, one event, both events… You decide.
My ride Page: http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/goto/TomBirdRide
My walk page: http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/goto/TomBirdWalk
BTW, if you are a Peloton or Zwift rider, they are doing virtual rides up to the event and on the day of the event.
Details here -> https://events.braintumor.org/events/national-brain-tumor-ride/zwift-peloton/
Sorry no casserole party but once we can meet in groups, it will be back!!