The story of Brad
In mid April 2017 an MRI found a
non cancerous tumor in my left brain .
I came home 15 weeks later.
On May 1 & 2, 2017 I underwent 22 hours of surgery to remove a baseball sized tumor from my brainstem. It had been growing for 30 years.
My margins are clean but the surgery left me with many issues
I do physical and speech therapy weekly
I saw Health Care workers at 4 different hospitals.
I have done therapy in 13 different facilities.
I had to learn how to walk and talk 3 times in my life. Now I walk like a drunken toddler
In 2018 I developed a rare brain disease. It’s called Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration. (HOD), along with Ataxia.
HOD, is not a death sentence, but it is a life sentence. There’s no cure.
My symptoms are bad balance, slurred speech, choking and bad gait.
I have yet to meet a Doctor that has heard of HOD.
I have even seen Doctors Googling HOD during my appointment.
Dr’s take my picture and have me sign a waiver so they can use my issues when giving a lecture.
I have good and bad days mentally and physically.
I choke a lot.
Since I developed HOD I have developed palatial tremors and strabismus (bouncing left eye). I feel fatigued a lot.
I am a fall risk. Gait belt’s and grab bars are my friend.
I average one fall a week.
My record is 13 weeks without a fall.
I have have been taught to adapt and adjust my life, by the great therapists and students in Speech and Physical Therapy
The Best brain group I belong to is the….
The Caroline Caprio Scholarship & Giving Fund.
Raise your hand if you have ever been helped by Caroline Caprio.
Raise your hand if you
know her.
In this group you can….
Give
Take
Be
Trust
Cry
Laugh
Get
Give
Look
Listen
Learn
Believe
Love
Admit
Do
Pray
Now take out your checkbooks
Know these words.
GOD
PRAY
SERENITY
COURAGE
WISDOM
HOPE
I have been married to my wonderful wife Beth for over 40 years.
Although,
I may look good I am no prize.
PEACE OUT