by Becca Badgett

Created on: August 09, 2008   Last Updated: August 20, 2008

One of the most frightening experiences of my life was having my husband diagnosed with a brain tumor. This was before our marriage, and shortly after we'd begun living together. Unfamiliar with this malady, I assumed he was going to die. After several weeks of doctor visits and trying to determine the cause of excruciating headaches and loss of control of his facilities, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) showed a mass on his frontal lobe.

The MRI was done on a Friday morning, the results were in that afternoon and surgery was scheduled for Monday morning. The interim weekend is still a blur for me. My husband tells me now that he has no recollection of that weekend or the preceding weeks.

We were at the hospital at 6 AM on Monday. The wait for him was brief and the nurses whisked him away. The six-hour wait during his surgery seemed like six days. An attendant gave us a beeper type object to let us know when the surgery was over. I waited along with his parents; children and numerous other relatives for what we were told would be a six-hour wait. After four hours, the beeper went off and I expected to hear the worst. We were surprised and amazed when we heard the surgery was complete and apparently a success.

After several hours of post-operative observation, we were allowed to see him. His mother and daughter went in first, then came back to say he was asking for me. As I entered the brightly lit cubicle, I found him sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling.

After a short day and one-half hospital stay, we brought him home. The doctor prescribed steroids to facilitate the healing process. Thus began a six-week long recuperation during which he was not to left alone. I took a leave of absence and was his primary care giver during this time.

Strange things happened in his mind during this stage of recuperation; suffice it to say it was not a pleasant experience. However, I said many prayers of thanks during this period. I also prayed for patience, which was key to providing care.

Administering the steroids in varying doses was primary. When one has such an affliction, the healing process must take its time. The doctors advised us that a lack of judgment was a common side effect of such an operation.

Follow-ups include an annual MRI to make sure the tumor has not returned. For the past four years there has been no recurrence. There are now bouts with Sundowner's Syndrome and degenerative disk disease. Administering medication is my chore. I also remember appointments, take care of the bills and make most major decisions.

Weve seen improvement in his condition and deterioration as well. Some professionals believe the Sundowner's Syndrome is a predecessor to Alzheimer's disease. Another MRI is upon us. It is a waiting game, during which we live as normally as possible. We have learned to appreciate each day together.

Two doctors had examined him prior to the MRI and were unable to explain his symptoms. The third doctor looked into his eyes and immediately sent him for the MRI, which determined the problem. Because of this experience, I encourage anyone with strange and unexplainable symptoms to get as many opinions as necessary to determine the problem. Had this tumor not been discovered, he would have only lived for a few weeks.

We were fortunate to have access to North Carolina University Baptist Hospital and their excellent diagnostic and surgical professionals. The brain surgeon told us he performs more than 200 of these operations monthly. The cause of the tumor, in the doctor's words was "bad luck". Fortunately, it was not malignant. Because of his expertise, we've enjoyed a three-year marriage and a mostly fulfilling life together.

Learn more about this author, Becca Badgett.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.