Erin's Brain Tumor Journey
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My name is Erin (Balassone) Williams and I'm a thyroid cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 19 and at 35 I was just going to annual checkups and scans.
During routine CT scans of my neck to be sure the thyroid cancer was still in remission, in 2017, a weird spot on my right frontal lobe of the brain was found. Initially, it was thought to be artifact (unknown epidemiology) so a follow-up MRI was done on Wednesday 4/12/2017.
The next day I get a call from my endocrinologist, stating the odd spot in the brain is in fact a lesion and he has already consulted with a neurosurgeon on it. He advised me that further testing is needed to determine the severity of this lesion and that an admission order had been put in for me and they’re waiting for me in the ER at OSU/the James Cancer Hospital.
The MRI results were reviewed with us and it was determined the lesion was actually a large brain tumor that needed to be removed surgically.
I had a craniotomy over Easter weekend. The good news is they caught it early enough that I was NOT having any symptoms (severe headaches, seizures). A post-surgical MRI revealed the entire lesion had been removed.
Currently, we are meeting with specialists in neurology and oncology to determine if future treatment (radiation, chemo) is needed. Updates will be posted as we know more about prognosis and treatment.
Unfortunately, all of this came about quite unexpectedly and we are struggling financially. I was working full time and have not been at work because of surgery and recovery. So not working = no income coming in to pay bills with.
· There are immediate things I was paying month to month. Basic stuff like car payments, insurance, cable, electric, food, prescriptions.
· A consolidation loan to address debts including medical bills
· The *current debt from the emergency craniotomy, hospital bills & follow-ups
My husband (Tom) is an artist and will soon be offering some perks/rewards (sketches, t-shirts, etc.) to help boost the drive. Any sales from his **Society6 store will help offset the looming costs from all of this.
thanks,
Erin & Tom
*we haven’t gotten all the bills in yet from Easter weekend and subsequent appointments. Currently not reflected in the above total.
Updates pending.
** society 6 link: https://society6.com/drawrobot
During routine CT scans of my neck to be sure the thyroid cancer was still in remission, in 2017, a weird spot on my right frontal lobe of the brain was found. Initially, it was thought to be artifact (unknown epidemiology) so a follow-up MRI was done on Wednesday 4/12/2017.
The next day I get a call from my endocrinologist, stating the odd spot in the brain is in fact a lesion and he has already consulted with a neurosurgeon on it. He advised me that further testing is needed to determine the severity of this lesion and that an admission order had been put in for me and they’re waiting for me in the ER at OSU/the James Cancer Hospital.
The MRI results were reviewed with us and it was determined the lesion was actually a large brain tumor that needed to be removed surgically.
I had a craniotomy over Easter weekend. The good news is they caught it early enough that I was NOT having any symptoms (severe headaches, seizures). A post-surgical MRI revealed the entire lesion had been removed.
Currently, we are meeting with specialists in neurology and oncology to determine if future treatment (radiation, chemo) is needed. Updates will be posted as we know more about prognosis and treatment.
Unfortunately, all of this came about quite unexpectedly and we are struggling financially. I was working full time and have not been at work because of surgery and recovery. So not working = no income coming in to pay bills with.
· There are immediate things I was paying month to month. Basic stuff like car payments, insurance, cable, electric, food, prescriptions.
· A consolidation loan to address debts including medical bills
· The *current debt from the emergency craniotomy, hospital bills & follow-ups
My husband (Tom) is an artist and will soon be offering some perks/rewards (sketches, t-shirts, etc.) to help boost the drive. Any sales from his **Society6 store will help offset the looming costs from all of this.
thanks,
Erin & Tom
*we haven’t gotten all the bills in yet from Easter weekend and subsequent appointments. Currently not reflected in the above total.
Updates pending.
** society 6 link: https://society6.com/drawrobot
Organizer
Erin Balassone Williams
Organizer
Hilliard, OH