Shan's Meatball Diary: Brain Tumor

In the famous words of Arnold Schwartzenegger..."It's NOT a Tumor!"...well, sorry Arnold, but it IS a tumor.

My name is Shannon, and I was diagnosed with a Category II Optic Chiasma Meningioma.

I grew up like a typical spoiled kid, running around on my bike with my older brother and cousins, had yearly family vacations, was a superstar in sports and took up music and singing as a hobby, among other interests.  I have great memories and had a wonderful relationship with my parents. 

I had basic teenage problems...but was a (and STILL am) a strong, courageous and hilarious woman, even after life threw some curveballs.

In the 1990's, my father was diagnosed with depression, and was in and out of the hospitals, which created a rift in our family dynamic. My Mother took on most of the role of holding down the family home, working hard and trying to keep us on the right track, and making sure her and Dad's needs were met. 

In 2009, Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer, which she fought a valiant battle against, but sadly it took her in June 2011.  I gave up my job at the time and moved in with her and Dad in Victoria to be there as support until she was bedridden near the end. My Aunt, her only sister, was also diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma and battling for her life at the same time. We couldn't believe that all of this was happening.
 
During this time, I was married, and divorced, lost my house in the process and my life fell under. Dad rescued me, and we moved in the only thing we had left, an old Motorhome, and relocated to British Columbia to be near my extended family.
Shortly after moving, Dad had a massive Heart Attack, and underwent a Quadruple-bypass, and was hospitalized. I worked a collection job in a call center on graveyard shifts to try to pay for our rent, sleeping at the hospital with Dad, and then day in day out until he was able to come out. He again was in and out of the hospital due to increased depression after the operation, which put a strain on our relationship as well, and we tried to hold it together as it we only had each other.

Cut to 9 months ago. Living in BC on my own, and experiencing vision problems, dizziness and general coordination issues. I had always suffered debilitating migraines, but this was different.
I went to an Optometrist to check my vision, to which he replied 'nothing much has changed, everything looks fine.'
Forward to a few months later, I had moved back to Calgary, took on a new job as a retail manager of a major store, Dad seemed stable and I was grieving my mother's passing.
I couldn't get past the fact that my vision seemed to be getting worse, there were visible 'blind' spots that I coudln't explain away with stress or diet. Back to another Optometrist, same result. 
Forward another few months, symptoms getting worse. More migraines, more vision loss, coordination issues, memory lapses, and now deafness in my right ear.
I found an Opthamologist that took the time to listen to my symptoms and actually dig in and try to find what was causing them, as visually, there was really nothing 'wrong' with my eyes from a physical point.

Fast forward to August of this year, I got scheduled for an MRI. 

September 7th I met with a Neurosurgeon and was told that I was diagnosed with Tuburculum Sallae Meningioma with significant compression of the right Optic Nerve. This tumor is also compressing my Pituitary Gland, which also comes with it's own set of issues.

Urgent Brain Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, September 29th, in 6 days. 

I'm absolutely terrified, but I know I have so much love and support from friends and family, even people whom I've lost contact with over the years are voicing their support and good wishes.

GoFundMe was brought up by family and friends, who just want me to be able to focus on my own recovery, and allow the financial burden of not only my treatment to be alleviated somewhat, but also of not being able to support my father through his own battle, as I fight for my life.

I am looking for $10,000 to cover a few months worth of recovery, and it is needed desperately, and urgently.

Your donations would help pay for rent, as the pension payments for my father are not enough to cover our rent and basic necessities like bills and food, as I lost my own apartment downtown and we are struggling to pay off debt just due to circumstances.
I have been unable to work due to my own diagnosis physically and emotionally (those that know me know that I would work up until I fall over, I don't give up easily, and I refuse to accept that I have been beaten!)...terrified of losing my own life or quality thereof, but also of losing the ability to support myself and my father through his own illness.
As we all know, the world doesn't stop, and bills are piling up.

Your donations would alleviate the financial burden of not only basic necessities, but to help pay for medications, treatment for myself throughout my recovery, and provide security that I can focus on beating this 'meatball' tumor and creating support so I can pass that on to my family.

I can't even believe to thank everyone for their thoughts and love throughout knowing what my battle has been, it's been mindblowing and humbling that there is so much more out there in human nature that we never realize people are willing to give of themselves just to make a difference in another's life.

This is a gift I have always had, and cannot wait to recover enough to give back. Everyone that is in my life knows I rarely accept help, and consider myself very independent.  I know my life will change dramatically after surgery, and once I'm well, so grows my love for the people around me. My heart has grown and been opened, and so has my mind. 

Please take my heartfelt gratitude for anything you can give. Sending my love.

Shannon Marie