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I was a just a young, 20-year-old in college student when the symptoms began. In early November 2005, I started having bad headaches and dizzy spells, and my ears became sensitive to sound. My local physician ordered an MRI and EKG.

On Dec. 16, I met with a neurologist to get the results. He told me I had a brain tumor and would need surgery to remove it. Later that afternoon, I met with the surgeon. He explained everything and didn¡¯t seem worried. We scheduled a follow-up appointment for the next week.

But just a few days later, I had a grand mal seizure and went to the ER. Once I was stable enough, I was flown by Life Flight to a larger hospital. Sadly, I wasn't awake ¨C I'm sure the helicopter ride would¡¯ve been fun!

Brain tumor diagnosis and a second opinion

I had my first brain tumor surgery the next week. I was diagnosed with oligodendroglioma, a type of brain cancer. The first oncologist I saw told me I only had two to five years to live. I was so aggravated. I was 20, and my life hadn't even started! I was in denial, so we went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. During my first appointment, I learned that I actually had a different type of brain tumor -- anaplastic astrocytoma.

I completed six weeks of radiation therapy, followed by a new type of chemotherapy called Temodar?, which is now commonly prescribed for brain tumors. I started taking the Temodar? pills once a month for five days at a time in May 2006. I was sick the whole year. At least my hair grew back! In May 2007, I finished chemo and was officially in remission.

After that, I completed an associate's degree in 2008, married my amazing husband, Tim, and started a full-time job.

Staying positive after brain tumor recurrence

But during a follow-up appointment in March 2014, my oncologist noticed a new spot on my brain MRI. That was not the result I was looking for after seven years in remission. But I had to think positive and remember: I beat it once. I can do it again.

In April 2014, neurosurgeon , performed my second brain surgery. The surgical biopsy results showed the cancer had progressed to grade IV. I was then diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. I started proton therapy for five weeks, along with a year of chemotherapy.

After 11 months, an MRI showed a new spot on my brain. I was so disappointed. I thought, ¡°Was the chemotherapy working? Will any kind cure me?¡±

Immunotherapy clinical trial for glioblastoma

That¡¯s when my neuro-oncologist, , told me about a clinical trial for pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy treatment that had been used for melanoma and was being tested for glioblastoma. I qualified for the clinical trial and started receiving the immunotherapy via IV in June 2015.

After I¡¯d received two doses of the immunotherapy, Dr. Rao removed the tumor so my doctors could study how my tumor responded. I told Dr. Rao before my surgery that I don't want to see him again ¨C three brain surgeries will be enough!

Since then, I have continued to receive the immunotherapy once every three weeks. If everything continues going well, I will be done with the clinical trial at the end of May. I anxiously await every MRI and am so excited when I hear great results. I am truly blessed to have my family and friends helping me. I continue praying this treatment is beating the cancer, and I hope this medicine will be the cure for brain tumors.

I want other patients to know how important it is to believe that it is not going to ruin your future. You¡¯ve got to believe in yourself and believe that you will beat this cancer. So far, it¡¯s worked for me.

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