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After Brain Tumor Surgery and Radiation

Kathryn Cooper

It’s time for another update on my brain tumor. I thought I would add some pictures this time.

I had my brain tumor removed by the most amazing surgeon, Dr. Weinberg, back on August 11, 2014 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. The surgery lasted about 11 hours and went really well! After 5 days I went home.

Colt, my husband, and I leaving the hospital finally!

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After getting home I still had to recover to feel normal again. It took around 3 or 4 more weeks.

You can see the buzz of my hair where my brain was cut open.

PostSurgery2

Even though Dr. Weinberg did an amazing job and removed almost all of my brain tumor, I still had to have radiation treatment and will have chemo for the little lines of my tumor spread in my brain.

I think it was 4 weeks post surgery when I started my radiation. I finished 6 weeks of radiation on Wednesday, October 22. I had felt very claustrophobic for the first 3 weeks, maybe 4. But finally towards the end I was given the strength and miracle to not feel freaked out and trapped.

Here I am strapped in for my radiation with a thumbs up.

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It was a long emotional job to have a claustrophobic radiation treatment 30 times. I was grateful for and learned a lot from my Radiologist doctor and nurse. The three girls in charge of doing the radiation every day I learned to love and appreciate.

Here’s me, with no hair, and 2 of the 3 girls that did my radiation 30 times. T and M! Wish I could remember names.

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I am so grateful and happy to be finished with surgery and radiation treatments! I feel like the big things are over with. I know Chemo once a week for 12 months won’t be the funnest thing ever, but I’m thinking it’ll be nothing compared to the last few months.

I really appreciate all of my friends and family thinking about me. I feel so loved. I also am grateful for God my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I have felt an enormous amount of love and care from them as I have prayed and thought of them.

Now to talk about books: (Hello, this is a book blog!)

I haven’t been able to read many books after surgery and through radiation because sometimes my mind gets distracted when reading. Normally there hasn’t been much to distract me, but with these last few weeks there has been. I’ve watched a ton more TV shows on Netflix then I ever have! It’s been fun, but I am excited to get into reading AND writing again.

What are some great clean Young Adult or New Adult books that have come out in 2014?

Published by Kathryn Cooper

YA Author📚 Mom of 4 Boys🏃 Brain Tumor Fighter🏆 Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints🌷

20 thoughts on “After Brain Tumor Surgery and Radiation”

  1. Thank you for being brave and sharing your story with others. My 24 y/o son had a tumor resected and begins chemo and radiation treatment next week.

    May our Merciful God watch over you and grant you a full recovery. Please continue to update on your progress.

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      1. Thank you. It’s very hard to watch one’s child live with serious illness and the treatments involved. As his primary caregiver, I’d like you to know how much the sharing of your story gives hope and inspiration to others like us.

        May God bless you and your family.

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  2. So great to see you smiling in the pics! And so glad things went well. I’ve been wondering how you were. I have a close friend who went through brain surgery twice and then chemo for 2 years. Very hard. But he is a real trooper and you are too! Big hugs and baci to you.

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  3. Katherine, I’ve been wondering how you’re doing since I heard you were having surgery. I’m so relieved you’ve gotten through the worst of the radiation. You have such a pretty face and a great attitude. I’m thinking you’ve got enough to do without worrying about book reviews. I like audiobooks. Right now I’m listening to “Becoming Lady Lockwood,” which is really fun. But I think maybe now’s the time for you to enjoy movies. Have you seen “Love Comes Softly?” It’s a cute romance.

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    1. Thanks Rebecca! You’re right. I’m not worrying about book reviews too much these days, but I’d like to read some more books. Reviews will come later. 😉 Love Comes Softly sounds like a great movie. I looked into it and will have to watch it. Thanks!

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  4. So glad that you are doing so well. I’m sure your positive attitude helped a lot with your recovery. You’re an inspiration to the rest of us!

    I just finished Melanie Jacobson’s newest, PAINTING KISSES. It’s a NA romance. It’s got a little innuendo, but is basically clean. If you’re a fan of the author, you’ll love this one. If you’ve never read her, definitely give her books a go!

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  5. You’re amazing (and side note: that side-buzz cut looks really awesome on you). Any great shows on Netflix? I’m looking forward to rewatching The Gilmore Girls (not sure if you like that show) and Sherlock is my fav ever I could rewatch a dozen times. Thumbs up and best for you continued recovery!

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    1. Thanks Cecilia! Hearing from authors always makes me smile. Gilmore Girls is fun. I haven’t watched Sherlock, but I really want to. I’ve been in love with Netflix these days. Arrow and The Vampire Diaries have been my current favorites. I watch Arrow with my hubby. Fun times! I’ve never watched so many shows! I really do want to get back into reading sometime. 🙂

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