I Removed Her Deadly Brain Tumor, and What Happened After Really Inspired Me
Beating GSM – 5 Years
A Neurosurgeon’s Story: One Patient, Five Angels, and Defying the Odds
As a board-certified neurosurgeon, I’m excited to invite you into my world and share today’s case.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
This is a truly inspiring story about a remarkable woman who came to us with progressive right-sided weakness, impaired coordination, confusion, and slurred speech. An MRI revealed a mass in the left parietal lobe—an area responsible for processing information. There was significant swelling around the mass, which extended into the region controlling movement and sensation on the right side of her body.
She had a history of breast cancer, presumed cured at the time, and a background of several years of tobacco use—both of which placed her at increased risk for metastatic disease, including lung cancer. While both breast and lung cancers can spread to the brain, additional scans showed no other cancer present in her body.
Navigating Surgery with Precision
After a detailed discussion about the goals, expectations, and risks of surgery, she opted for removal of the mass, which would both allow for diagnosis and potentially extend her life. Under general anesthesia, I used neuronavigation technology—a GPS-like system for the brain. This system guided me precisely to the tumor’s location, helping create a detailed 3D map of her brain and ensuring the safest approach with the smallest incision possible.
We made a small incision in her scalp and removed an even smaller section of bone—a procedure called a craniotomy—to access the brain. The tumor was easily located and carefully dissected from the surrounding brain tissue. Once removed, the area was cleaned, the bone flap secured with plates and screws, and the scalp was sutured closed.
A Difficult Prognosis—and an Unbelievable Outcome
A follow-up MRI showed a clean resection of the tumor with no progression. Unfortunately, the diagnosis came back as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)—a highly aggressive and malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Even with treatment—surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—survival is typically estimated at only 6 months to 2 years.
But this is where the story takes a remarkable turn. Against the odds, this incredible woman defied the statistics and has lived for years beyond her initial prognosis. Each year following her surgery, she sends me an angel figurine in honor of another year survived without progression of her cancer. Though she wasn’t expected to live past two years, I now have five angel figurines sitting on my desk.
Why I Chose This Path
As a neurosurgeon, these angels remind me daily of why I chose this path. This job can be incredibly stressful, challenging, and at times, heartbreaking. But it is also deeply rewarding—beyond belief. Every time I look at those angels, I’m reminded of the incredible privilege it is to do what I do and to witness the power of meaningful outcomes.
GBM remains one of our most challenging diagnoses. But stories like this give us hope. There’s no greater privilege than giving someone a second chance at life—whether that means reducing pain, improving arm or leg function, or helping them survive a life-threatening diagnosis.