I spent my entire adult life preparing for a career to help others rehabilitate from catastrophic diagnoses. After almost 2 years working as a physical therapist, I received shocking news that I was the recipient of a catastrophic diagnosis. In September 2005, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I became someone I've spent years preparing to help.

In the summer of 2005, I started getting intermittent episodes of dizziness, headaches, and nausea. I had an excuse for each symptom and would push through the symptoms to function everyday. I have always been the kind of guy who likes to push his physical limits. I learned how to swim just so I could go surfing and do triathlons. I completed 2 sprint triathlons and a half marathon in 2005. Like many other single men, I moved to the West coast from the Midwest in the hopes of finding a sweet job, an active lifestyle, and a nice girl.
Nothing could have prepared me for the news I was about to receive. Brain cancer/tumors are pretty rare when compared to other types of cancer. On September 10th 2005, I found out I had a huge brain tumor, a meningioma the size of a golf ball, on the tentorial membrane at the base of my brain between my brain stem and my cerebellum. The brainstem controls basic/unconscious body functions like heart rate, breathing, and facial/tongue movements. The cerebellum controls coordination and fine motor skills. Pretty important stuff at risk! I have a lot of friends here in San Diego, but I wanted to be with my family. The first people I called when I found out were my "Mommy" and "Papa"! I finally realized how much I loved my family. In the following months: I had brain surgery to have the tumor removed; radiation therapy to get rid of the remains; Speech, occupational, and physical therapy for all the physical and mental impairments I was left with after the surgery. I was receiving rehab at the hospital where I used to work. In a strange twist, the people I used to work side by side with were now working with me as a patient!
As a patient I really wanted to be prepared for what lay ahead. My medical background helped immensely, but there were still a few things I wasn't ready for. I've been exposed to a number of patients with different diagnoses, but I couldn't find a book or other resource by a young single guy in the same boat as me. I was lying in my hospital bed and decided that when I got out of this, I would write a book... a "real" account of life as a patient for therapy students and younger patients with common situations and written in a style in which they could relate.
During my recovery: I led a team that raised over $11,000 for the National Brain Tumor Foundation; published a book Reversal: When A Therapist Becomes A Patient; created a support network for young survivors named TUMORS SUCK!; led the development of a unique website called mAss Kickers designed to empower cancer/brain tumor patients; organized a very successful national book tour with stops in Evanston IL, Flint MI, Oakland CA, and New York NY; and have a few more "projects" in the works.
I have accomplished a lot since my diagnosis but I am still surprised at what I have done and what I intend to do. I look in the mirror every morning and I recognize the face staring back at me, but something is different. In his eyes, I see sadness, anger, but most importantly hope. Hope for my own recovery. Hope that someday there will be a "cure". Hope that a child doesn't have to lose a parent to cancer. Hope that a parent doesn't have to lose a child to cancer. Hope that we don't have to lose anymore loved ones to cancer.
The rest of my story isn't written. I'm still improving and re-creating myself. I've learned a lot about myself already. All I know is that I'm going to fully enjoy living the rest of my story.
My story as a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKiQwAstgls
Eric Galvez DPT CSCS http://www.ericgalvezdpt.com/