GERARD MARIOTT’S STORY – AA III
3 August 2006 – Five years on
Five years ago whilst driving through the city of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, I suddenly - without warning of any kind - veered off the road mounting the footpath. Thankfully no one was injured other than my pride. I made the short distance home and my wife asked me where I had gotten the Black Eyes from. Looking in the mirror that’s exactly what I saw - Fifteen rounds with Muhammad Ali. No pain whatsoever. Anyway my GP immediately sent me to the local hospital where I was admitted.
After some tests and MRIs they decided I had a Brain Tumour. After the biopsy they told me I had a Grade 3 Astrocytoma. After surgery the Surgeon told us that be believed he had resected most of the tumour (situated in the left temporal lobe) and that he would discuss future treatment with an Oncologist. Fearing the worst I inquired as to survival rates and my own particular case and he said the chances were not good with such a tumour and my life expectancy was 6 months to 2 years. At 47 with children still at school and a wonderful wife I believed my world had ended there and then.
Treatment began shortly after receiving daily radiation treatment for 6 weeks. There was NO chemo. That was held in check in case it was needed at a later stage as told by my Oncologist. Aside from that treatment the only drugs I’ve been taking are Valpro 200 3 times daily. Side effects vary with imbalance and short memory loss. But that’s all.
I feel happy, contented, and NEVER worry about what the future may bring. I always held the belief that I was going to beat this thing it was NOT going to get me. I joined a local Buddhist group and learned to meditate – that was such a wonderful tonic. To date the MRIs show no sign whatsoever of anything nasty.
So whoever may be reading
this story I know what you’re going through. DONT GIVE UP. Be
Positive. My Love to you all.
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