My Cancer Experience: Germinoma Brain Tumor

Hi everyone, my name's Lewis. About four years ago, I was diagnosed with and underwent treatment for brain cancer. Fortunately, the treatment was successful with few long-term side effects. I am writing this in hopes that those who are currently battling cancer may stay hopeful and confident in their battle.

In 2012, I was 16 years old, a sophomore in high school. This is the year when most students begin thinking about the future. I honestly had no idea what i wanted to do, but I figured I had plenty of time. All I did was really try to enjoy my time there. I played my first year of varsity football, rocked the bari sax in jazz band, and even made the jv basketball team.

Everything was great, until about the first week of December. There were a couple days during school when I felt sick to my stomach, like just about to throw up. A third day, I felt so sick I had my mom pick me up and take me home. On the way, I had awful headaches. We finally got home, and I hurled on the front lawn. Soon after, I had a massive headache and I started seeing double. We went to the doctor, and recommended I get a CT Scan. I got it done later that day, and found out the headaches were caused by a brain tumor. After having a biopsy, I found out it was a malignant Germinoma brain tumor.

I was planned to have 6 rounds of chemo, followed by 6 weeks of radiation therapy. I started about a week after the surgery. I didn't have any major side effects from the treatments, they just made me really tired. I started back at school the third week of January, and I was eventually able to catch up on my work. I started out going for half a day, and I was eventually able to attend all my classes every day.

I was able to successfully complete my sophmore year, and near the end of July 2013, I got the call that the tumor was gone. I later graduated from high school in 2015. Unfortunately the double-vision never went away, but I wear glasses with corrective prisms. I also have the option for surgery if I need to someday. I am currently 20 years old, a freshman in college, trying to find something that interests me. I am optimistic in my lifestyle and I try to do my best.

I guess I really just wanted to get this out there to see if anyone can relate. It's kinda hard for me to explain the whole thing to some people.