On January 6, 2025, I visited my primary care physician due to persistent lower back pain. My doctor ordered an MRI of my sacrum and lumbar spine. A few days later, I underwent the MRI and was urgently called back to my doctor’s office. The MRI revealed several tumors on and inside my spinal cord, prompting an immediate referral to a neurologist.
In the interim, I had additional MRIs of my brain, cervical spine, and thoracic spine. While the brain MRI was clear, several more tumors were found in my central nervous system from my thoracic spine down to my sacrum. My neurosurgeon confirmed the severity of the situation and scheduled me for surgery on January 24, 2025. The only way to obtain a biopsy was through a major and invasive spinal surgery. I underwent the surgery but faced complications, resulting in an extended hospital stay. The pathology results from the tumor confirmed that I have myxopapillary ependymoma of the central nervous system, an extremely rare and cancerous tumor due to its location and spread.
I am currently undergoing treatment and while I’ve been experiencing nausea and fatigue, I’m doing my best to stay positive. I’m looking forward to the final day of this round of treatment, which ends just in time for my son’s birthday.
Lee’s LifeList:
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Family theme park trip to Orlando