Help Leigh raise money

Running Saved my life. I am Leigh and I am a Meningioma Brain Tumor Survivor. In 2013, I began experiencing extreme headaches, fatigue, and knee discomfort. I brushed it off and blamed it on my new job and a running injury. I went to my GP and he told me I was probably  depressed and needed to try and reduce my stress. When it progressed and I was unable to wiggle my toes, and I started tripping over my own feet while running that I knew I had a problem. It was then I referred myself to the Neurologist. 

I will never forget the moment the Neurologist handed me a post it note with the words 5cm and Meningioma written on it. He told me, "The good news is you don't have cancer, the bad news is you will need surgery in the next two weeks."  He then told me to go home and Google it. I was stunned, I was not prepared to hear I had a benign left parasagittal tangerine sized tumor in my head. I thought maybe I had a slipped disc. I remember saying, "I don't have time for this."  

I was a full time teacher, with two small children, with every minute of my life accounted for, and my world suddenly changed. With the help of my sister,  I was lucky to find some of the best doctors to take care of me. What I think is the best Neurosurgeon in the world, Dr. Alexandra Golby operated on me at Brigham and Women's Hospital. I was lucky to have very few long term side affects as a result of my surgery. My motivation during recovery was getting back to pounding pavement. Getting back to running seemed like the easy part. I did require cognitive therapy to build my short term memory skills, and develop strategies to improve my organization and processing. All of this, made it possible for me to return to school and obtain my school administrator degree. 

However, in 2017 my tumor grew back. I again needed surgery followed by radiation. This time I had the support of not only my wonderful family and friends, but the friends I had made through the National Brain Tumor Society. NBTS has been a resource and support in a time I have needed it. I began volunteering with the NBTS in 2016 through advocacy and fundraising and am excited to continue my support. 

I am happy to say I have been stable since 2018 and have worked to navigate the challenges being a brain tumor survivor can often present; such as short term memory, and processing issues. I am now a school administrator/ curriculum coordinator and try to make the most of everyday. Everyday I am above ground is a good day. I am excited to join the NBTS Endurance Team combining my love of running with my love of this organization and what they do to support the brain tumor community.