By: Brad Asher

12/2021

In mid April 2017 there was a giant non cancerous tumor found in my left brain on an MRI. I came home 15 weeks later. 
On May 1 & 2, 2017 I underwent 22 hours of surgery to remove a baseball sized tumor from my brainstem.  The non malignant tumor (Meningioma) was growing for 30 years.
 It’s a miracle I am alive. Thank God for Dr. Omar Almefty the neurosurgeon. 
The tumor has not returned but the surgery left me with double vision, dexterity issues, poor depth perception, headaches and a 1/2 a numb face, lips, head and throat.  
I saw Health Care workers at 4 different hospitals. 
I have done rehab therapy in a dozen different facilities. 
I had to learn how to walk and talk again twice. Not including when I was one. 
I went back to work until HOD made it too hard. 
In 2018 I developed a rare brain disease.  1 in 30,000,000 called Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration. (HOD), along with Ataxia. 
I have yet to meet a Doctor that has heard of it.  Even seen Doctors Googling it during my appointment. 
I retired early on full disability. 
I have good and bad days mentally and physically. 
I have issues with balance, depth perception, speech, swallowing and gait. 
I learned how to walk (with a walker) and talk AGAIN. Although not very good. 
Since I developed HOD I have developed palatial tremors. Although I am strong I do feel weak in the right leg. I scuff a lot. Issues on the left side include a lack of hand coordination. 
I use a walker or anything that keeps me upright. I’m great at wall walking. 
I to fall a lot. Usually once a week. Always backwards to the left. 
My record is 9 weeks without a fall. I catch myself a lot. I have have been taught to adapt and adjust my lifestyle to prevent mishaps. 
I call it Life’s Prayer.  
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change. 
The Courage to change the things I can. 
And the Wisdom to know the difference. 
I say it many times daily and it can be used for any of life’s issues. 
I am thankful for all the Therapists, Nurses, and Doctors I have seen. Some good. Some not so good. You can tell the difference. 
I still go to therapy weekly. Speech and Physical therapy. The therapist’s have taught me a great deal. 
I exercise daily on my own. 
I ride recumbent bikes 
I go to the Fitness Center twice a week. 
I drive, shop, cook and clean. I take a lot of breaks. 
So I live on. Maybe there is a cure for this disease someday.  A day at a time I fight HOD. 
I have been married for almost 40 years to my wife Beth. Without her I have no clue what I would do. 
Remember the wedding vows? In sickness and in health.For better or worse. She lives it, I’m no prize. 
Thanks to all of my family, friends, and health care workers for all of the help to deal with this.