Manhood, Marriage, and the Tumor That Tried to Kill Me

I never thought of myself as a particularly manly man. I'm not strong or athletic, I don't hunt or fish, and I'm not particularly handy around the house. I worked as a writer, spent much of my time reading and writing in my home office, and enjoyed cooking and gardening. I loved my wife and children, and I was content with my life. Until I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Shrinkage: Manhood, Marriage, and the Tumor That Tried to Kill Me

by Bryan Bishop

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5725 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	337 pages

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It was the day before my 35th birthday. I was getting ready for work when I started to have a headache. It was just a dull ache at first, but it quickly grew worse. Within a few hours, I was in so much pain that I couldn't function. I went to the doctor, and they sent me for a CT scan. The results came back quickly: I had a tumor the size of a golf ball in my left frontal lobe.

I was stunned. I had no idea what to do. I had never been sick before, and I had never thought about the possibility of dying. I was married with two young children, and I couldn't imagine leaving them behind. I just wanted to go home and be with my family, but the doctors told me that I needed to stay in the hospital for observation. I spent the next few days in the hospital, undergoing tests and procedures. I had a biopsy, an MRI, and a PET scan. The doctors finally delivered their diagnosis: I had a glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer. I was given a year to live.

I was devastated. I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. I was only 35 years old, and I had so much to live for. I didn't want to die. I just wanted to be with my family. I decided to fight. I had surgery to remove the tumor, and I started chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The treatments were grueling, and they took a toll on my body and mind. I lost my hair, and I felt sick and tired all the time. But I kept fighting. I wanted to live for my wife and children, and I wanted to beat this disease.

The treatments were successful, and the tumor shrank significantly. After a year, I was declared cancer-free. I was so relieved and grateful, but I knew that my journey was far from over. I had to deal with the long-term effects of cancer treatment. I had cognitive problems, and I had to relearn how to do things that I had once taken for granted. I also had to deal with the emotional trauma of having a near-death experience. I had to come to terms with the fact that I might not be around for my wife and children, and I had to find a way to live with that uncertainty. It wasn't easy, but I eventually found a way to move on. I learned to appreciate the preciousness of life, and I became more determined than ever to make the most of the time that I had left.

I went back to work, and I started writing again. I also started spending more time with my family and friends. I wanted to make sure that I was there for them, and I wanted to create as many memories as possible. I also started volunteering at the local hospice, helping others who were dealing with cancer. I wanted to share my story, and I wanted to help others who were going through similar experiences.

Writing helped me to process my experiences and to make sense of what had happened to me. Writing allowed me to share my story with others, and it helped me to connect with people who were going through similar experiences. Writing also helped me to explore the meaning of manhood, marriage, and life itself. I learned that manhood is more than just being strong and tough. It's about being there for your loved ones, and it's about being a good person. I also learned that marriage is more than just a legal contract. It's about love, companionship, and support. I learned that life is precious, and that it's important to live each day to the fullest. I don't know how much time I have left, but I'm determined to make the most of it. I'm grateful for the time that I've been given, and I'm determined to live my life to the fullest.

Shrinkage: Manhood, Marriage, and the Tumor That Tried to Kill Me

by Bryan Bishop

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5725 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	337 pages

FREE