Chapters Transcript Video uts_018048_runner_tumor.mp4 it's freedom to me, I'm able to to listen to music and just let my mind drift for me. It's a stress reliever. After I ran the Austin half marathon in 2015, my back was never the same In 2020, the pain just started becoming unbearable. So I went to see a chiropractor. He encouraged me to get an M. R. I. Because just to rule out that it wasn't something more serious. When I received the M. R. I. I found out that indeed I had what's called a swan noma tumor. I was told if I didn't have surgery in time, I would probably be paralyzed. So I was referred to Dr Bagley and the O'donnell Brain Institute. He presented with a quite a large tumor that had invaded into his chest cavity and also into the spinal column. So was compressing on his spinal cord and went into the chest cavity displacing the lung. Um and also his kidney as well. We're seeing one of this size and someone who was an avid runner was extremely unusual. Mhm. Yeah. Once we were able to come in, remove the portion that was invading and compressing on the spinal cord effectively, we had accomplished our primary objective and then from there we were able to proceed to removing the tumor, I was told that it would take up to six weeks to recover and within a few days I was already starting to feel better. After 5.5 weeks, I felt so good. I was like, I think I'm gonna go for a run and I actually went out to an oak point park in plano and I ran three miles and just pull your toes up right there. Being able to help someone kind of achieve their goals is always very, very rewarding. And you know, I think that's why many of us went into the fields that we did. It's not an individual that is caring for you. It's an entire team. And I think it's our team based approach, interdisciplinary approach and always thinking innovatively and what's next and what's possible versus what is, I think that's what sets us apart My life now. I feel like I'm 22 again and I'm 45 years old, I'm happier. I'm more well rested and just enjoying life. Ut Southwestern O'donnell Brain Institute to me means a place where you can go to receive your life back. Mm. Mhm. Created by
