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Welcome pageWhat's NewCNI Center for
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Our doctors are happy to discuss your individual case with you. Serious inquiries only, please. To request an initial
team consultation, call Dr. Arenson, For more information
about CNI's Brain & Spinal Tumor Team, |
My
Story In November of 1998, my brother Scott Vickroy was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumor. Surgery was scheduled within two weeks. During that time I felt sad and alone. But most of all, I was scared. I couldn't stop crying and I couldn't sleep at night. I felt as though no one understood what I was going through. I did not know where to turn to for help. I didn't understand my emotions, so how could I expect anyone else to?
Looking back now, I wish finding help could have been as simple as picking up the phone and calling someone who had gone through a similar experience.
I had so many questions, and so many fears. Would Scott make it through surgery? Would he be the same afterwards? Is he going to die? And I couldn't help but think " Scott must be so scared. What should he expect?"
I wanted my brother to have the opportunity to find a former patient, someone who could tell him what the diagnoses and treatment of a brain tumor was like.
After searching around, I found a pen pal program through the American Brain Tumor Association. I was matched with Carol, a sister of a glioblastoma patient. Finally, my feelings were understood and justified. I felt an incredible sense of relief and found that we shared similar feelings and fears. Unfortunately, Carol lived in Montana. It would have been nice to have lunch together or go to a movie. It would have been nice to have met her brother. I attended a local support group, but found no one I could really talk to or form a relationship with.
While sitting in the waiting room during Scott's second surgery, a family friend came to visit. He brought with him a bag of homemade cookies and hugs and support. I will never forget that gesture and to this day it stands out in my mind how kind and thoughtful that was.
In between daily doctor appointments, there is hardly enough time to go to the grocery store, let alone cook a meal for a family. Scott and his wife, Shelly, were extremely lucky to have friends and neighbors bring them meals throughout their whole ordeal. I witnessed firsthand how much it was needed and appreciated.
As a result of my experience, I feel the need to not only help other sisters, but help patients, family members and friends by creating a program that allows them to have immediate help, if they need it, that requires little effort on their part: A simple phone call.
This experience has truly tugged at my heartstrings making me feel the need to do something. There is a certain connection between brain tumor patients, their families and friends. I envision it as a string, connecting all of our hearts together.
It is through Scott's courage, Shelly's strength and my husband's endless support that I find the motivation to establish this project.
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Colorado Neurological
Institute Center for Brain & Spinal Tumors
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