The Faces of Brain Tumors
Paige Woolwine
Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Diagnosed August, 2002
Richmond, VA
My name is Paige Woolwine and I have an anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumor. My story is a very unique case which confirms that you need to seek many opinions and get to the right doctors to identify your plan of action.
My story begins on August 1, 2002. I was twelve (12) weeks pregnant and had a grand mal seizure at 3 am. Not only was I scared and concerned for myself, but for my unborn child which I had been trying to conceive for over a year. My husband quickly called 911 and we were off to the hospital to figure out what was going on. I spent five days in the hospital during which time the doctors went back and forth on what condition I had. After numerous MRI’s and CAT Scans, they determined that I had multiple small lesions which indicated Multiple Scelorosis, and one big lesion which could indicate MS or a tumor. I had no definitive conclusions leaving the hospital, but the doctors told me to stay on the anti-seizure medicine and see a neurologist after the baby was born in January. Thankfully, on January 23, 2003, I delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy, who was not negatively affected by the seizure or the medication that I had been taking during the pregnancy. That March 2003, I was diagnosed with MS, with the explanation of the large lesion being an “unusually large MS lesion”. I was put on an interferon drug, Avonex, and began my quest to learn about MS. For that year, I went to other doctors, including the University of Virginia, VCU and Johns Hopkins. I received many different opinions, which confirms my minister’s belief that they still call the medical field, “the practice of medicine”. However, it was almost a year later, in February 2004, that an MRI at Johns Hopkins caused more concern. The “large lesion” had not only grown, but it also had more enhancement. The doctors suggested that the time had come to do a biopsy of the area. After a lot of research and discussion with doctors, we determined that if the area was in fact a tumor, (biopsied while I was on the operating table), I would then allow the doctors to perform an awake crainiotomy. I figured, if they were going to open up my head, I would rather them only do it once! The surgery was successful as they were able to remove 80% of the tumor, leaving 20%, which was too risky to take out. Following the surgery, I commenced radiation for seven weeks in May 2004 at the MCV Massey Cancer Center. The radiation itself was not bad at all, although losing my hair and the fatigue that followed did not make for a great summer. Today I get MRI’s every 3 months and take Temodar every 28 days. I am working under the care of the staff at MCV. As of this writing, I feel good physically and have continued with all of my responsibilities of raising a family and working full time. I feel very lucky for all of the many blessings that I have received and live each day to the fullest. I hope that by becoming involved in the local brain tumor community and other brain tumor organizations, that I can make a difference in other people's lives.