My healthy lifestyle saved my life: words from a brain tumor survivor

My name is Christian Drumm and I’m a brain tumor survivor and marathon runner. My healthy lifestyle of running, exercising, and consistently training for races is what saved my life. In 2007 during a routine eye exam, my ophthalmologist noticed fluid buildup behind my eye. Due to her continued concern and professional collaboration with other medical specialists, a brain tumor was discovered through an MRI. Since I had experienced no notable symptoms, the medical community was shocked to learn of the advanced stage of the tumor in my brain. A tumor at that stage tends to have side effects of headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty performing everyday activities. I explained how I was in the middle of training for a marathon, and that only added to their disbelief. During my initial consultation with a neurologist at Georgetown University Hospital, the concern over the severity of the tumor was so great that I was instructed not to leave the hospital that day. Surgery was the only option. The prognosis was grim, and many of the complications of the surgery were serious: paralysis, seizures, and death. Yet to me it was a win-win situation. The Bible reads in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If I died during the emergency surgery, I knew I would be with my Lord. If the surgery were a success, I would be on the road to recovery and full health. Thanks to many answered prayers and one skilled brain surgeon, I made it out alive.After the surgery, I endured several months of physical therapy to help regain muscle strength and balance. It was a very difficult time, but my disciplined marathon training helped keep me focused on recovery. When I went back to work at the dental office several months later, I was able to be more relaxed and focused. I had a better perspective on life and what was important. To this day I still have to work to articulate in speech and remember not to push myself to extreme limits. I’m still actively training for marathons, and I try to run one race a year after receiving the consent of my brain surgeon. I try to listen to my body more than ever before. Living a healthy lifestyle greatly helped me to successfully and quickly recover from brain surgery. It’s important to me to continue to stay active and healthy.Author bioChristian Drumm can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].