Title: "Tonya's Revelation"
Description: This is the email I sent out informing everyone that I had a brain tumor.
Date written: January 25, 2002
Hello friends and a few family members!
I just wanted to send out an email to all of you letting you know how
my life is going and what's new. Well, I will start with the big news.
I'm sure a lot of you already know from source or another (as I have
told very few). However, I would rather tell you this way so that I
don't have to bring it up in an awkward way during some random
conversation.
Here goes: Well, to start from the very beginning, I should say that I
have been having really bad headaches for about a year. I let it go on
for way too long, because I finally went to a doctor in New York this
past October. The doctor was absolutely horrible. She had no people
skills what so ever. However, she gave me some medicine that helped a
little. Ok, so while I was home for winter break, my horrendous
headaches were still occurring quite frequently, so Mom took me to a
doctor. She increased the medicine that the NY doctor had given me.
Well, that didn't work because that medicine caused me to have a heital
hernia (feels like an ulcer) and some other embarrassing stuff that I
won't mention. So the doctor took me off that medicine, and just
started experimenting with medicine to see what would work, but nothing
did. So finally she had me do a catscan. Well, the results didn't
turn out so well. So she made me go through an MRI (a different type of
scan) to see if I had something major wrong. The results came back
before I even got home from the hospital. My mom called the doctor back
and immediately started crying. I knew right then that something was
bad. It turns out that I have a brain tumor! It's on the left side of
my brain, on top, not inside. We went to see a neurologist and a neuro
surgeon the next day. They were both concerned, obviously, but felt
surgery could wait. The tumor is assumed to be a meningioma type,
which is almost always benign (non-cancerous), but of course, the
doctors won't know for sure until they take it out. As of now, my
routine is pretty normal. I'm just going to school and taking pain
medication. I have to come home now for spring break to have another
MRI done. If the tumor hasn't grown or changed in any way, then I'll
come back to school as normal. Then I plan to have the surgery this
summer when I have the time to recover and heal and stuff. The doctors
told me that the tumor is very close to the stem that controls the
motor functions of the right side of my body. They said that might
cause some problems, like random twitching or loss of control. Also I
could have seizures, since it involves my brain. I don't want to alarm
any of you. I mean, this is serious and all, but I'm fine. To be
honest, the only thing that I have EVER worried about since finding out
was that I would have to miss school! That mind sound silly to some of
you, but New York is my life!
Besides that news, there isn't too much to tell. I'm back in New York!
Yeah! My classes are wonderful so far. This is my first semester as an
official Communications major! Another yeah, after the grueling process
of getting accepted into the program! I'm still one of the mascots
here, which is a lot of fun! All my bobcat buddies are the best! I
have just signed up for a Hip Hop dance class with my roommate Melissa
and my other friend Clay. It should be interesting. I'm going to look
stupid, but I'm only doing it for fun. A drawback to this semester is
that I lost my closest friend! My friend, Bart, decided to leave me
and go to Italy for the semester! What a traitor! Just playin'. I
will survive somehow! Some good news...My mom and aunt Bonnie are
going to visit me on Valentine's Day (that weekend). It'll be a blast!
I can't wait for them to see my dorm and meet my new roommates (Lydia
and Diana).
Well, I can't think of anymore news, so I'll end here. If I think of
anything else, I will be sure to inform you all! Please remember to
keep in touch. I have already begun to drift away from some of my
closest friends simply by lack of communication (which is not
completely my fault by the way), it's just not necessary! All right,
so I will be talking to you all soon! Take care!
Love,
Tonya
Here are some of the replies I received:
From Erin Smith, a friend I went to high school with:
Tonya! It was good to hear from you! Except for all the bad news...I'm so sorry about all that and I hope and PRAY that
it will all work out to be just fine. I LOVE YOU! Glad to hear that school is going so well! Congrats on making it into
the Comm. program! I have to apply for interior design at the end of this semester, so I know exactly what you are coming
from. We'll see how it goes! :) Well, I just wanted to tell you that, I'm thinking about you. Good luck with
everything! Love, Erin
From Katy Dukes (now Katy Longfellow), a friend I graduated high school with:
Hey, Tonya! I am so sorry about your bad news... I just wanted to cry when I read your email, but it sounds like you are
taking it really well and maybe it can be removed easily without any problems. I really hope so! You are so brave being
so far away from home and now going through this, I just wanted you to know I respect you so much. Well, hopefully your
semester is going great for you- - I'm glad you're not having to miss any school. And it's great that your mom and aunt
get to come out for V-day! I'm sure they're really excited too. Well, I hate to cut this short but I've got to get to a
meeting and I wanted to get a note off to you. But if you ever need anything please let me know. I'll be praying for you
that everything goes well. Take care! ~Katy
From Alicia Merritt, my Iowa pen pal since 6th grade:
Wow! I was so happy to hear from you but shocked with this surprising news!
Thank you so much for telling me about it! Please know that you are in my
prayers and I'm always here if you need to talk! It sounds like you are handling it all so well, but I am sure it must be
scary! Bless your heart for not wanting to miss school! I am so glad that
you are still enjoying it and in love with New York. It truly is an amazing
place. Well, I am just so shocked and don't know what else to say. I just want you
to know that you are in my prayers and I will be anxious to know how
everything goes and how you are feeling. Keep in touch!
((((HUGS)))) Love, Alicia
From Joe Points, my former boss at GEAR For Sports:
Thanks for the update. I know it had to be a little frustrating to have
your story out in the public domain like it was but that seems to be the
only drawback to living in a small town. Well, maybe there are a few more,
like entertainment and lack of ethnic foods, but hey we can't have it all.
I know just from managing the plant that there are lots of positives to
operating a business in a close-knit community. Security, relationships,
friendships, and a shared sense of community are what makes Bedford such an
enjoyable place to work and live. Anyways I think the fact that lots of
people understood your plight is testament to how much people care for you,
Connie, and Bonnie. Our thoughts are always with you. Stay out of trouble
but have fun! Joe
From Jodi Allen, one of my closest MO friends when I was in high school:
I am so sorry to hear about what happened. I didn't read your email until
yesterday and I was absolutely devastated! I had my hand over my mouth
reading your email for 2 class periods. I couldn't believe it, I was
waiting for the "Just joking" to pop up. If there is anything I can do for
you let me know and I'm not just saying that! I'm serious! You've had a
tough year and I admire you for all you have accomplished and will be
accomplishing even after hearing this kind of news. You truly are something
special. Well-I've got to get back to class. Keep your head up and keep me
informed. You know my number if you need me! Love ya, Jodi
From Tijae Smith, a good friend from high school and one of the students that I used to tutor in Spanish:
Hey, what's up? Not a whole lot here. I have some good news. I got a really big part in the spring play. It was rather
strange, I was sitting in class, and Mrs. Ritchie walks in and asks if she can talk to me. We go out into the hall, and
she hands me a playbook. She tells me about my part, tells me that it is what makes the play funny and that it is just the
part for me. She asks if I'm interested, and of course I told her yes. So, I will be in the spring play. Oh, I got a new
car also, but I can't drive it until I pay it off, which I am 600 dollars away. It is a '93 ford probe, and it is sweet.
From the front, it looks like a 911 Porsche ( I love it). Anyway though, Nana told me about what happened. I'm so sorry,
and I am praying that everything turns out alright. You have been one of the best friends I have ever had, and I love you
like a sister ( I mean that ). I am sorry I haven't wrote you as often, but I have been so busy. Anyway, I just thought
I'd drop you a message. I hope you get well soon. I'll talk to you later ok. Remember, I love you and I'll be praying
for you. See ya later. Love always, Tijae
