“My tenacity was definitely tested over the last four years. I believe everyone has a story. My story is summed up in that I’m not a quitter. I MADE IT!” Nancy* shared.

* Her real name is used with permission.

Likely Saved Nancy’s Life

A car accident four years ago likely saved Nancy’s life. Her doctor checked her for a concussion and a full work up was ordered.

“Once the test results were back, the doctor explained I had a brain tumor. None of it made sense. I wasn’t showing any symptoms,” Nancy explained.

“He shared the location of the tumor would impact my executive thought area. That area controls my ability to pay attention, to have abstract thoughts, to problem solve, to discern, to express emotions, and to make judgments. It also would impact muscle movements, coordination, and my sense of smell.”

Nancy was diagnosed with grade 2 oligodendroglioma of the brain. She consulted with five doctors before choosing a neurosurgeon at Duke University. “It was frightening to think he would perform the surgery while I was awake, but he was highly regarded and was optimistic about my prognosis.”

Wasn’t Able to Follow Verbal Commands

Even though her son, Ryan, and the rest of Nancy’s family were very concerned about the seriousness of her upcoming surgery, she and Ryan broke the tension at one of her appointments by taking silly pictures.

In September of 2016, Nancy’s neurosurgeon removed a tumor the size of an egg from her front temporal lobe. Swelling and bruising occurred near the thirty staples the neurosurgeon used to close the craniotomy.

Ryan described the next few weeks as Nancy doesn’t recall the surgery or her recovery in the ICU. “Her doctors stopped by to check her progress, asking her to stick out her tongue and raise her arm or leg,” he explained. “The doctors realized she wasn’t able to follow verbal commands; instead, she was mimicking their hand motions as they gave verbal commands.”

“They agreed my mom had severe aphasia, which is the loss of ability to understand or express speech due to brain damage. I read devotions to her. We watched movies. We sang her favorite songs to her. Even though she was unable to communicate, her winsome attitude shown through.”

One of her doctors marched into her room one morning and yelled, “Why won’t you talk to me?!?” I told Mom later that she stuck her tongue out at him.

Tested Her Tenacity

Once home, Nancy continued speech therapy and occupational therapy. Writing came quicker than her speech. Her occupational therapist identified difficulties with sequencing and reading comprehension, so Ryan worked with her for hours each day to improve those skills.

Completing so many activities was overwhelming at times, but Nancy was committed to improving. She surprised her family one morning when she whispered, “Good morning.” Tears of joy fell as not hearing Nancy’s voice for weeks was difficult for all.

Tenacity wasn’t a new character trait for Nancy, but learning to speak, process information, and comprehend what she was reading tested her tenacity. “It was a burden for me to not be able to speak. It was scary as no one knew if I would ever speak again,” Nancy shared.

Returned to Work

Nancy’s speech improved significantly as she neared the three-month post-surgery date. In January, just five months after her brain surgery, Nancy returned to work. She was driving herself there, which increased her sense of independence.

Having worked for Senator Johnny Isakson for over twenty years, Nancy enjoyed her return to work so she could plan and host events for exemplary students across the state of Georgia. Many of her co-workers were patient and gracious with Nancy when it took longer for her to process information and give answers to their questions. However, one co-worker had her sights on Nancy’s position and made it known, which caused Nancy considerable stress.

“Because Mom had shown such improvement and was doing well with driving herself, she ventured to Perimeter Mall about fifteen months after her surgery. Her left arm began to shake, and she couldn’t control it. She had a seizure in the food court,” Ryan explained.

Despite Her Tenacious Attitude

Even though seizures are commom after brain surgery, her doctors couldn’t explain why she began having them so long after her surgery. The second seizure occurred a few months later at her home. Medications were added to treat the seizures, but they each came with frustrating side effects.

“I was there when she had her third seizure. It was the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen,” Ryan shared.

Despite her tenacious attitude, Nancy became weary with how the seizures and medications impacted her daily life. She admitted, “If I had known how the surgery was going to end up and how I would begin having seizures, I don’t think I would have had the surgery. I would have just continued with my life. After all, who knows how long I could have lived showing no signs of the tumor.”

Added to the Trials

Another opportunity to test her tenacity arose when skin cancer was discovered on her lower left eyelid. Surgery to remove the lower lid was performed. The anesthesiologist stood over her, keeping watch to ensure she would wake up after the surgery. Nancy and her family were relieved she made it through it without any complications.

Her fourth seizure happened while at home. She took time to recover, but she was eager to return to work to plan and host the 2019 Appointees Salute. This would be Senator Isakason’s last event before he retired, which saddened Nancy as she respected him and loved working for him. After the event, she began placing flags in mailboxes of those who were unable to attend the event. It was here that she experienced her last seizure. It occurred fourteen months ago.

An impending divorce and the sale of their home added to the trials Nancy faced. In December of 2019, Nancy retired. “My mom and I moved into a home with a lovely backyard in which we enjoy God’s beautiful creation,” Nancy shared. “I look foward to spending time with my family and sharing the gospel and my story at every opportunity I’m given.”

Urgency to Share the Gospel

Having studied characters in the Bible throughout her life, Nancy likened the last few years of her life to Job. “Just like Job when he experienced catastrophic loss, I felt God speaking to me during my trials. I was brought to my knees. My relationship with God strengthened me and gave me courage to go on.”

Over her lifetime, Nancy studied the Bible and memorized many verses, yet only one verse was unaffected by the brain damage from the tumor and surgery. “The message of the entire Bible revolves around John 3:16, which is why this verse is so ingrained on my heart and mind. I have an urgency to share the gospel while I am still able to do so,” Nancy shared. “I want people to know God is so good, powerful, and all-knowing. He loves you so much!”

Mindset To Never Give Up

“My family and friends, specifically Jan and Sheila, supported me during the hardest times of my life. They kept showing me love and covering me in prayer. I thank my son, Ryan, for helping me so much with my recovery. He took excellent care of me and helped with my therapies. It would have taken me longer to recover without him,” Nancy shared. “My mom has always been there for me, and I will always be there for her.”

“Life hasn’t been easy since my surgery. I still struggle with time, dates, and math calculations among other things. It takes me longer to process what is being said to me and replying to questions. But I’m not a quitter,” she explained. “I believe overcoming is being tenacious, that is having the mindset to never give up no matter what.”

Leave a reply (below): The word tenacity means not easily pulled apart or persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired. Nancy showed tenacity each time she faced a struggle. How have struggles in your life given you opportunities to test your tenacity?