When life throws you a curveball

[imamom]

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Like all of you, my son went through the agony and the ecstasy of applying to medical school. Happily, Columbia P & S accepted him into the class of 2011. We were to find out that all the worry, all the torment was nothing. After finishing 1-1/2 years, while home for the holiday break this past December, he was found to have a brain tumor. On January 2, 2009, he had a total resection; on January 8, he was diagnosed with a Grade IV glioblastoma. Amazingly (and ironically) 10 days earlier, he had passed his neuro-pathology exam with an above average score. The knowledge was both a blessing and a curse.

First of all, if one of your choices is Columbia or Feinberg (Northwestern), grab the slot and don't look back. I can't begin to tell you the support we've received from the Columbia community, from the students (in all classes) to the deans down to the financial aid and housing staff. They have followed his treatment plan, separately looked at the pathology and diagnosis, and are in constant touch. They are welcoming him back in Jan. 2010 to continue his studies. He loved it there before and he loves them even more now.

And if the quality of the doctors treating him at Feinberg (many of whom are also on the medical school staff) is an indication of the education you would receive there, you would be fortunate indeed.

So as you look down the road, remember that you have all of life's possibilities ahead of you yet.

Please remember us in your prayers.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Like all of you, my son went through the agony and the ecstasy of applying to medical school. Happily, Columbia P & S accepted him into the class of 2011. We were to find out that all the worry, all the torment was nothing. After finishing 1-1/2 years, while home for the holiday break this past December, he was found to have a brain tumor. On January 2, 2009, he had a total resection; on January 8, he was diagnosed with a Grade IV glioblastoma. Amazingly (and ironically) 10 days earlier, he had passed his neuro-pathology exam with an above average score. The knowledge was both a blessing and a curse.

First of all, if one of your choices is Columbia or Feinberg (Northwestern), grab the slot and don't look back. I can't begin to tell you the support we've received from the Columbia community, from the students (in all classes) to the deans down to the financial aid and housing staff. They have followed his treatment plan, separately looked at the pathology and diagnosis, and are in constant touch. They are welcoming him back in Jan. 2010 to continue his studies. He loved it there before and he loves them even more now.

And if the quality of the doctors treating him at Feinberg (many of whom are also on the medical school staff) is an indication of the education you would receive there, you would be fortunate indeed.

So as you look down the road, remember that you have all of life's possibilities ahead of you yet.
Please remember us in your prayers.

Makes me want to be a doctor, thanks for sharing. 👍

 

[191159]

I was just reading about grade IV glioblastomas yesterday. Good luck to your son and thanks for posting his story.

 

[dw2158]

i love finding gems like this on SDN. thanks for posting, and i wish you and your son all the best!

 

[quiltlady]

Thanks, Imamom. We met in Houston and chatted. I wish you and your son the best. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Anotherface]

I got the impression that everyone at P&S is very supportive when I interviewed there, and this just reinforces that feeling. Thanks for sharing this gem with us.

 

[ponybreeder4]

hope your son makes a full and speedy recovery!

 

[tdjn]

I can't begin to imagine how difficult this has been for your son and the family. Hopefully, you can take some comfort in the fact that you have our support.