Around April 2012 I started experiencing what I thought was symptoms of a sinus infection. I had pressure on my eyes which worsened when I stooped down and the pain intensified to migraines. I also had issues with double vision and blacking out when stooping down low. After seeing an Ear Nose & Throat doctor and taking 3 rounds of different antibiotics over the course of a couple months I had no relief from the migraines and sinus pressure. In late May when my doctor told me that I didn’t have a sinus infection he referred me to get an MRI. On June 7th, 2012 the MRI indicated that I had a 4cm tumor deep in the center of my brain. I was told to immediately head to the UCLA ER to be admitted to the hospital faster for further treatment. After spending all day and night on a bed in a crowded ER hallway, unable to eat or drink, I finally got admitted to the hospital.
I had my first craniotomy a week after my hospital admittance on June 15, 2012. After taking two small biopsies my neurosurgeon aborted surgery once he was told that my diagnosis was cerebral glioblastoma. He gave a prognosis of “months” to live. After hanging out another week post surgery at the hospital to get a shunt in place and recover I was eager to brake free and go home.
Two weeks after my surgery my Neuro Oncologist explained the final pathology report from my surgery. Apparently the report indicated that the type of cancer had changed. I no longer had a grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM) but a grade 3 pineal blastoma. The prognosis was better because my life could be extended years with chemo and radiation treatment.
On July 19, 2012 I had my second craniotomy. This time the surgery outcome was much more positive than the first. The chair of neurosurgery, Dr. Martin, and the surgeon from my first surgery, Dr. Yang, worked as a team to complete the entire tumor extraction. Dr. Yang indicated that the surgery went better than they had expected. They were able to remove all of the tumor that they could visibly see. We are still awaiting new MRI results to see if there is remaining cancer cells that show up.
Stop Brain Cancer 
I pray to almighty that your new MRI results be still better and you be cured from it.
I’m now following this blog. Praying for you bro!
Hope must be the last thing to go! And through this blog and the smiling photos in it I am sure you are following that rule.
I am praying for your full recovery.
Keep fighting and hoping!
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m a friend of Christine B.’s and our family has been praying for your family. Great to hear the news that things are looking up!!! Still praying. 🙂
Robert, you are such an inspiration to so many people. Continue fighting hard because you have the most amazing wife and beautiful little boy who love you so much! I will continue to pray for positive news and a full recovery!
Thanks for the update! So grateful you’re doing better! The power of fasting and prayer is truly amazing! Love to you guys! xoxo
We think of you often. Thanks for sharing your story. Blogs are so wonderful, and can be a source of strength and support. We will keep praying, and asking Heavenly father to bless your and your family with strength, peace, clarity, or anything you need. – Ben and Cortney Jones
Thank you for the update, Robert! May God bless you and your family.
Prayers and best wishes are also coming from our humble home. I have heard too many stories of young men getting brain cancer, and this is one too many. God bless you, all three of you.
Our family prays every night for your recovery and for your mom, wife and child. I know the Lord can work miracles, and I’ve seen him work those miracles in you. God bless you.
This is so great! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing. I am praying for you all. I was sad to see my dad go from brain cancer and will do all I can to help support you guys! Sending much love, Amanda (Craig & Connor too)
First and foremost I praise GOD and believe in him with all my heart that he has a bigger plan through all things that we go through such as a time as this is for me and my family. I have been diagnosed with GBM IV and have had the majority of the tumor removed. The neurosurgeon said he got roughly 98 percent of it and he cauterized the remaining nerves left. GOD uses everything we have gone through and are going through to prepare us for his kingdom. I am blessed beyond belief with you all who are in one accord and are collectively praying with expectation knowing GOD is the ultimate healer. I thank GOD I had these seizures and found out that there was something not right in my head. Lol as if we all didn’t know I was crazy! I truly believe this is a stepping stone for me to share GOD’s miraculous works especially with the doctors and I embrace this tumor as it is fading day by day. I too have a mask and have been taking radiation treatment along with Temodar chemo treatment for the past two weeks. This whole experience is opening so many other doors and allowing others to see and know JESUS is real. I thank GOD for using a time such as this to give him the glory and honor. I know you will be healed because I felt GOD while reading your blog. May you share your blessings with others and I look forward to the other lifes you impact. May GOD continually give you and your family strength and I thank GOD for you as you have lifted my spirits as well.