Ryan Neal was five years old when a family dog named Casey pawed him awake in the middle of the night and that moment set off a chain of events that would define the next 30 years of his life. What followed was a misdiagnosis, a pioneering surgeon, and a near-miraculous shift from a malignant astrocytoma to a non-malignant DNET overnight. But surviving wasn't the end of Ryan's story, it was just the beginning of a life built on radical gratitude. Now an almost 30-year survivor, keynote speaker, and musician, Ryan shares how facing the worst at five years old gave him a framework for handling everything that came after.

• A family dog's instinct may have been the first sign something was wrong
• A mother's persistence made all the difference
• Dr. Alexa Canady, the first African-American female neurosurgeon in U.S. history, performed Ryan's surgery
• Overnight reclassification from astrocytoma grade 2 to non-malignant DNET changed his entire treatment path
• Ryan has lived with a pineal cyst since age 8 with no growth
• Sudden hearing loss in his left ear at age 10, completely unrelated to his tumor
• Childhood medical experiences eliminated adult health anxiety
• Gratitude as a daily practice, not just a feeling
• Survivor's guilt as a motivator, not just a burden
• Brain tumor journey evolved into a keynote speaking and music career

Bri will be participating in Coaching for Causes for another year. Each May, certified coaches from various fields donate our time for 1:1 coaching sessions. Clients make a donation to a selected cause in exchange for a session. This ensures that 100% of proceeds go directly to the nonprofit. I'm raising funds for Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute. The best part is that every coach chooses their own cause, so you can donate to another coach's cause and still coach with me or vice versa. Visit coachingforcauses.com for details.

Resources

Common medical terms relating to the brain tumor experience: rewired-minds.com/terms

Brain tumor organizations: https://www.rewired-minds.com/braintumorresources

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Website: ryannealmusic.com 

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Disclaimer

The stories shared here are personal accounts from the brain tumor community for informational and awareness purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding your specific situation. Most importantly, take care of yourself as you listen and process.