The Brain Tumor Chronicles

If you or someone you know is having a pituitary tumor removed via endoscopic transsphenoidal, be sure to stock up on supplies prior to surgery so you’re ready when you get home.

I was buying a small box locally of NeilMed Sinus Rinse until finally decided to look on Amazon and found a big bag of 100. This is definitely the way to go.

Here’s the link for the NeilMed Sinus Rinse [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/3O7j2Cq

And distilled water. Check it out in your area. In our area, many stores run out and it takes forever to restock. So I buy several when we can and stock up at home. You may find them on Amazon. I chose to buy these gallons locally.

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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

• Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/

• Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/

• Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

• Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

• Leave a review on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

• Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

What was it like getting surgery approved during COVID protocols in 2022?

Listen in to hear what it was like in the State of Washington and how many days I waited for approval.

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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

• Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/
•. Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/
•. Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

• Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

• Leave a review on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

• Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

In this episode, I ask you a personal question: to share your diagnosis or not to share your diagnosis.

It's a personal decision and everyone chooses to do things differently.

I share about the decision my family and I made.

Quote for this episode:
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds, and diamonds are made under pressure.”
--Peter Marshall
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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

• Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/

• Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/
• Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

• Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

• Leave a review on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

• Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

Want to get attended to fast? I've been told twice to do it and not only in the USA but also abroad in Spain.

Now, this is not my advice but it's the story of what I have experienced and it surprised me to hear it on both occasions.

Have you heard this advice before?

Tune in to this episode to hear what I was told while waiting to get my first MRI and then after I was diagnosed.

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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

• Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/

• Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/

• Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

• Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

• Leave a review on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

• Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

A fun story of how my mom coped with the news of my tumor. And how my brain tumor diagnosis was misunderstood and my mom told everyone I had nose cancer.

Looking back I see how different people cope with bad news. But I also love seeing the humor in any situation.


Also, a reminder for all: all tumors are not cancerous. Some are benign while others are malignant. Be sure to ask to understand your diagnosis or that of a loved one.
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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

- Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/

- Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/

- Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

- Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

- Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

- Leave a review on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

- Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

In Ep. 8, I talked about my diagnosis: a large, abnormal, mass.

As soon as I left the ophthalmologist, I would go home and begin a day of Zoom doctor appointments with:

1. a Neurosurgeon
2. a Neuroopthamologist
3. an Endocrinologist

Listen to this episode to hear what I’d continue to learn about brain tumors on my birthday.

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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

- Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/

- Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/

- Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

- Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

- Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

- Leave a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

- Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

From a crazy birthday hex in my family to how I celebrated my 48th birthday.

Also, the gift I received was finally having answers, and starting on this day the next steps became known.

It would be a full day of doctor's appts via Zoom. But it actually was a relief to know what was wrong with me.

This episode brings out my emotion & I do let some tears out. And nope I didn't edit them out. You get me raw and real!

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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/](https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/)

- Website: [https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/](https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/)

- Esther’s Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/](https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/)
- Esther’s Twitter: [https://twitter.com/estherciganda](https://twitter.com/estherciganda)

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

- Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588
- Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980
- Leave a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d
- Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

I’m going blind! That is how 2022 would begin. Besides all the other things off in my body, this was the one that got to me the most.

Losing my sight could change my entire life so I could not continue to sit back. I had waited since Oct 4th, 2021 for an MRI. It was scheduled for Feb 3rd, 2022. But it was bad now, I could see but through a deep fog. I could barely see my telephone screen

Here are the main points I cover:
1. Schedule an appt on January 3rd, 2022 (emergency appt)
2. Initial thoughts…could be MS???
3. Go back the next day to do a field exam, MRI was prescribed again.
4. Decision time…go back to France and wait or do it in the States.
5. Talk to boss

Final takeaway?

I can’t explain my courage. It is who I am and I strive to empower others. Because as Nelson Mandela said…

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

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WHERE TO CONNECT:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumorchronicles/

• Website: https://www.podpage.com/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/

• Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.ciganda/

• Esther’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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WHERE TO GIVE ME FEEDBACK:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brain-tumor-chronicles/id1621831588

• Leave a review on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-brain-tumor-chronicles-4296980

• Leave a review on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3yx0cFMA0tRs7At7CRgYmW?si=da9555780400490d

• Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/estherciganda

In this episode, I go over 4 unusual but life-altering things that would compound in a matter of 8 days and lead me to take action again.

- In the next episode, I’ll go over what actions I would take next.

You won't believe what happened on October 4th, 2021!

Nothing too crazy but in this episode, I continue the story from October 4th, my eye appointment through December 24, 2021.

What's your guess? How long did it take to get an MRI scheduled?