The 'Speed Bump' That Sparked My Wellness Journey

"This will be a life-changing 'speed bump' situation, but you are going to be okay."

I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and who I was with when I got a call 13 years ago that would change my life. I had just left a meeting at a media agency when the doctor called:

"This has nothing to do with your neck, but we see the base of a brain tumor. You need to come in for an MRI tomorrow."

I collapsed at my desk, convinced I was dying. I left the office in a daze, crawled into bed at home, and didn’t know what the future would hold. Panic, fear, and anxiety consumed me, but the only thing that could bring me closer to answers was time.

The next 72 hours were a blur. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or hold a conversation. After the brain scan, I had to wait 24 hours for the results. We were at the airport, about to fly to my now-husband’s brother’s wedding, when the call finally came.

"We think you have a benign brain tumor that will require surgery, potentially radiation, and a recovery period, but you can still live a somewhat normal life."

At the time, I didn’t know what “somewhat normal” meant. But knowing it was benign, and hearing the words “speed bump,” lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I boarded the plane to the wedding with a sense of relief I hadn’t felt since the diagnosis.

In the weeks leading up to surgery, I went through countless appointments, pre-op assessments, and the realization that I might lose hearing in my right ear permanently. A month before the surgery, I got engaged. It was an incredible distraction from the anxiety swirling in my mind. But despite the joy, thoughts still crossed my mind:

"Will I even make it to the wedding?"

July 30, 2013 – Surgery Day

My anxiety was through the roof. I remember telling my husband I couldn’t do it, that I just couldn’t go through with it. Walking into the operating room felt like stepping into another world: forty doctors, endless medical equipment, and a bed in the middle of it all. The nurse told me to hop on the table, and that’s all I remember.

I woke up in the ICU with half of my face paralyzed. I couldn’t move it. I was devastated and confused; I hadn’t been warned this could happen. On top of that, I was adjusting to single-sided deafness. Doctors reassured me that my facial nerve was strong, so there was hope, but it didn’t stop the shock.

Despite the challenges, my recovery in the hospital was smoother than expected. One nurse even told me I was the “Michael Jordan of the unit” because I was up and walking by day two. I surprised myself with my own resilience and slowly began to accept my crooked smile. But the ringing in my right ear, something I never imagined I would live with, started immediately, and it’s been with me ever since.

Finding Strength in Recovery

This experience sparked a deep passion for wellness. During my recovery, I became obsessed with understanding how to nurture both my mind and body. I dove into research on routines, supplements, rituals, and strategies to support my physical and mental well-being. Over the years, I experimented, adapted, and refined these practices, learning what truly helped me feel good—even while navigating lingering symptoms like single-sided deafness, dizziness, and constant ringing in my ear.

As I grew more confident in what worked for me, friends and family began turning to me for guidance, seeking advice on how to care for themselves and build resilience in their own lives.

While the specifics have evolved over time, one thing has remained constant: my dedication to wellness and helping others feel their best—even in the face of change, adversity, and uncertainty.

I surprised myself with my own resilience and slowly began to accept my crooked smile.

Today, my journey continues—not just for myself, but for anyone looking to take control of their wellness, even when life throws unexpected challenges in the way.