A brain tumor diagnosis profoundly affects you, from body and brain to mind and emotions. Hear how one brain tumor survivor is flipping the script and prioritizing peace and calmness four years after her brain tumor diagnosis.
Missing Signs of a Brain Tumor
Each morning, Ali Smith reads the mantra “Flip the Script” on a sticky note stuck to her bathroom mirror. It’s been on her mirror for more than four years and reminds Ali to let go of the stress and anxiety pervading her thoughts.
“When you have a brain tumor, you are not in control of the diagnosis or during recovery. It takes over your whole life and body,” said Ali “When I see the ‘Flip the script’, I know it’s okay to let go.”
Before Ali’s diagnosis, she was always on the go and busy with an office job, family and personal interests. As a full-time working mom of three children and a fitness instructor, she had her hands full. The abrupt change from always on the go to COVID lockdown was Ali’s rationale for the headaches, slurred speech, and loss of speech in June 2020. Her husband saw a different story to her symptoms and urged her to get checked out.
Within days of seeking answers, she was in the operating room to remove a large grape-size brain tumor in her frontal lobe, followed by six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. Four months later, she returned to work, embracing a renewed perspective.
Flipping the Script on Brain Tumor’s Impact
“It’s not about seeking perfection or always on the go. Now, it’s about being happy and enjoying the moments in my life,” said Ali.
Now, Ali is strengthening her ability to foster a sense of peace and tranquility, including sharing her brain tumor story with others and being an ABTA mentor.
Reading the mantra on her bathroom mirror helps, along with several strategies she uses to calm her busy and active mind.
“When I can’t sleep, I visualize putting my worries into a box and watch it float away on a river,” said Ali. “It helps me get back to sleep when I wake up at night and my mind begins to race.”
She also participates in deep breathing exercises, meditation, encourages others to talk with someone who has experience a similar path impacted by a brain tumor. She also sought counseling with an oncology psychologist specialized in working with brain tumor patients through her treatment center.
Perhaps the most meaningful change is her mindset.
“I was a Type A personality, and I had a hard time letting things go,” said Ali. “I’m still working on calming my anxiety, especially when work or life gets overwhelming. It’s a work in progress.”
Strategies to Achieve Tranquility for Brain Tumor Care
Patients and caregivers often experience elevated levels of distress, anxiety, depression and other emotional effects from a brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. Before you get well into the new year, know additional strategies to bring rest and tranquility to your life. These strategies can help improve emotional and mental well-being.
Mindful Therapeutics Through Art
Mindful Therapeutics Through Art is an evidence-based method of expressing emotions from the trauma of a cancer diagnosis, such as a brain tumor. Vicki Mackie, a cancer survivor, is founder of the nonprofit Sites and Insights and the SAI Method, a wholistic, integrated approach to heal patients and caregivers.
Sites and Insights offers virtual workshops and in-person retreats that use color, art, and mindful health practices and tools. Patients and caregivers who have participated in Mindful Therapeutics Through Art and the SAI Method have been shown to improve participants’ emotions and well-being. There are several options to participate in-person or online with Sites and Insights. Vicki also offers exercises you can do on your own time.
Fully Facilitated Workshops/Retreats
Register for free classes and workshops at Sites and Insights. Visit the calendar of events and learn about upcoming workshops, retreats and more, including:
- Two-hour weekly virtual workshops for four weeks, facilitated by trained staff. Once registered and accepted into the workshop, art supplies and materials will be shipped to you.
- Four-day in-person weekend retreats: Contemplating Nature Retreat (2/7–2/9; 7/25–7/27)
Self-Directed Therapeutics Through Art
Vicki recommends easy exercises and activities you can do to release the “chattering brain”:
- Doodle: With a crayon, color pencil, or marker, scribble to release your negative thoughts and emotions.
- Five senses – Using each of your five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste), identify 1-5 examples of each sense and examine its effect on you and your thoughts.
- Nature Walk – stroll through nature and study its nuances. Walks in nature have been shown to improve mood, emotions, body and spirit.
- Watch a feather or light object drop in mid-air to release the tension in your mind and body.
For more information, visit www.sitesandinsights.org.
Box Breathing
Here’s how to get started with box breathing:
Integrative medicine and neuro-oncology expert and 2024 National Conference speaker, Dr. Soma Sengupta shares ways for brain tumor patients, survivors and caregivers to find balance and calm along the brain tumor journey. At her session, “Redefinding Survivorship,” she introduced the audience to an ancient Tai Chai breathing exercise, called box breathing, to regulate calm and help participants feel centered.
- Sit with your hands in your lap
- Inhale for four counts
- Hold for four counts
- Exhale for four counts
- Repeat this exercise for one minute
Sound and Breath Journey
At the 2024 National Conference, Sound and Breath Journey (also called sound baths) was offered to attendees to engage in a method of complementary medicine that supports emotional well-being. This method is combines instrumental sounds and breathing. Sound journeys are healing meditations that allow the participant to relax while taking in the instruments’ vibrations to disarm any discomfort you may be feeling in your body.
To try sound and breath journey:
- Take deep, slow breaths.
- Play calming instrumental sounds, such as chimes or singing bowls.
- Immerse yourself in a conscious sound experience. Focus on your body’s sensations and breathing.
- Notice the feeling of balance and energy in your mind, body and spirit.
Explore More ABTA Resources
- Building Resilience: Hear more on “Lessons in Building Resilience”
- Online Support Community: Join ABTA Connections Support Community to share and learn from others experiencing a brain tumor diagnosis.
