7 Lessons I Learned After 7 Brain Surgeries

Seven brain surgeries. That sentence alone still takes my breath away. Not because I’m stuck in the past — but because I survived it. I grew through it. And most importantly, I came back stronger, softer, and more self-aware than I ever imagined possible.

Living with hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation meant my life changed drastically — and quickly. But it also forced me to face the kind of growth most people don’t experience in a lifetime. This post isn’t just a list of reflections — it’s a page from my Comeback Diary. It’s what I’d tell the version of me lying in a hospital bed… and what I now share with anyone navigating the long road back to themselves.

1. Rock Bottom Isn’t the End — It’s the Start of Reinvention

After surgery #3, I found myself in a wheelchair, unable to walk. It felt like my independence was stolen. But what I learned is that rock bottom isn’t a dead end — it’s a foundation. I rebuilt my mindset, step by shaky step, until I could stand again. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

2. Your Mindset Is More Powerful Than Any Diagnosis

Doctors told me what to expect. But no one could measure the power of belief. I had to train my mind to choose hope, even when the odds were stacked against me. Healing doesn’t start in your body — it starts in your thoughts.

3. Slowing Down Isn’t Weakness — It’s Wisdom

In a world that praises hustle, learning to rest felt like rebellion. But it was necessary. My brain needed time. And I finally understood slowing down allows space for deeper healing — the kind you can’t rush.

4. Grief and Growth Can Coexist

I grieved the life I once had. The ease of before. The energy I used to take for granted. But I also learned that grief doesn’t cancel outgrowth. They walk hand-in-hand. And through that duality, I found a new version of me I’m proud of.

5. You’ll Outgrow People — And That’s Okay

Surgeries taught me who my real support system was. And it wasn’t always who I expected. Some people left. Some showed up fiercely. I learned to stop begging for understanding and start making room for the people who got it — no explanations required.

6. Your Comeback Isn’t Just About Survival — It’s About Rebuilding Dreams

After brain surgery, everything changes. But I didn’t want to just survive. I wanted to thrive. I went back to work. I redefined my goals. I found joy in new ways — hiking, raising my son, building my career, and embracing every part of this version of me. Because in all honesty - what happened in 2019, made me realize that if I did not make it, I truly did not live to my fullest potential and now I am getting that second chance.

7. You’re Allowed to Be Proud — Even If You’re Still Healing

There is no trophy for making it through what I did. But I am proud. And you should be too. Whether you're one surgery in or seven like me — your journey is valid. Your resilience is enough. Your comeback is unfolding exactly as it should.

The Takeaway

Seven brain surgeries didn’t break me — they woke me up. They taught me how to fight, how to feel, and how to come back — not as the person I once was, but as someone even more aligned with purpose, strength, and gratitude.

To anyone facing your own mountain: your comeback is coming. And it’s going to be bigger than the setback.