Brad’s story has a beginning similar to many others: with persistent headaches. Thinking it may have been sinus-related, Brad’s wife Tia encouraged him to see his doctor in October 2022. After a short course of steroids and antibiotics, Brad’s return to good health was short-lived.
An episode of disorientation ended in a call to Tia stating he’d forgotten where both his truck and his doctor’s office were. After being discharged from urgent care with a migraine diagnosis, the couple searched throughout town for Brad’s vehicle well into the evening hours.
That experience was enough for Tia to advocate for imaging on her husband’s behalf. What was initially thought to be simple migraines turned out to be grade 4 Glioblastoma.
A treatment plan was put in place utilizing six weeks of concurrent radiation and temozolomide, but difficulties following steroid-related side effects prevented Brad from starting treatment. His condition quickly declined, and local care providers began to favor a palliative approach.
Tia’s mom reached out to Brain Tumor Network for help and got Tia connected with a Social Work Navigator and Nurse Navigator team for immediate support. Using this Co-Navigated approach, BTN was able to provide Tia and Brad with ongoing, individualized assistance, insurance education, personalized clinical trial search, second opinion consultation, active listening, and caregiver support. With this added layer of BTN empowerment, the determined couple could once again focus on the days ahead.
Today, Brad is 11 months post-diagnosis, connected with a new care team, and about to complete adjuvant therapy. His journey isn’t over and Tia, Brad, and his family’s fight remains strong.
“The Brain Tumor Network was invaluable shortly after diagnosis,” said Tia. “Understanding MRI results, having help with SSD and what that process would look like, having a place to bring questions to, and having a place to feel heard.”