We have been honored to share Bridget McCall's story the last two years and are excited to share her message this week. Congratulations on 6 years and wishing Bridget's Brigade all our best!
I am a six year brain tumor survivor and so proud of my amazing friends for committing to the Linda W. Daniel Foundation and supporting me today and for the last six years. On April 12th, 2012 I had my first grand mal seizure while on a work trip, and that afternoon I woke up in the hospital. Hours later, as my family flew and drove to be with me, I was told I had a mass in my brain. It’s hard to believe what’s happened over the last six years - moments (some of which were really long moments) of disbelief, sadness, frustration and then ultimately immeasurable gratitude and the feeling of pure luck for being alive and healthy. Like other cancers, brain tumors vary in prognosis and I’m fortunate to have a less aggressive tumor that positively responded to treatment.
Fitness and diet were two factors that immediately became increasingly important to me after my diagnosis, and I truly believe it influenced how I have tolerated multiple years of treatment and the deficits one experiences with a brain tumor. It was just three days after my surgery that I walked a 5k for the National Brain Tumor Society.
Thank you to my best buddies and the Linda W. Daniel Foundation for establishing this inspiring organization and movement. #Keepfighting
Learn more about Bridget's Brigade and the Race for Hope on Sunday May 6th in Washington D.C.
Special thank you to Caragh Lengle, Jessie Henry, Kylie McNamara, Allison Linden & Aubrey Smith for generously sponsoring this week!
Being a brain cancer survivor (5 years!) has changed my definition of gratitude, fortune, love and how to LIVE. I’ve learned that if you want something – an experience, new challenge, family, a new career – you shouldn’t wait for it. If you can do it today, don’t wait! I’ve also learned that sometimes you have to live for two; if you’ve lost someone to cancer I encourage you to work twice as hard to love, enjoy and enrich your life because someone else didn’t have the chance.
Below is a photo of me with my husband, Patrick, after a three day hike of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Just six days after my final chemo treatment I culminated my journey by reaching the highest point above Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu. Sometimes you have to push yourself to reach that final peak to really LIVE! Don’t wait. Get after LIFE! Thank you to the Linda W. Daniel Foundation and Caragh and Chris Lengle for allowing me to be part of #MoveMeMonday!
Move Me Monday Storyteller, Bridget McCall, April 2016 -
I grew up enjoying athletics, starting with youth soccer, swim team and learning to throw a baseball with my dad. I enjoyed 12 seasons of high school sports and relished the 4 years I spent playing college field hockey. Through all those years, I never needed stitches, broke a bone or suffered anything that kept me off the field. So, the day I woke up in a hospital and learned I had a brain tumor I couldn’t believe it. I underwent two brain surgeries, but 4 days after my second surgery and only 2 days after being discharged from the hospital, I walked my first Race for Hope 5k. As of last week, I’m a 4 year brain cancer survivor and continue to focus on the power of fitness - I live every day with gratitude, gym time on my schedule and often with a green shake in my hand.
