Reaching Milestones during a Cancer Journey
- Johnny Ruffo was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to the doctors with a migraine. Signs of brain tumors, in general,can include headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, balance problems, personality or behavior changes, drowsiness or even coma and seizures.
- He’s since undergone various treatments, but his cancer is something he’ll have to live with instead of technically cure.
- Thankfully, Ruffo has a great support system and outlook on life. He recently shared a photo for his birthday saying he was “grateful for another lap around the sun.”
- Reaching milestones during or after a cancer battle is huge. And these events may mean even more than they did before a cancer journey, so it's important to take them in and celebrate everything you've overcome.
Ruffo shot to fame after placing third on the Australian “X Factor” in 2011. From there, the talented singer dipped his toes in the world of acting, and even became a soap star for his role as Chris Harrington in the Aussie show “Home And Away.”
Read More“35 and sure feeling it!!! 🤣😜👴🻠Grateful for another lap around the sun, Thanks to everyone for all of the birthday wishes,” he captioned a picture of him smiling over a birthday treat.View this post on Instagram
Johnny Ruffo’s Cancer Battle
Johnny Ruffo was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to the doctors with a migraine.
“I felt like I was just kicking goals and I couldn’t miss. And then all of a sudden I just hit a brick wall and everything just came crashing down on me and the whole world came crumbling down,” he said of his diagnosis. “But I am so grateful I’ve had this incredible support network around.
“Tahnee [his girlfriend] being one of them. Those people around you are the ones that keep you going.”
It was reported that he was cancer-free in 2019, but Ruffo shared that his cancer had returned in 2020. He’s undergone various treatments over the years, including surgery and chemotherapy, and he’s been happy to share updates along the way.
View this post on Instagram
“Back in my favourite chair.. 🤪🧠#ihatethischair #f***cancer” he wrote about a week ago under a photo of him at the hospital.
Even though his cancer doesn’t technically have a cure, Ruffo has no intention giving up.
"I understand that the cancer is terminal, but you know, I'm going to do everything I can and I am currently doing everything I can to kick its a***," he said.
Understanding Brain Cancer
To understand brain cancer, it is important to learn about brain tumors. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors account for 85 to 90 percent of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, acts as the main "processing center" for the nervous system as a whole, according to the American Cancer Society. Normal function of the brain and spinal cord can become difficult if there's a tumor present that puts pressure on or spreads into nearby normal tissue.
Some types of brain and spinal cord tumors are more likely to spread into nearby parts of the brain or spinal cord than others. Slow-growing tumors may be considered benign, but even these tumors can cause serious problems. When the tumors are considered malignant, that’s when you have brain cancer.
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Symptoms of brain tumors are often caused by increased pressure in the skull. This pressure can be caused by tumor growth, swelling in the brain or blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), according to the American Cancer Society.
Remember that brain tumor symptoms are not exclusive to brain tumors. Even still, you should always contact your doctor if anything seems off. General signs and symptoms may include the following:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Balance problems
- Personality or behavior changes
- Seizures
- Drowsiness or even coma
In addition, MD Anderson Cancer Center says changes in the ability to smell can be a sign of brain tumors, and, more specifically, "strange smells" can be a symptom of seizures which can result from brain tumors.
Reaching Milestones as a Cancer Survivor
Reaching milestones during or after a cancer battle is certainly something to celebrate. These events like reaching another birthday, observing another holiday or enjoying an anniversary may mean even more than they did before your cancer journey. So, you deserve to soak them up and commemorate all the things you’ve overcome.
I'm Able to Be Here For More Milestones One Cancer Survivor's Incredible Story
Blood cancer warrior Chrissy Degennaro is determined to keep enjoying the precious milestones of life. She was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma over a decade ago when she was just 36 with a 2-year-old son.
Despite feeling disheartened by her diagnosis, Degennaro has never given up. Thanks to 27 rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, a CAR-T cell trial and two CAR-T cell transplants over the course of many years, she's able to keep making memories with her family.
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"You know, I do live one day at a time," Chrissy said in a previous conversation with SurvivorNet. "Now, maybe I can go a week, a month, but things are looking pretty good.
“I'm able to be here for more milestones for my son, for more holidays, more birthdays. I do feel like I have had another chance at life."
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