The uninvited guest

Posted by Damon Schreiber (Toronto, Canada) on 15 November 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Scary stuff, kiddies! ten years ago (and a few days - I forgot the anniversary) I had a brain tumour, an acoustic neuroma, surgically removed. You can see it in the CT scan as a grey cloudy mass just near my right eye (left on your monitor). Actually it was attached to my auditory nerve.

I'll tell you, it's no fun having surgery, but that was ten years ago, and I'm happy to say that the uninvited guest appears to be gone for good. This photo is a definite departure, but it's just here to commemorate a bump in the road that has thankfully been passed.

This image consists of the CT scan overlaid with my face also scanned on my scanner. Believe me, you do not want to see the scan of my face in its entirety. Scanners are not recommended for portraiture.

Tomorrow, something more fun, I promise!

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Comments (18)

Organik from Australia

Sorry to read you went through this Damon and it is good that it appears to be gone in it's entirety. It is excellent to read you're doing OK. :)

What a unique and creative image you've produced. Excellent job!

15 Nov 2007 5:16am

@Organik: Thanks, Organik! Having experienced this unpleasant taste of hospital life, I empathise with your son's and your ordeals.

Daniel from Olympia, United States

yikes!!!

15 Nov 2007 6:08am

@Daniel: yikes indeed!

Ian Bramham from Manchester, United Kingdom

You must have been very young when this struck.

After 10 years do you still treat every day like it is the first day of the rest of your life?

(PS - What a moving, incredible photo with that juxtaposition of your living healthy face onto the CT scan of your skull with its tumour)

15 Nov 2007 8:53am

@Ian Bramham: Thanks, Ian! Either I was very young then or I'm very old now :)
To answer your question, no, I'm back to wasting each day as completely as possible - hence the photoblog.

Daroru from Amagasaki, Japan

Good grief Damon! Glad you got through that okay. Good reminder to help keep things in life in perspective.

15 Nov 2007 10:13am

@Daroru: Good grief - I like that; very Charlie Brown. Yes, I think it's best never to take one's day-to-day problems too seriously: easy advice to give, but hard to put into practice. Thanks, Daroru!

Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium

wow - this is a telling an image and story
glad to hear that you've had 10 years of tumor free living!

15 Nov 2007 10:58am

@Jason Kravitz: Many thanks, Jason!

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Spooky stuff! Glad your OK!

15 Nov 2007 11:28am

@Craiger: Thanks, Craiger!! I should have posted it on Hallowe'en...

JS from Brookline, United States

I also have been remembering - including your essay, full of dark humour, in the wake of the experience. You did a lot for other people going through the same trials. The heart's fullness stops the tongue ...

15 Nov 2007 1:56pm

@JS: Ah, good times!

alla from Toronto, Canada

Whoa, you are trooper! I can’t even imagine what you went through.
What was the essay about? Something you can share?

15 Nov 2007 2:11pm

@alla: Thanks, Alla! The essay JS was referring to was actually a whole web site I made (way back in 1997 when the Internet was young). I believe you'll be able to find it here.

Reza from Montreal, Canada

Surgeries never been fun and I am so happy for you for passing it. Hope it's never gonna come back.

15 Nov 2007 5:57pm

@Reza: Thanks Reza, I wouldn't wish it on anyone, though I should note that surgery is better than no treatment!

jadedways from Galway, Ireland

Good to hear that's all behind you, Damon - inspired/inspiring image!

15 Nov 2007 8:31pm

@jadedways: Thanks, John!

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

Wow!! Firstly, congrats on the 10 years of no new visitors in your head (the voices are still there for me LOL). Secondly, THAT is a way cool image!! Great way to layer. You are so creative, Damon!! And thirdly, my sister just had a tumor removed from her pituatary. So I really get that scary thing. She's doing better now... ;-)

15 Nov 2007 8:40pm

@amy: Many thanks, Amy! And cheers to your sister! Also, cherish those voices ;-)

Alfredo J. Martiz J. from Tokyo, Japan

I could have never imagined you had a tumour, when I saw this photo and read your comment I was surprised, I am happy to know that everything is excellent now. Cheers from Tokyo my friend, enjoy life as much as you can, =)

15 Nov 2007 10:40pm

@Alfredo J. Martiz J.: A little rain falls into every life, I think. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Thanks, Alfredo!

Barbara from Florida, United States

Congratulations on your anniversary. It is a remarkable image and story.

16 Nov 2007 3:58am

Nick Passantino from Bronx, United States

powerful shot damon. couldnt imagine going through what you did.

16 Nov 2007 6:40am

Lucca from Cologne, Germany

I was frightened while reading the lines, and I'm happy you are fine, Damon. It must have been a very hard time you have gone through. Did you become stronger or more anxious after it? Enjoy your time, it's a gift.

16 Nov 2007 9:18am

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Oh Gosh, I'm so sorry that you went through that, but very happy that it's all gone...Totally awesome pic...thanks for sharing, it takes a lot of courage to do that!

17 Nov 2007 4:46am

KA-HUA from KOBE, Japan

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20 Nov 2007 5:37pm

CATCHLIGHT from Reading, United Kingdom

This Aminus3 thing is just so wonderful. There you are with your brain on the web, and we are sitting here going bloomin' 'eck some bloke has put a shot of his brain up for comments..i have to say i am just lost for words....Thank you for your bravery.

9 Jul 2008 11:18pm

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