IamA 23 year old who has been battling grade 4 brain cancer since 2012; AMA!

Dude, where are located? I was diagnosed with an inoperable Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma in 2015 at the age of 20. If you ever feel like talking with someone your own age that is going through a similar situation with brain cancer, please do not hessite to get in touch!! Much love brother

Thanks so much. One tumor was in the middle of the brain but shifted to the right. It wasn't operated on but it's gone! Tumor #2 is on the right side of the brain, about 1-2 inches above the temple but deeper in the brain. Tumor #3 is on the left side and like tumor #2 but on the left.

What symptoms led you to go to the doctor when you got diagnosed?

I knew I had two tumors in my brain two years before I had surgery, but the doctors hadn't been worried until 2012 when they started to grow. Most of my symptoms were migraines, loss of feeling in my left side of my body, seizures, and mental fogginess.

How did you find out that you had those tumors in the first place though? Was it routine or did something happen to make you go have it checked out?

I kept failing a peripherals test (I don't have left peripheral vision) So, I was to get an MRI. Then, 2 tumors were found.

Wow... That's a lot to deal with so young.

My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer... I just wanna know what keeps you going every day? I'm worried for her and I want to do my best to keep her happy but I have no idea what to even say at this point.

The best thing to do is just keep her happy however you can. I see happiness as a medicine. It works for me and I believe it can work for her as well. Be empathetic, but don't treat her any differently. Make her smile and smile with her.

How can you be empathetic and not treat her differently?

I have my own ideas, but what's your side of things?

I don't believe it's true empathy if you do. I just wanted to point it out.

Side of things towards what exactly?

What do you do to keep a positive attitude?

Having faith helps me keep a positive attitude, along with having supportive family and friends. Also, I am a singer/songwriter and I find music to be therapeutic. I have written many songs about my journey. A few years ago, I established a nonprofit organization in order to give back what I can; this brings me great joy.

Are you a Christian?

Yes sir I am proud to be one.

Do you know about First Descents?

No I do not

I have two questions if you don't mind:

How has this battle impacted your perspective on life?

And

Ive heard stories about people being diagnosed that develop a bucket list mentality. Do you have any kind of bucket list or have you made certain activities/goals more of a priority in your life since being diagnosed?

Thank you so much for your time. Youre ability to continue the good fight is a testament to your inner strength and an inspiration to us all.

This battle has been a pure blessing in my life. It's shaped me into the man I am and I'm very grateful for this battle.

Funny thing, in 2012 I was sentenced 2 days before surgery to live then after surgery I was sentenced 2 years. I'm still alive today! What a blessing. I still don't really have a bucket list mentality. Nothing wrong with it, I just sometimes go with the flow.

Your bravery and willpower inspire me. What's your favorite form of creative expression?

Thank you very very much. I'm a musician, so writing music and recording it is my favorite.

I love music too. I've played the saxophone and took lessons for the electric guitar, and enjoy singing.

Do you like soul? Who's your favorite musical artist?

I love ALL genres of music! My favorite group is actually Mumford & Sons.

Please share it my dude. Love to hear it!

Here are some links to my music vids on youtube. I hope you enjoy;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7jnli8zOlA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpvkwL2qjVg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etiVI95FM4Y

When you had brain surgery, did all the tumors get removed?

No. Only part of one tumor was removed, and the rest of that tumor ended up being malignant. The second tumor was inoperable because of its location. At the time, I didn't have my third tumor.

This is a really weird question, but what did the craniotomy feel like afterwards?

I had brain surgery in 2012, so my head was sore then. Nowadays it's minor headaches.

Were you awake when you were being operated on? And could you feel it happening?

I'm asking because in movies when people get brain surgery they're awake and talking normally and I've always thought that was crazy. Just wanna find out if it's like that in real life or not!

Haha that's because with some brain surgeries you do stay awake but I was actually asleep for mine. So, I didn't feel a thing. They gave me anesthesia.

As someone with brain issues (an injury, not on your scale) I'm keen to find out, how much have you found yourself pondering where your brain ends and 'you' begin, and how united or separate they are to you? I know before my injury I would've just said that my brain is basically me as a person, but with it failing in ways there are times where that really doesn't seem the case anymore.

Best of luck with the fight :)

I feel that the body houses the spirit temporarily. I still feel close with my body because I'm living. Even though that I have a lot of faith in God, so I am closer with spirit.

Do you ever feel like just giving up? I can't even imagine doing 53 sessions of radiation never mind everything else you've been through. It's seems like it would be kind of hard not to be fatalistic in a situation like yours. Do you ever think one day you'll be in remission? Sry if the question is kind of personal.

I did receive remission once but another tumor showed. So we have yet to see where to go. One of my montras is,"Never give up" The fight may be hard, but who said the crown goes to the winner?

do you post on r/braincancer?

No I haven't but I want to right now.

Where are you now in your diagnosis? Has your condition improved since?

Remission was declared in January of this year, but another tumor was found later on. My doctors have found a new treatment for me to start, but I am postponing the start date by one month to see if the MRI results improve.

Do you find that you're less bothered by the little things in life now?

In a way yes but I'm more grateful towards the little things now.

Are you optimistic for a full recovery?

Yes. Patience though.

Absolutely.

I expect an AMA in a few years time! Good luck bro.

Thank you very much my friend :)

what is the worst part of chemotherapy?

how did most of your friend/family react?

Just the nausea chemo causes.

A lot of them (I think all) were in total shock. They were also in shock how positive I reacted to the news.

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30 minutes before I took chemo, I would take another pill to help me with my nausea. I follow a vegan diet, so I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Is there something that presses you on to keep living? 5 years sounds like a really long time to have cancer, I don't know about the cancer that you have, is it debilitating and you can't do a lot? Are you missing out on going to school or anything? I read you do music.

I did have to stop school but I know that everything is for a reason. Because I know that, I'm never really worried. All this time I've been undertaking this battle has been great and I'm grateful.

What is your favorite activity and has that changed since your road to recovery??

It's writing music and it never changed before and after the journey began.

How are you able to pay the costs? I imagine the cost

Yes it's very expensive. I live with my parents and they pay the medical bills. It's hard to afford it all, so if you're willing to contribute please visit;

https://www.gofundme.com/prayers4richie

Thanks :)

From what I can tell, you seem to be a pretty happy/optimistic guy. Were you always like this or was it something you had to work up to? Is it hard to stay positive?

Thank you! This is how I've always been. If you get bad news you just have to keep it all moving. I just like to add a smile because it's fun being happy to me!

do you post on /braincancer ?

No, I never have.

Have you had any particularly stand-out good (or bad) experiences with your medical care?

Due to the tumor locations and movement, I lost a lot of mobility in my left side. This makes it hard to; walk, eat, brush teeth, get ready for the day, live life, play instruments, etc. etc. So, I'll usually have one to assist me through life.

What is the best or most memorable thing that a nurse ever did for you?

The most memorable thing is from the surgery team, when I asked the doctor to take a picture of my tumor. Instead, they filmed the surgery!

Would it be weird for me to ask you to post the video?

(I do apologize if this makes you uncomfortable)

Don't worry it doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. I just don't know where the video is at the moment. I'm sorry.

What is your fighting force to stay positive every day? Much love and support!

God honestly helps me stay positive. Through this entire journey it was Him that kept me going. In 2012 the moment I learned I was diagnosed with brain cancer, the first thing I did was thank God because I knew this would be for a reason.

This very comment above me gives me so many more reasons why I should thank god daily....what amazing faith you have..

Thank you so much and yes! God deserves thanks to EVERYTHING!!!

Do you believe in God?

Yes I do. Very much

I'm a vegan too! I always encourage all my friends who have any health issues to eat more vegan meals. I really believe what you eat can have a significant impact on your illnesses. What's your favorite vegan meal?

That's awesome! So, don't hate me because I'm a not a full time vegan but I am full time vegetarian.

My favorite meal is actually yellow rice with pineapple, white onions, cilantro, Hawaiian seasoning sauce, topped with avocados that have chili powder sprinkled on top :)

Ive heard of someone becoming severely mentally disabled after havint ear cancer due to the radiation

This sounds funny asking, but how are you not severly mentally handicapped?

Well, a lot of people have different characteristics like; tolerance to treatments, age, immune system strength, and most of all POSITIVITY! The tumors did cause me to be physically disabled in the left side but I'm not mentally disabled.

Have you seriously researched cannabis oil?

People have talked to me a lot about it and I've heard of it. The wonders it all can do are phenomenal!

What's something you hope to do before you die?

I'm not really much of a bucket lister but I do hope to get married, have kids, and follow my music dream.

I noticed my comment got a load of down votes, I didn't mean anything bad by it or to offend you, sorry.

No don't worry bud. I'm not offended or anything. No need to apologize but thank you for taking the time to do so.

Have you tried the restricted ketogenic diet? A young male patient in the UK refused chemo and used this diet to shrink his tumor until it was operable.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3691808/Quitting-carbs-saved-life-Cancer-victim-given-months-live-refuses-chemo-claims-diet-meat-dairy-s-alive-two-years-later.html

I've actually heard of this diet before. I never tried it though. What it has done sounds amazing.

I noticed on your social media account that you're vegan, obviously consult your doctor before trying, but it is possible to be on a vegan keto diet. There's even a reddit community for it! https://www.reddit.com/r/veganketo/

Also since it seems veganism is important to you, what made you become vegan?

I'm a not a full time vegan but I am full time vegetarian. I just follow a vegan diet mainly for fun and for health benefits.

I have looked into that diet before and my doctors already barely approve my diet. So, I doubt they'd allow it but thank you oh so much.