Rewired Minds

Deandra Mayer had been living with migraines since she was 13, never imagining they were connected to something growing in her brain. A job in the medical field led her to a doctor who ordered an MRI. What followed was a five year gap, a lost referral, and a diagnosis that would change everything at 28 years old. When the first neurosurgeon told her she had 5-8 years to live, it was her mother who...

Ryan Neal was five years old when a family dog named Casey pawed him awake in the middle of the night and that moment set off a chain of events that would define the next 30 years of his life. What followed was a misdiagnosis, a pioneering surgeon, and a near-miraculous shift from a malignant astrocytoma to a non-malignant DNET overnight. But surviving wasn't the end of Ryan's story, it was just t...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Kim Lachut delves into the emotional and psychological challenges she faced as she watched her father decline due to a glioblastoma diagnosis and treatment. Our conversation highlights the unexpected behaviors that arise, the frustration of navigating medical advice, and the profound impact on family dynamics. Kim also vulnerably shares about her experience with d...

Cindy Eich, board chair of the Kendall Nicole Eich Foundation, shares about the foundation's origins, the lessons learned from Kendall's journey with glioblastoma, and the importance of providing emotional and financial support to brain cancer patients. They discuss the challenges of building a foundation while grieving, the significance of community, and the future aspirations of the foundation t...

In this episode, Theresa Harju, spouse of brain tumor survivor Alec Harju, shares her unique perspective as a caregiver. She discusses the challenges and emotional toll of navigating the medical journey alongside her husband. The conversation explores their life before the diagnosis, the impact of surgery and recovery, and the complexities of managing caregiving responsibilities while raising a yo...

Alec Harju shares his personal journey of recovery following surgery, discussing the challenges he faced and the impact on his family, particularly his two young children. The conversation delves into the emotional and mental aspects of healing, highlighting the importance of family support during difficult times. Tumor Type : Ganglioma Survivor Current Stage : Survivorship Resources Check out a l...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman speaks with Nola Hynes, a brain tumor survivor who shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery. Nola discusses her initial optimism upon being diagnosed with a meningioma, the challenges she faced during treatment, and the impact on her family life. She reflects on the importance of communication with her children, the struggles of dealing with cogni...

Mike Hawkins was diagnosed with a benign pituitary adenoma in 2009 after a routine eye appointment led to a same-day MRI and a life-changing weekend of waiting and uncertainty. What followed was a 17-year journey through four surgeries, two rounds of radiation, a stretch of 13 years thinking he was in the clear, and a gutting recurrence that brought everything flooding back. Now preparing for his...

The conversation revolves around Melissa Schladt's experience with her partner Greg's diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. It details the shocking moment of diagnosis and the emotional turmoil that followed, highlighting the stark contrast between their previous life and the sudden health crisis they faced. Greg was diagnosed back in May of 2023 with glioblastoma. Gliobla...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, host Bri Salsman speaks with Caroline Lenher, who shares her unique perspective as a daughter of a long-term brain tumor survivor. Caroline discusses her father's journey with GBM, the challenges they faced, and the importance of advocacy and community support. The conversation delves into the emotional aspects of navigating a cancer diagnosis, the treatment proce...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman interviews Colleen, a brain tumor survivor who shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery. Colleen reflects on her life before her diagnosis, the symptoms that led to her being diagnosed with medulloblastoma at age 12, and the challenges she faced during treatment. She discusses the importance of community support, her experiences navigating adolesc...

In this episode, Bri Salsman interviews Catt, the wife of Clifton, a brain tumor survivor. Catt shares her experiences as a caregiver, the challenges they faced before and after Clifton's diagnosis, and how their family dynamics have evolved. The conversation delves into the hectic lifestyle they led prior to the diagnosis, the impact of Clifton's health on their family, and the lessons learned ab...

In this episode, Clifton Wolfe shares his journey as a brain tumor survivor, detailing his life before diagnosis, the symptoms he experienced, and the emotional impact of receiving the news. He discusses the challenges of surgery and recovery, the struggle of returning to work, and the effects on his relationships. Clifton reflects on how this experience has reshaped his perspective on life, empha...

In this episode, Bri Salsman speaks with Dr. Helen Bulbeck and Jodie Eveleigh from Brainstrust, a UK-based organization dedicated to supporting those affected by brain tumors. They discuss the origin of Brainstrust, which was founded out of personal experiences, and the unique coaching approach they take to provide support. The conversation highlights the importance of personal connections, the di...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman speaks with Samantha, a brain tumor survivor who shares her nearly decade-long journey with a meningioma diagnosis. Samantha discusses her initial reactions to the diagnosis, the impact on her family dynamics, and the emotional challenges she faced during recovery. She emphasizes the importance of open communication, the long-term effects of her experi...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, host Bri Salsman speaks with Jen Chang, a 20-year survivor of a rare brain tumor known as central neurocytoma. Jen shares her journey from the onset of symptoms during her teenage years to receiving her diagnosis and navigating treatment. She reflects on the challenges of survivor's guilt, the importance of community support, and how her experience has shaped her...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman speaks with Beth, a caregiver for her son diagnosed with an astrocytoma. They discuss the emotional journey of caregiving, the importance of living in the moment, and the challenges of navigating relationships during a health crisis. Beth shares her experiences of coping with uncertainty, finding support in her community, and the personal growth that h...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman speaks with Laura Jaros and Dr. Amy Heimberger from the Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute. They discuss the unique, multidisciplinary approach to brain tumor care, the evolution of treatment options, and the exciting research being conducted at the institute. The conversation highlights the importance of teamwork in patient care, inno...

In this episode, Bri Salsman shares her personal journey as a brain tumor survivor and life coach. She reflects on her experiences before and after her diagnosis, the challenges she faced in the medical system, and the importance of community support. Bri discusses her journey of self-discovery, health, and resilience, emphasizing the power of sharing stories and connecting with others who underst...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman speaks with Sarah Bare, a brain tumor survivor, about her journey with astroblastoma. Sarah shares her experiences before and after her diagnosis, the challenges of navigating the medical system, and the emotional impact of living with a brain tumor. She discusses her decision to take a watch-and-wait approach to treatment, the importance of self-disco...

In this episode of Rewired Minds, Bri Salsman speaks with Brian Aurich, a glioblastoma survivor, about his recent diagnosis and the journey that followed. Brian shares his experiences from the initial symptoms and diagnosis to the emotional and psychological impacts of living with cancer. He discusses the importance of support systems, the unexpected closeness it has brought to his family, and how...

In this episode, Kelsey Burcombe shares her journey as a brain tumor survivor, detailing her diagnosis, surgery, and the emotional challenges that followed. She discusses the symptoms that led to her diagnosis, the shock of receiving the news, and the isolation she felt post-surgery. Kelsey emphasizes the importance of support systems, coping strategies, and the need for open conversations about m...

Rewired Minds brings you powerful, real stories from those affected by brain tumors. Listen to voices in the brain tumor community as they share their raw, inspiring experiences navigating life before diagnosis, through the pivotal moment everything changed, to the reality that follows. Connect with the human side of brain tumors through understanding, hope, and action as we transform awareness in...