Brain Cancer Awareness

Robert Mohney, my grandpa, is one of the most amazing men I have ever met. He’s one of those people who has truly done it all. In his life he has been a principal, a veteran, visited every president’s home, raised a child (my dad, Mark), scored a hole-in-one at a Florida golf course and has been married to his best friend for 61 years and counting.

On February 14, 2015, the kindest soul I know was diagnosed with brain cancer. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, 70,000 people will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year and 700,000 are living with a brain tumor in the United States. I never imagined that my grandpa would be part of this statistic. As far as I knew, he was completely healthy. He attended as many of my college basketball games as he could, made it to church every Sunday and golfed as often as he could. I want to say that this awful disease has not changed him, but sadly it has. However, he is still the heartwarming, funny and charming man I always have known.

With my dad being an only child, the diagnosis has been extremely hard on my family. My grandpa was moved to a nursing home close to my parents and my grandmother. Although my grandfather was given seven months to live, he is still trying to live life to the fullest. He has many friends in his new housing arrangement and they adore his company. He is constantly keeping the staff laughing and has even given them each a nickname.

While his mind is boggled at the moment, my grandpa’s memory is sharper than ever. He still remembers countless numbers of his childhood stories, birthdays, pets’ names and most importantly, his love for golf.

My grandfather could have called it quits many months ago, but he chooses to keep smiling and reminding his family of the wonderful life he has given us.

May is brain tumor awareness month, but I believe we always should be raising awareness of this disease that is becoming more common. Having my grandfather still with us is such blessing and I personally want to send prayers to all the other people affected by this disease. Never stop fighting.