I’ve got a tumor

Health update.

Spoiler Alert: It's pretty serious.

Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation, or aFib. You may know this from your grandpa having it. I'm 41.

This was hard to handle, but I thought it explained a lot about my energy struggles, overwhelm, and some about executive function challenges.

I've been seeing doctors about it since March, creating a plan for treatment and taking active steps.

Then, on June 6th, I had a seizure while working out at the Y. I did a heavy set, stood up, and my face started to feel like it was collapsing, I got embarrassed, tried to fight it, and woke up on a stretcher, giving my coworker a hang loose sign. (Apparently I was quite a handful in the time I don't remember.)

I spent the day in the ER. I got a CT scan, an MRI. Listened to Fleetwood Mac in the machine. Peed out a liter. Spent enough time in the hospital to drift through Thor and Doctor Strange sequels. I miss FX.

And I saw a lady working there who was at the comedy show I was on the night before. "Have too much fun at the show last night?" I wish.

After what seemed like too long in the ER, they told me I had a mass on my brain, but that it hadn't "grown much since 2020."

Wait, what.

This was all news to me.

The first neurosurgeon I saw the next week said it was a "low-grade glioma" on my right frontal lobe and didn't seem too worried, but suggested brain surgery. A couple times, he said the surgery didn't need to be done "today or tomorrow".

He suggested I get out of aFib before doing brain surgery. Believe me, I've been trying to get out of it.

I scheduled a heart procedure, cardioversion, where they shock my heart back into a normal rhythm, for July 18th.

The second neurosurgeon I saw seemed to take it more seriously. She wasn't willing to classify it as low-grade, but rather as likely grade 2 or 3. She complimented my hair. Seemed pleased that I hadn't lost any strength. She answered all our questions thoroughly. She asked about my time in Korea, life and personality changes, comedy. Her PA laughed at my jokes, asked about my podcast. Both of them were serious, human, and helpful.

After learning more about my aFib and earlier scan, she wanted to do the surgery as soon as we could, get off of blood thinners, and get a functional MRI in the meantime.

She said let's aim for an August brain surgery.

Since it's on the right frontal lobe, it won't affect language or personality. She said she hoped it wasn't touching my motor function strip.

She came highly recommended. I'm glad I saw her.

So that's kinda where we are.

I have a brain tumor. I have an irregular heartbeat. I have a lot more information about my health today than I had a couple weeks ago.

I'm worried, frustrated, but taking action and staying positive when I can. I'm talking about it, making lifestyle adjustments, trying to do my best.

I wish I could just do everything tomorrow. The recovery is at least three months.

Heart procedure in July. Brain surgery in August. Sounds like a summer of fun.

What a way to turn 42.

You can ask me questions. I might not answer or have answers, because it's a lot. If I make jokes, feel free to laugh. Or cry. I've done plenty of both.

If you want to support, I accept hugs, high fives, nudes, and venmo (@rudytyburczy). Positive vibes are also welcome.

Movies, meals, one-on-ones. Patience.

Also, listen to your body. Go get regular checkups. Hydrate. Sleep. Take care of hygiene. Move around. You probably don't have a tumor. But your health is a gift. My health is a gift.

I'm still working, still training, but just adjusting my approach. If you want some good workouts, let me know.

Oh, and I'm talking about this on my podcast, Jokes and the Gym. Listen if you want to follow my story. Episodes 77 and 78 cover this stuff more extensively. I'm proud to share. I'm proud to have made it for 78 straight weeks. All the time with a big ass tumor in my head. It's been there the whole time.

I love you.