They didn't confirm a brain tumor, he went through surgery awake and started again: "We needed certainty"

At 29 years old, Agustín Borda was rebuilding his life after overcoming depression. He pursued a degree in Psychology and supported himself through various jobs, including cleaning wood floors, walking dogs, selling kitchenware and baked goods, painting, mowing lawns, and working at an auto parts store. Amid this fast-paced routine, he found solace in physical exercise, music, and writing, a passion that would eventually become his true vocation. However, subtle yet troubling signs began to emerge: difficulty finding words, brief moments of disorientation in familiar places, fainting spells, unexpected fevers, and severe headaches. These were accompanied by episodes of slurred speech and heightened sensitivity to light, along with persistent muscle contractions. Initially, Agustín attributed these symptoms to stress or fatigue, never imagining they stemmed from within. The turning point came when Agustín suffered a prolonged seizure lasting nearly 50 minutes. His family rushed him to the emergency room, where neurological tests and a CT scan revealed a grim diagnosis: an aggressive grade 3 oligodendroglioma, a type of malignant brain tumor. In Argentina, there is still no national registry specifically for tumors of the central nervous system, a gap that complicates early detection and treatment. Globally, primary brain tumors account for less than 2% of all cancers, classifying them as rare diseases. Yet their impact is profound, often leading to serious neurological complications due to the critical nature of the affected organ and the complexity of both diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Alejandra Álvarez Bernardez, a clinical oncologist specializing in central nervous system tumors, member of the Argentine Group for Research in Neuro-Oncology (GAINO), and coordinator of the Public Health System’s Neuro-Oncology Network, treated Agustín. She explained that brain tumors are often overlooked as initial suspicions because their symptoms can mimic other conditions. Persistent headaches, seizures, personality changes, language or strength impairments may initially be attributed to more common ailments. This lack of awareness among healthcare professionals contributes to delayed diagnoses. Additionally, access to specialized consultations and advanced imaging such as MRI is limited, further delaying timely intervention. Every delay represents a lost opportunity for earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment. For Agustín, the diagnosis marked a pivotal moment. Over the next six months, he underwent extensive testing, multiple MRIs, and comprehensive evaluations. The process was grueling, both physically and emotionally. Despite the challenges, Agustín remained determined. He described the need for certainty as a driving force behind his recovery. It was during this time that he discovered a renewed purpose, not just in surviving, but in reclaiming his life and pursuing his passion for writing. Writing became his means of expression, a way to make sense of his experience and find meaning amid uncertainty. Agustín's journey highlights the importance of early detection and specialized care for brain tumors. While the path to diagnosis and treatment is fraught with obstacles, his resilience underscores the potential for recovery and reinvention. As he continues to work toward publishing his first collection of poems and stories, his story serves as a testament to human endurance and the power of creative expression in times of adversity.