For nearly 10 years, I have been treating a vibrant young woman who had suddenly experienced slurred speech and balance issues. We learned she had a vertebral artery dissection—a small tear in her cerebral vessel wall—and had strokes in her brainstem as a result. Throughout her months and years of recovery, therapy, and treatment, I marveled at her sunny personality, her bright spirit, and her ability to forge ahead through difficult times. Watching her navigate life with gusto has been incredible. She was always trying new things, including aerial gymnastics, barre classes, and most recently, motherhood. It made me wonder whether she was fearless not despite her stroke but rather because of it—that because she had been forced to face the worst, she had decided to fight back with all she had.
So much of neurologic disease is wrapped up in fear. An element of uncertainty permeates nearly everything from diagnosis to treatment, to family issues and social interactions, to the inevitable effects of aging and environment. It is a humbling realization that despite our best efforts, we can only do so much—and I write this statement as not only a physician but also a daughter, wife, mother, and patient. However, I posit that how we deal with that fear and unease is what matters most. Our actions and our mindset can make all the difference.
One such person who took fear and transformed it into constructive action is featured in our cover story, “Whitney Cummings Reveals How Migraines Changed Her Life and Made Her Stronger”. Her sharp, honest brand of humor has always rung true. She speaks frankly about how the fear of having a migraine attack would itself trigger one. Being proactive instead of reactive turned out to be the key to getting her headaches under control. By identifying triggers and changing her lifestyle to prioritize her health, Cummings was able to powerfully reorient how migraines affected her daily life.
To choose to live life with open eyes and a clear understanding of what the future holds is both deliberate and compelling. Our story about sibling caregivers, “Sibling Caregivers are Supporting Brothers and Sisters Through Chronic Conditions,” struck a chord here. Much of what goes on between brothers and sisters when one is ill and may need care requires stark emotional honesty: the ability to acknowledge limitations and recognize boundaries. Looking at what lies ahead and feeling supported in planning can help alleviate the fear that can accompany future responsibility.
Kate Harmon's essay about her father, Bob, also highlights the approach of tackling fear head-on (“Carrying on a Father's Legacy”). When faced with a Parkinson's disease diagnosis, Bob Harmon channeled his energy into connecting with others meaningfully, openly sharing his experience and struggles. In doing so, he left behind a legacy of love and a community he helped build. His actions serve as an example of how to make the best of a tough situation with grace and empathy.
As students head to college for the fall semester, we bring you “What Parents and College Students Need to Know About Meningitis Vaccines,” a story about meningitis, a highly contagious neurologic disease that often targets youth and people with weakened immune systems. Meningitis can cause stroke, organ damage, and even death within hours to days, and survivors may face long-term neurologic effects. We hear not only about the vaccines that can protect against bacterial meningitis but also the stories of parents who, after losing children to this devastating disease, went on to educate others about meningitis prevention, transforming their grief into selfless action.
We at Brain & Life are in this with you for the long haul. Brain health has never been more important, to you or to us. We are committed to continuing to educate you, support you, and find ways to talk about difficult things. We also choose, as do many of you, to continue to look for the bright light and the window when there are no doors. How have you tackled your fears head-on? Have you looked upon a difficult future and found something that helped? Was it a friend, a strategy, a tool, a mantra? I want to know. Email me at BrainandLife@wolterskluwer.com.
Sarah Song, MD, MPH, FAAN, Editor in Chief
