Brain Tumor and Tennis

[Shroud]

Well I had one. Was laying around in the hospital for a month. The Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists had me playing some form of racquet sport, whether it was real racquets hitting balloons, or racquets strung with string hitting lacrosse balls. Even got to serve with balls wrapped in velcro so they stuck on a board. It was great but left me thinking I would never play real tennis again. Pickle ball maybe.

Now being home for 2 weeks, I have a different view. My buddy took me to play yesterday. He had a hopper and fed me balls. Ugh, most were in the net with no power. Eventually I found the timing and was hitting the ball over the net and pretty good. We did some volleys and those were pretty good. Then we progressed to playing points. I was winning a decent amount off his serve! It was all coming back!! Sure laying in bed for a month took a big toll on the body (especially in a cold cold room), but man I can see making a comeback with some PT. Anyhow if you are in a similar situation just know the brain is amazing and can be retaught!! I am failing better

 

[LOBALOT]

Good luck @Shroud . I am very sorry to hear this and wish you the best in your recovery and return to tennis.

 

[NicoMK]

Wish you good luck and full recovery! Hope you will play good tennis again very soon!

 

[sureshs]

@Shroud Hope you have an amazing recovery.

How were you diagnosed? Did you have severe headaches or dizziness?

 

[happyandbob]

Good luck! Wishing you a quick and full recovery!

 

[LuckyR]

Well I had one. Was laying around in the hospital for a month. The Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists had me playing some form of racquet sport, whether it was real racquets hitting balloons, or racquets strung with string hitting lacrosse balls. Even got to serve with balls wrapped in velcro so they stuck on a board. It was great but left me thinking I would never play real tennis again. Pickle ball maybe.

Now being home for 2 weeks, I have a different view. My buddy took me to play yesterday. He had a hopper and fed me balls. Ugh, most were in the net with no power. Eventually I found the timing and was hitting the ball over the net and pretty good. We did some volleys and those were pretty good. Then we progressed to playing points. I was winning a decent amount off his serve! It was all coming back!! Sure laying in bed for a month took a big toll on the body (especially in a cold cold room), but man I can see making a comeback with some PT. Anyhow if you are in a similar situation just know the brain is amazing and can be retaught!! I am failing better

Did you have surgery or gamma knife?

 

[Shroud]

Thanks @LOBALOT @NicoMK @happyandbob and everyone else, thanks for the well wishes! @sureshs I was diagnosed when I went to the emergency room basically because I kept falling and couldn't get up. Those days are pretty much a blur to me. I was talking to @Papa Mango and was just fading on the phone iirc. Lack of energy was the main symptom and not being myself. Like being 1 hour and 1/2 late to a tennis lesson with the super hot d1 coach. @elkwood can fill in more of the gaps since he was there when I went to the emergency room and picked me up when I fell.

No headaches. Not really dizziness but it sounds like when I went to the er I must have been dizzy and falling. Prior, I recall my vision being weird. Like really reduced in scope and periphery being "black" in spots. I slept days away before I ended up in the er. I also stopped cooking and ordered food all the time and was just not myself.

Anyhow its good to be on the other side of it and hitting some tennis balls. The pros at the hospital and rehab center were first rate! And man my knee feels great!

 

[Shroud]

Did you have surgery or gamma knife?

I am guessing it was surgery. I have stitches that are dissolving and are almost gone. They said he did a great job. Sadly I am still weird...I asked him to scoop that part out....

 

[MaxTennis]

All the best @Shroud . Wishing you a swift recovery

 

[sureshs]

Thanks @LOBALOT @NicoMK @happyandbob and everyone else, thanks for the well wishes! @sureshs I was diagnosed when I went to the emergency room basically because I kept falling and couldn't get up. Those days are pretty much a blur to me. I was talking to @Papa Mango and was just fading on the phone iirc. Lack of energy was the main symptom and not being myself. Like being 1 hour and 1/2 late to a tennis lesson with the super hot d1 coach. @elkwood can fill in more of the gaps since he was there when I went to the emergency room and picked me up when I fell.

No headaches. Not really dizziness but it sounds like when I went to the er I must have been dizzy and falling. Prior, I recall my vision being weird. Like really reduced in scope and periphery being "black" in spots. I slept days away before I ended up in the er. I also stopped cooking and ordered food all the time and was just not myself.

Anyhow its good to be on the other side of it and hitting some tennis balls. The pros at the hospital and rehab center were first rate! And man my knee feels great!

It appears you had balance issues as well as change of personality. The latter is most difficult for other people because they would separate mind from body and think something is mentally wrong with you, while it is all just about the hardware.

 

[ByeByePoly]

@Shroud … holy crap brother. So … you are about six weeks post surgery and already hitting a tennis ball? Wow … I have heard plan on 3 months recovery for every month on your back in the hospital. Said another way … give yourself some time.

We will give you a recent brain surgery pass on mentioning pickleball. Heal quick … love ya man … I know what the best Shroud pt will be:

 

[onehandbh]

@Shroud
Hope the tumor was benign and have a speedy recovery. One of my friends had a tumor a a few years ago. Despite its large size, luckily it was benign and in a location where doctors could remove it.

 

[onehandbh]

It appears you had balance issues as well as change of personality. The latter is most difficult for other people because they would separate mind from body and think something is mentally wrong with you, while it is all just about the hardware.

If you see new threads started by @Shroud about the virtues of racquets using large, L7, triangle-shaped grips, do not be alarmed. He will probably go back to square grips and 100/15 lbs tensioned racquets again soon (main/cross).

 

[sureshs]

If you see new threads started by @Shroud about the virtues of racquets using large, L7, triangle-shaped grips, do not be alarmed. He will probably go back to square grips and 100/15 lbs tensioned racquets again soon (main/cross).

I was afraid that he would start using rackets which weigh a mere 13 ounces.

 

[happyandbob]

Thanks @LOBALOT @NicoMK @happyandbob and everyone else, thanks for the well wishes! @sureshs I was diagnosed when I went to the emergency room basically because I kept falling and couldn't get up. Those days are pretty much a blur to me. I was talking to @Papa Mango and was just fading on the phone iirc. Lack of energy was the main symptom and not being myself. Like being 1 hour and 1/2 late to a tennis lesson with the super hot d1 coach. @elkwood can fill in more of the gaps since he was there when I went to the emergency room and picked me up when I fell.

No headaches. Not really dizziness but it sounds like when I went to the er I must have been dizzy and falling. Prior, I recall my vision being weird. Like really reduced in scope and periphery being "black" in spots. I slept days away before I ended up in the er. I also stopped cooking and ordered food all the time and was just not myself.

Anyhow its good to be on the other side of it and hitting some tennis balls. The pros at the hospital and rehab center were first rate! And man my knee feels great!

What a story, sorry you had to go through that. That is just amazing that you're back hitting balls already. Thank goodness for modern medicine!

 

[mcs1970]

@Shroud Glad to hear that you are doing what you love to do. Best wishes.

 

[Papa Mango]

Well I had one. Was laying around in the hospital for a month. The Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists had me playing some form of racquet sport, whether it was real racquets hitting balloons, or racquets strung with string hitting lacrosse balls. Even got to serve with balls wrapped in velcro so they stuck on a board. It was great but left me thinking I would never play real tennis again. Pickle ball maybe.

Now being home for 2 weeks, I have a different view. My buddy took me to play yesterday. He had a hopper and fed me balls. Ugh, most were in the net with no power. Eventually I found the timing and was hitting the ball over the net and pretty good. We did some volleys and those were pretty good. Then we progressed to playing points. I was winning a decent amount off his serve! It was all coming back!! Sure laying in bed for a month took a big toll on the body (especially in a cold cold room), but man I can see making a comeback with some PT. Anyhow if you are in a similar situation just know the brain is amazing and can be retaught!! I am failing better

DUDE!!!! you are back. Had me shared sh*$7less that day.
Good to see you are back.
Now that the tumor is gone, can I interest you in some Prince phantom frames in 1/8 grip?

 

[sureshs]

Depression could be caused by a live worm living inside human brain

BBC News - Live worm found in Australian woman's brain in world first https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-66643241

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Azure]

@Shroud - sorry you had to go through this. More power to you for getting back to tennis and wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[Shroud]

@Shroud … holy crap brother. So … you are about six weeks post surgery and already hitting a tennis ball? Wow … I have heard plan on 3 months recovery for every month on your back in the hospital. Said another way … give yourself some time.

We will give you a recent brain surgery pass on mentioning pickleball. Heal quick … love ya man … I know what the best Shroud pt will be:

LOL. There was a part in PT where we would walk and she would throw a ball and when I caught it, I had to name an animal. Once I said "newt". She had never heard of that, but sure enough I was right and you know the scene I was thinking of:

Thanks for the wishes and pickleball pass.

 

[Shroud]

@Shroud
Hope the tumor was benign and have a speedy recovery. One of my friends had a tumor a a few years ago. Despite its large size, luckily it was benign and in a location where doctors could remove it.

If you see new threads started by @Shroud about the virtues of racquets using large, L7, triangle-shaped grips, do not be alarmed. He will probably go back to square grips and 100/15 lbs tensioned racquets again soon (main/cross).

Lol. They say these tumors can grow for years so maybe that is the cause of the lunacy? @travlerajm get a check up post haste.

It turns out it was benign and the are pretty sure its a type 2 Meningioma. Will be monitoring it to make sure it doesn't come back. Feeling lucky!

 

[Shroud]

@Shroud Glad to hear that you are doing what you love to do. Best wishes.

Thanks! I appreciate that. Its amazing how much tennis is in the brain. Should get some time this weekend. Maybe I will vid it.

 

[Shroud]

DUDE!!!! you are back. Had me shared sh*$7less that day.
Good to see you are back.
Now that the tumor is gone, can I interest you in some Prince phantom frames in 1/8 grip?

LMAO!!! I just had a tumor removed, I am not CRAZY!!

Thanks for getting in touch with @elkwood He helped me get to the hospital. That was quick thinking on your part. And weird...

 

[Shroud]

@Shroud - sorry you had to go through this. More power to you for getting back to tennis and wish you a speedy recovery!

Thanks Azure! Its a pretty big wake up call and I am excited to see how the recovery progresses. Went to PT yesterday and they did an eval. Got 29/30 on the "physical" test, and 30/30 on the speech/ brain stuff. But then the dude asked me what was really going on and there is alot that isn't on the tests I need to work through...but looking forward to the work. Enjoy life man.

 

[Shroud]

Depression could be caused by a live worm living inside human brain

BBC News - Live worm found in Australian woman's brain in world first https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-66643241

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

that is depressing...

 

[ByeByePoly]

LOL. There was a part in PT where we would walk and she would throw a ball and when I caught it, I had to name an animal. Once I said "newt". She had never heard of that, but sure enough I was right and you know the scene I was thinking of:

Thanks for the wishes and pickleball pass.

LOL … “I got better”.

Hospitals are strange places to spend months. A nurse once asked me about mom after an overnight shift. She was concerned mom was showing signs of dementia. I said “maybe … but it has been the same signs the last 50 years”.

Don’t worry about your pickleball years … I will tell you everything you need to know. First important advice is don’t listen to @sureshs about paddles … or worms … too soon for the worm. Wow … but I came very close to posting the worm story.

Edit: you win ttw 2023 Health and Fitness post of the year. Don’t think I will be talking about Achilles tendinitis now. Wow

 

[Cerdany]

Keep on keeping on, man

 

[Azure]

Thanks Azure! Its a pretty big wake up call and I am excited to see how the recovery progresses. Went to PT yesterday and they did an eval. Got 29/30 on the "physical" test, and 30/30 on the speech/ brain stuff. But then the dude asked me what was really going on and there is alot that isn't on the tests I need to work through...but looking forward to the work. Enjoy life man.

All good, just a ‘woman’ though

Take care and your personality is infectious. Very positive

 

[sureshs]

LOL … “I got better”.

Hospitals are strange places to spend months. A nurse once asked me about mom after an overnight shift. She was concerned mom was showing signs of dementia. I said “maybe … but it has been the same signs the last 50 years”.

Don’t worry about your pickleball years … I will tell you everything you need to know. First important advice is don’t listen to @sureshs about paddles … or worms … too soon for the worm. Wow … but I came very close to posting the worm story.

Edit: you win ttw 2023 Health and Fitness post of the year. Don’t think I will be talking about Achilles tendinitis now. Wow

I certainly agree with you. Pickleball advice should be taken from elderly people not young studs.

 

[sureshs]

@Shroud Were you given any "reason" for the tumor or something that could have prevented it?

 

[Curious]

All those weird posts make sense now. I’ve booked an MRI brain for tomorrow. Anyway great news it’s benign. Hope you have full recovery soon, mate. Btw did you ask the surgeon if there’s any association between this tumour and lifting heavy stuff?!

 

[ByeByePoly]

All those weird posts make sense now. I’ve booked an MRI brain for tomorrow. Anyway great news it’s benign. Hope you have full recovery soon, mate. Btw did you ask the surgeon if there’s any association between this tumour and lifting heavy stuff?!

Shroud weird posts … you are going to have to be way more specific. There must be a dedicated ttw MRI machine.

Can’t you see Shroud picking up one of his racquets in a month and saying “this grip sucks”.

 

[Curious]

Shroud weird posts … you are going to have to be way more specific. There must be a dedicated ttw MRI machine.

Can’t you see Shroud picking up one of his racquets in a month and saying “this grip sucks”.

We should’ve suspected something wrong with his nervous system as soon as he mentioned 422g racket felt good!

 

[Gemini]

@Shroud glad that you're on the road to recovery!

 

[sureshs]

Why is @ollinger not commenting?

 

[Shroud]

All good, just a ‘woman’ though

Take care and your personality is infectious. Very positive

yikes. Sorry about that. It just makes you better...

 

[Shroud]

All those weird posts make sense now. I’ve booked an MRI brain for tomorrow. Anyway great news it’s benign. Hope you have full recovery soon, mate. Btw did you ask the surgeon if there’s any association between this tumour and lifting heavy stuff?!

Let me guess you have a tumor that affects your bh?

 

[Shroud]

Shroud weird posts … you are going to have to be way more specific. There must be a dedicated ttw MRI machine.

Can’t you see Shroud picking up one of his racquets in a month and saying “this grip sucks”.

you would need ALL the MRI machines plus the 2 in canada for all the TTW issues. I do need to put on a new grip but its just because its worn.

 

[Shroud]

@Shroud glad that you're on the road to recovery!

Thanks!!! Appreciate the kind words and I have a long way to go, but getting there. see the vid below.

 

[Shroud]

Here is the vid from today!

 

[MyFearHand]

Here is the vid from today!

Dang dude this is awesome!

 

[ByeByePoly]

Here is the vid from today!

Could there be a better therapy than hitting tennis balls? My friend … that has the look of many more tennis hours in your future. Total guess on my part … but I looked for balance when you were moving and ability to track ball. Yes and yes … brother Shroud still be a tennis player. Nice souvenir they left you with on top of head.

 

[onehandbh]

Here is the vid from today!

Amazing. Can't believe you are able to play tennis so soon. Hitting pretty well, too.

Apparently, your surgeon did not remove the part of your brain that makes you want to wear sweatshirts and sweatpants in sunny weather.

 

[RajS]

I just saw this thread... wish you all the best in your recovery, @Shroud. Glad to see you back in action so fast!

 

[Tmano]

I just saw the thread too and i'm sorry Shroud, i wish you all the best and a fast recovery so you can fully enjoy life and tennis again!!!

 

[sureshs]

Here is the vid from today!

Looks better than before.

 

[sureshs]

Could there be a better therapy than hitting tennis balls?

Correct. Pickleball would actually make it worse.

 

[BlueB]

Well I had one. Was laying around in the hospital for a month. The Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists had me playing some form of racquet sport, whether it was real racquets hitting balloons, or racquets strung with string hitting lacrosse balls. Even got to serve with balls wrapped in velcro so they stuck on a board. It was great but left me thinking I would never play real tennis again. Pickle ball maybe.

Now being home for 2 weeks, I have a different view. My buddy took me to play yesterday. He had a hopper and fed me balls. Ugh, most were in the net with no power. Eventually I found the timing and was hitting the ball over the net and pretty good. We did some volleys and those were pretty good. Then we progressed to playing points. I was winning a decent amount off his serve! It was all coming back!! Sure laying in bed for a month took a big toll on the body (especially in a cold cold room), but man I can see making a comeback with some PT. Anyhow if you are in a similar situation just know the brain is amazing and can be retaught!! I am failing better

Speedy recovery! You are a trooper!

 

[vokazu]

Well I had one. Was laying around in the hospital for a month. The Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists had me playing some form of racquet sport, whether it was real racquets hitting balloons, or racquets strung with string hitting lacrosse balls. Even got to serve with balls wrapped in velcro so they stuck on a board. It was great but left me thinking I would never play real tennis again. Pickle ball maybe.

Now being home for 2 weeks, I have a different view. My buddy took me to play yesterday. He had a hopper and fed me balls. Ugh, most were in the net with no power. Eventually I found the timing and was hitting the ball over the net and pretty good. We did some volleys and those were pretty good. Then we progressed to playing points. I was winning a decent amount off his serve! It was all coming back!! Sure laying in bed for a month took a big toll on the body (especially in a cold cold room), but man I can see making a comeback with some PT. Anyhow if you are in a similar situation just know the brain is amazing and can be retaught!! I am failing better

OMG I'm so sorry to hear this. So happy for you that you have recovered and started playing tennis again! I play too much tennis lately but I don't mind it. Keep playing, brother!

 

[AnyPUG]

Incredible and so sorry. Great to see your recovery.