Just a bad dream?

I had a doctor's appointment last week (unrelated to my tumor) and the doctor asked me about my tumor situation.  After I told her, she asked who my neurosurgeon is.  I told her Dr. S, and she said that he did a craniotomy on her 10 years ago, as she had a tumor too.  I think it's pretty amazing to meet people that are/were in a similar situation as me, even down to the neurosurgeon!  Her tumor was fully removed at surgery and she hasn't had any recurrences since.  She told me that, as weird as it sounds, she wouldn't change her situation for the world.  She said that having the tumor and surgery gave her an entirely new perspective that she is very lucky to have now.  Granted, she hasn't had any tumor issues since (she's a lucky lady), but it's still good to hear.  She said it took her about 6 months after the surgery to feel like that, and while my perspective has changed about some things, I'm really looking forward to continuing to adjust my perspective (in a positive way).  It goes back to that Lance Armstrong quote ("You don't know it yet, but we're the lucky ones.") that I think about a lot.

I definitely am making progress, as my whole surgery is starting to seem like a weird bad dream that I had. It sort of feels like after I got my adult braces off.  I know I actually had braces, but it feels like that was a weird bad dream, and sometimes I think, "Wow, did I really actually have braces (as an adult)?!"  Then I see pictures taken from that time and that my teeth are straight now, and I know that yes, yes I did.  My surgery is starting to take on those same characteristics.  Because brain surgery is CRAZY, right?!  It seems unfathomable at times that I actually had it done.  But lo and behold, I have the massive scar and short hair to prove it.

Don't get me wrong, this is a GOOD thing.  My surgery and tumor are not at the top of my mind, and I forget about them a lot.  Because I'm moving on with my life and my surgery and my tumor are not the focus, it almost surprises me when I remember it.  It's not denial, it's just progress.  And it's GREAT.  :)