What Up?
Hi all! SO.. ummm, very random and totally bizarre- but it turns out I have a brain tumor. I know- Come again?
It’s Not a TUM-AH!
Actually, it is a “tumah” Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger from Kindergarten Cop (that quote played in my head and made me giggle for 2 days straight after the doctor told me). And you know how they say “it ain’t brain surgery!” Welll, this time, it is…on Sept. 18th. Shall we rewind?
Yea- WTF?
OK: On July 29th (a very sunny, lovely day, indeed), I sat on the edge of hammock. It quite violently and quickly flipped me over. My head bounced off the corner of this slate wall. 
I completely freaked that I had a concussion. Even though I didn’t pass out, I knew Lady Gaga had performed through a concussion, so surely I was doomed (ha- If only!). My dear husband insisted that I get a CTScan to make sure I was ok. Oh, that seemed very unnecessary and expensive to me.. but he insisted. For anyone who follows me on Twitter (@DessertDarling!), this was my Tweet that day: 
On July 30th, I got an MRI due to an odd calcification in the CTScan. And then, my doctor told me- I have a “benign” brain tumor. Now- everyone around me, doctors included, seemed to think this was some serious f-cking news. I however found it So extraordinarily ABSURD, that I could only laugh. I mean- REALLY!??! A concussion is some serious business, but a brain tumor? That’s just hilarious.
You Know What this Means?!
Ya’ll- you know what this means?! I have ANGELS! 
They were like, “Ok now, we gave her a fabulous wedding, and now she’s family planning- she better get her head checked before she has babies!” Then they were like “Ok, so HMMMMM- How do we get her to hit her head hard enough that she gets it checked, but not so hard that she actually gets a concussion or brain damage? Oh- let’s lead her up these random steps to this random nook and have her sit on a hammock! We’ll flip it over!” I mean really guys- how crazy lucky blessed am I?!
Why Share this News So Publicly?
Why not? I mean, it’s not like I was promiscuous and went out and got myself a brain tumor! Truthfully, I struggled with who to tell and how to tell it. Eventually, this was my reasoning:
- It didn’t feel honest not to share the news. I’ve always been an open book. I couldn’t very well sit there while friends asked “What’s up?! What’s going on!?” and not blurt out “I have a brain tumor!”
- Also, it turns out- once you have a brain tumor, so does everyone’s aunt, sister, cousin, etc. Really!? I’d never even heard of someone actually having a brain tumor before. Why the silence? Let’s get it out there- People can get brain tumors, y’all!
- I want to start a dialogue, not sure what: Early detection? Cell phone use? Power of positivity? Perspective? Whatever you take away from learning this news.. if it impacts you, that’s a start.
- I need you! Scientific studies have proven that thoughts have wave lengths that shape and shift our world. Prayer works! So if wouldn’t mind, please give me a good nod. Especially when I get a hole to my skull on Sept. 18th! THANK YOU {:-)
What About Your Blogs?
Well I am SO glad you asked! I’m still blogging!! I’m working really hard this week to get posts up for the next couple of weeks to sustain me through recovery. Then I’m betting my bottom dollar that my brain will be fully in tact post-op to hop on the bandwagon again.
You can expect:
- Sweet MONDAYS & FRIDAYS with the Dessert Darling.
- Healthy TUESDAY & THURSDAYS with the Healthy Darling.
- Wedding WEDNESDAYS with the Wedding Darling.
All sites live at TheDarlingSites.com, if that’s just easier for you 
Your direct tweets and Facebook messages will surely sustain and invigorate me through my recovery!
Video:
Wait- what? You’re still here! Wow- Ok. So you want to hear about the tumor itself? The 6 hour surgery? How I’m really doing? Ok, I shot this video on a whim so I sort of hate the lighting and my hair. But whatever.. here you go!
Email:
So after that video my friends and family were terrified to email me. Ohmygod, if you’re a dear friend or family member, you can totally email me! I was trying to protect Tyler, who already gets 300 emails a day and literally has thousands of friends, from getting his inbox flooded.
THANK YOU:
That’s it. You’ve made it this far. I love you for that more than you can know, so Thank You.
PS:
My brain tumor is literally the most boring topic in the world to me. I’ve never been so bored of talking about myself in my life! So if I see you, can we Puh-lease talk about Dance Moms, weddings, babies, or sparkly things instead? Many many thanks!
What an awesome spirit you have Jenny. Sending you good thoughts as well as Dance Mom gossip, weddings, babies and sparkly things. Good luck.
You are blessed, and will continue to be for a long time!
Lots of prayers for you and Tyler! Can’t wait for the surgery to be over and behind you! 
You are so strong, Jenny! Thinking good thoughts and I know you’ll be back to blogging (among other things!) in no time! xoxo
Laura
Praying for you Jenny! Admire your strength and outlook. xo Heather
I’m so glad to hear that you are recovering, but since you don’t want to talk about the tumor, let’s talk about the pomegranate chocolates from K Chocolatier. Mmmmm
Jenny, you are amazing! Seriously, this is the most kick ass-est post ever! I’m in awe of your incredible attitude and perspective through this whole thing and BEYOND impressed that you chose to write about it and share it with your faithful DD readers. That tumor doesn’t stand a chance! I’ll be sending prayers your way for a seamless surgery and speedy recover so you are back on your feet with a milkshake in hand before Arnold can say “Tumah!” You rock. Big hugs, blog friend!
Love you Jenny! Your amazing positive outlook is inspiring. I will be rooting for you on the 18th! Sending you the biggest virtual bear hug! Looking forward to partying with you and Tyler when you are all healed:)
xoxo,
Nikki
First of all, I’m sending you lots of prayers and love and positivity.
Second, you are definitely blessed and your angels are watching out for you. Amazingly, yours is not the first story like this that I have heard. One of our close family friends was skiing with my Dad last year and ran into a large tree branch. Thankfully, he didn’t appear to be injured badly but they took him to the hospital fearing that he may have broken his arm or bruised a rib. When the doctors did their tests they discovered a very large aneurysm in his heart that would most likely have killed him and potentially soon as it was huge. He flew home immediately and had surgery to treat the aneurysm and is healthy and happy now.
The moral of the story is that your angels wouldn’t have pointed it out if they didn’t know that everything would be fine after you had the surgery. I know you’ll do great during the surgery and will be back to your awesome, bubbly, and talkative self in no time! Your angels will be with you the whole way to make sure what they started is finished successfully.
And on the bright side, you can either rock a totally punk-rock hairdo for a little while and/or get gorgeous hair extensions gulit-free!
In the meantime, you have so many people thinking of you and wishing you well. Not to mention, you have the most amazing boys at home in Tyler and Charlie. I’m sure they’ll take excellent care of our Jenny Darling.
Please let me know if I can do anything for you and please give my love to Tyler as well.
All my love,
Dara
Sending you my love from Canada. May all the people in your life keep you strong!!
Jenny,
A few things I know about you:
You are a born champ!! There is nothing on earth you can not get through.
You are loved!! Your family, friends and fans are here for you today and always.
You are grace under fire. You are just amazing!!!
Praying for you and can’t wait to see you, talk dessert and laugh!
I LOVE YOU!!
Jade
I will be praying for you on the 18th. So awesome and honest and brave of you to be sharing this with the world. Falling off that hammock has God’s hand written all over it. His grace is amazing. Having this tumor removed now will insure you have the long and prosperous life that He intended. Thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey with us.
And I look forward to many more yummy dessert reviews!
xoxo-K
Much love to our favourite dessert reviewer! Shut that tumor down!
~ KDub
Jenny!
You are so strong and thorough in everything that you take on! I have no doubt you are going to get through this with ease… You know, Eleni and I have you and Tyler in our prayers and will always be here for you both!
so much love,
Jay and Eleni
Love you, Jenny! I will be praying for you (and Tyler) daily! Keep up that positive attitude. I’m claiming complete healing and abundant health for you now and for the next ninety years. You got this – you’re healthy, strong, beautiful and completely abundant in all ways.
Blessings & Love,
Jess
P.S. OMG – isn’t the Dance Moms finale tonight? Super excited!
You are so awesome it’s ridic. You’re gonna kick some serious TUMAH ass. I’ll be praying for you every single day, you’re not gonna need it but hey, I’ll do it for good measure. Now, let’s talk about Camille Grammer. I love that lady.
Jenny and Tyler.
So shocked to hear the news. My love and thoughts go out to you both. I know you will get through this stronger than ever before.
If there is anything at all I can do to help out during this proces, let me know.
Love you both!
A thousand thoughts
Ulrik
oh my I thought of another question…what about pinterest?….LOL JK
I am thinking of you and can’t wait to have you back on everything
[...] los angeles area interests So between today being 9/11, having my dear friend Jenny finally announce her brain tumor, and thinking of my dad, I’ve been feeling pretty [...]
I grew up a religious person and kinda drifted off in my college years. Stories like this make you believe that there is really is a higher power in control. Glad to hear that you are taking the whole ordeal well. My thoughts and prayers are with you! Best of luck during your recovery! xoxo I’ll checking in with the new Healthy Darling site
wow!!!! awesome video!!! will be thinking of you from right now until the news is good!!! xoxo b
Love your positive energy! I’m sure once you’re back at home after the 18th, you’ll have plenty of PINS to add to Pinterest. All the positive vibes I can send are going your way!
I dont know you that well, but your story ended up in my feed.
Life completely happens for a reason… I have a friend who was snorkeling in Mexico, and contracted a parasite through his ear. well guess what?! when they looked closer at the parasite they discovered a golf ball sized tumor in his brain kind of in the same area as you!! He had the surgery, and has since recovered and is 100 percent better!!! We always were like “holy crap how crazy is it that he got that parasite from being on vacation in Cabo and it ultimately saved his life!” ISnt that AMAZING?!
New episode of Dance Moms tonight, I wanna see Abbey dance more (jiggle more)…. Also you really should be watching some Here Comes Honey Boo Boo…..
Sending good vibes your way sister
:) 
Rosemarie
Jenny, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you in person…yet, but I want to tell you and Tyler that I am sending those positive thoughts to you both. It’s obvious that you have a very beautiful and upbeat nature. I will keep you guys in my thoughts and will look forward to hearing that the surgery went perfectly!! All the best, Leila
You’re literally hilarious! Best outlook on a brain tumor EVER!!! Good luck, and you’re my idol:)!
xoxoxox
Danelle
ps u will look so bad ass with a shaved head!!
What a bright spirit you are, Jenny. You are truly blessed. Will keep you in thought and prayers. Sending love and hugs from PA. Xoxo
Sending love. It’s incredible you are sharing all of this in such an amazing and positive way. We will be thinking good thoughts through everything!
Jenny,
You are in my prayers and thoughts. It’s so creative and kind of you to create this post to let everyone who cares about you know what’s going on and how you are doing. And of course, if there’s anything I can do to help or do to support you in addition to what you’ve already mentioned I’m happy to help. You’ve been just a joy to know and I’ve had so much fun with you and Tyler, and am excited to see the book launch finally happening! Sending you warm wishes and happy thoughts. ~ Owen
We’re sending you our love and support. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
With love and strength,
Scott & Kate MacArthur
Jenny –
Could you be any cuter!? I so appreciate your video and hearing what is going on. Thank you. We adore you and are sending only positive, healing thoughts your way. Here to help in any and every way we can so never hesitate. In the meantime – sending good vibes out there on your behalf.
XO
You are such a positive and amazing woman. Your spirit is an inspiration and i was truly amazed as I read this post. You and Tyler are in my thoughts. Take care and thank you for always making me smile each and every time I read something you post
Love,
Nicole Leone Silva
Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
[...] …and still tasty enough to satisfy The Dessert Darling! [...]
Jenny! I just saw this…wow what an interesting turn of events for you. You have humor, health and love surrounding you so that tumor just has to go away. The 18th is my mom’s birthday, so I’ll be thinking of you and just know it’s going to be a successful surgery. Matt and I both send our biggest, chocolate-y hugs and kisses to you and your family.
There is something about you not quite of this world, from another time? I admire your essence. Sending loving healing thoughts, to add to the angels surrounding you.
May your boundlessness reign forever. We need light like yours!
Hi Jenny, I really admire your spirit in this situation!!! I also admire how you write, your style is fantastic!!!!!! Hold the forth and all the best for the surgery I ll follow your news on here. Big hug and see you hopefully in Hong Kong,
Sandra
Jenny, Tyler,
You guys are so brilliant. I am so impressed by you, Jenny, repeatedly. They say things happen for a reason and it’s probably because people need to see how you live life. The way you do it is how it should be done. You’re inspiring an a glorious teacher. Things will go well because they will. You have an amazing spirit and the love is around you because you put it out there. I’m very lucky to have you both as friends and will send you the love the whole time.
it’s in God’s hands now that you’ve chosen the best doctor. Just relax and keep on laughing until they tell you not to move!
We will see you soon my lovely,
X
Hi Jenny! I just want to share with you that i do know a couple of people with brain tumors, I know every case is different, but I wanted to let you know that they are fine, they did get back to normal life in a couple of weeks!
And I’m writing from Costa Rica, a third world country… So you should be all right in the US. Just keep your thoughts as positive as you are now, that really will be a key, I’m sure of that. I will keep you in my prayers, hoping to read more from you soon.
Marcia
Jenny, this is Manu from Argentina. First of all I wanted to say sorry for writing to Tyler’s personal inbox. I really appreciate him and by instinct I wrote him as soon as I heard about this…then I saw your video…
Leaving that behind, just wanted to tell you that you are inspiring…i really can´t believe your strength and how much you care about Tyler in such a difficult moment for you. I don´t beleive…I’m SURE that everything is going to be ok and I will have the chance to meet you and to see my friend Tyler again. Thank you for teaching us how to manage a situation like this…only god knows why he put us this tests in our lives, I really don´t understand it. What I know is that I will use Jenny`s way to face my problems from now on.
Big hugs!! See you around! Un beso muy grande!
Jumping over from Lynn’s blog at the Actors Diet. Wishing you well and sending you lots of Good juju. I have a college friend who i helped name her brain tumor. That way she could talk about in normal conversation in a more ordinary way. Given its location it was something of a third eye so we decided on Sidd, short for Siddhartha. As any good Buddhist Sidd experienced the truth of impermanence and went on his merry way after surgery.
Best of luck to you!!
Jenny!
It has been so long but I have been following DD! You are such a beautiful girl, inside and out and this is just an opportunity to showcase that beauty! Thinking of you and praying for you and looking forward to tons of more DD posts!
xoxo
Bonnie Jeanne
Im thinking of you and your family. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of staying positive!
My favorite part of this whole blog is the “P.S” – you’re so funny and real in the midst of all of this chaos and pain- Dance Moms! That’s why you’re brilliant & amazing Jenny
I’m so sorry that you are going through this! I will certainly keep you in my prayers! Prayers for a quick and speedy recovery!
[...] her blog here (a quick but inspirational read), she writes, “Scientific research has proven that thoughts have [...]
Hey Jenny, I hope everything goes okay. If love and good thoughts really do help, you’ll definitely be fine, because everybody loves you. Take it easy doing the hustle for a while. Lots of love, Andrew xx
Jenny, i don’t know how i stumbled on this news tonight, but wow! Just watched your video. You are so inspiring and so adorable. You are no doubt resting up for tomorrow. What a journey. I will be looking out for updates and sending many positive thoughts in your direction. I am happy to learn you have married the perfect man. From the way you talk about Tyler, in spirit and in actions, he sounds amazing. I am so happy you have a true and loving soulmate by your side during this wild adventure. Happy healing!
lots of love and xo, Nancy
We have never met. I saw LinzLoves tweet about your surgery today. I read the post and watched the video. You are amazing! I have no doubt that you will have a superior recovery! I wish you all the best! Keep your chin up!
Lauren
P.S. I am Charles Trippy’s mother-in-law… We know all about stupid ‘brain slugs’!
Jenny,
You are such a special girl, my daughter’s twin friend….. so full of life! Your energy and positive attitude is a delight to see thru your video. I am sending prayers your way! We’ll be seeing you soon!
Sheri (Nicole Taylor’s mother)
You are amazing! Positive thoughts and prayers your way!
Jenny
Friend of a friend. Everything happens for a reason. You will be fine and a stronger person after all is done. Life is about experiences, good and… Challenging. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Dear Jenny:
You have been in our thoughts and prayers and we are wishing you a speedy recovery to someone so full of love, life, and energy. Your attitude is an inspiration to everyone!
Hi Jenny,
Great to see your humor, positive outlook, and most importantly to know that you’re doing well after the surgery. Very impressed and very much enjoyed reading through your story – have to find your email as Brynn and I will certainly get in touch and surely become your new email stalkers… I also hope that we have some angels out there and that they take notes from your angels.
Sending you strength – your positivity is infectious! Thinking of you!
HI Jenny,
Can’t wait to hear good news on your recovery. Sending you our prayers and positive thoughts.
Love,
JW & Kate
Hi Jenny,
Three years ago I was told that I wouldn’t live past nine months. I told the neurologist, radiologist, brain surgeon and oncologist not to give me any medication that would kill my liver or kidneys. They all agreed except the neurologist. After asking my pharmacist about the side effects of each of the many medications I was taking, only one was bad, so I demanded a substitute. My brain tumor is a oglio something. It is one stage better than a glioblastoma. I relate to much of what your video said. I don’t remember being awake for the surgery, but I do remember most of my experience. I told the surgeon not to mess with my healthy tissue, because I didn’t want to be different. He only took out the heart of the tumor and I ended up about the same, except the seizures went away. I told him “I want to die peacefully, in my sleep like my grandfather, not like the screaming passengers in his car.” I told him to unplug me if things went bad. Also, I told him that I was so sure of his skill and experience, that if he came across anything new to him or unusual, he would be able to figure it out because after all, it wasn’t rocket science!” He then signaled for the anesthesiologist to put me under. My tumor is the size of a hard ball baseball and in my right frontal lobe. It is the kindest tumor to have because it somehow releases endorphins. I joked through the entire process and drove the hospital staff crazy. I think they enjoyed having a patient with a quick wit. It was my natural joking personality magnified. God is good and answers prayers. I don’t know fully why He kept me, but I’m finding that many people know someone who has a brain tumor (I had only heard of Sen. Kennedy and my grandmother). My cell phone is suspect as I used it exclusively on my right side (brain tumor side) for 10 years. Once, I was completely overwhelmed with the cards and well wished and just sat in bed and cried with joy about the love sent my way. I tell everyone what great things come out of severe trials. I have a scar in my hairline (hair finally grew back). My biggest two concerns are 1. if the tumor will start growing again and I have to have surgery again. and 2. if my stomach and energy will recover. I’ll pray for you and know that God hears our prayers. He says so and wants us to talk with Him. Blessing to you,
Ken
[...] us a little bit about your story. A: Wow- this experience is a little hard to put into words. My reaction to the diagnosis was so atypical and my results so seamless, that it feels like I just had a mole [...]
[...] does not dictate your happiness- it is your perception of the world that does (You can get a brain tumor and go “Why me?!” or say- “Yay, I have angels!” ). While I took the tumor [...]