Following Treatment for a Brain Tumor, Cory Is in It for the Long Run

These incredible experiences would make it even more difficult to grapple with the shocking revelation soon to come: He may lose the ability to walk.

One night, Cory woke up feeling something was wrong. His husband, Joe Bragdon, called 911. By the time the ambulance arrived, Cory had begun having a series of terrifying episodes. At a local emergency room, clinicians gave him medication for stress. He was discharged after about 12 hours of observation.  

Back at his home in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, things did not improve; instead, they quickly got worse. Cory had a massive seizure that caused him to bite through his tongue. Upon returning to the hospital, he had a CT scan that found a tumor in his brain. On the recommendation of a cardiologist friend, he requested a transfer to Massachusetts General Hospital.

In the two-and-a-half years since, Cory has faced more than his share of obstacles and setbacks. He has had brain surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. And he has had to leave behind his 25-year career as a hair stylist. But he's alive—and grateful for it. 

"I'm not psyched that I can't continue doing what I'd done for so long, but I can't worry about things I can't control," he said. "That's how I've always thought about it. This is what it is now, and I just have to put one foot in front of the other." 

At Mass General Cancer Center, Cory met with neurosurgical oncologist Daniel Cahill, MD, PhD, and neuro-oncologist Nancy Wang, MD, MPH. As they explained, an MRI scan showed Cory had a glioma—the most common brain tumor in adults. 

Now the question was, what type of glioma? Dr. Cahill had his suspicions. 

"At Mass General, we see hundreds of glioma patients every year," he said. "Cory's tumor looked different than the most commonly seen gliomas and had features suggesting it might be an oligodendroglioma. 'Oligos,' as we call them, are rare. About 1 in 15 patients who have signs of glioma on their MRI scan will have an oligo." 

Getting a definitive upfront answer is key for managing these patients correctly. In Cory's case, it would require a brain biopsy, which involves taking a small sample from the tumor for testing. Dr. Cahill quickly moved ahead with the biopsy, which confirmed the oligo diagnosis.  

Oligos are slow-growing tumors. While there's no cure, they can be highly treatable. Cory's treatment plan started with surgery to remove the tumor. Next, he had six weeks of radiation and then a year and a half of chemotherapy to kill any active cancer cells that remained. 

"Dr. Cahill didn't mince any words. He said that with aggressive brain surgery in this area, many patients experience temporary weakness in their leg. In fact, there was a small but real risk I might never walk again," Cory said. "But having worked with adaptive athletes as a sighted guide, I have friends who are in wheelchairs and have amazing lives without restrictions or limitations. That made it much less scary for me and helped me keep a positive outlook." 

Two days later, Cory shocked his nurse by being able to walk with the assistance of a walker. One week after surgery, he went home. Over the next six weeks, he had occupational therapy at Spaulding Rehabilitation and physical therapy at Brigham and Women's Hospital. 

As he regained the ability to walk, Cory began radiation at Mass General under the watch of radiation oncologist Kevin Oh, MD. Then came the extended course of chemotherapy, which Dr. Wang oversaw. It was a long, grueling road, but Cory stayed upbeat throughout. 

"I looked at my treatment as the Boston Marathon," he said. "The surgery would be like going from Hopkinton to Framingham. Radiation would be getting to Wellesley, and chemotherapy would be reaching the finish line." 

Cory had managed to complete a 5K during chemotherapy and a 10K two weeks after chemotherapy ended. Less than two years post-surgery, he ran his first half marathon since becoming ill.  

"I can't run a seven-minute mile anymore, but everything I can do is something that was not promised to me," he said. "I take that as a gift every day."