Branden Newman’s Battle with Glioblastoma
Branden Newman has dealt with migraines since he was a teenager, around 13 years old. Usually, he would just grab an over-the-counter painkiller, and the headache would be gone within a day.
However, in late April, things took a serious turn. The Texas resident experienced a massive migraine that lasted six days. During this time, he couldn’t eat and felt constantly dizzy, nauseous, and extremely sensitive to light.
Eventually, the now 38-year-old was taken to the emergency room, where scans unveiled a significant ‘mass’ in his head wrapping around a crucial blood vessel. The diagnosis was glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Sadly, most patients with this condition typically don’t survive beyond 18 months.
Reflecting on his symptoms, he shared with TODAY, “I had a headache for six days straight. I wasn’t eating. Sleep was all I could do, and I just felt completely out of it.”
Just a week after being diagnosed, Branden underwent major surgery. Doctors operated on him, removing about 90 percent of the tumor by cutting into his skull. Yet, complications arose—one of his major blood vessels spasmed during the operation, which led to a stroke. Now, he faces challenges in moving the left side of his body.
Glioblastomas can affect anyone at any age, proving to be particularly hard to treat due to their tendency to grow tentacles deep within the brain. Approximately 12,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, with only about five percent of patients surviving more than five years. Experts note that cases are on the rise, particularly among individuals under 40, although the reasons remain unclear.
Branden’s journey began when his wife, Joanna—a healthcare worker—encouraged him to seek medical attention as his condition worsened. “Branden had a migraine for six days,” she told a local news station. “He always gets them, but this one was different. It lasted too long, and he was quite nauseated.”
When Joanna learned of Branden’s diagnosis, she was devastated. “My boss came and got me out of the operating room and told me they found a mass on Branden. I lost it,” she recounted.
He received his diagnosis on May 2 and had a craniotomy on May 8 to remove the mass. Since then, he has undergone six weeks of radiation therapy followed by six months of weekly chemotherapy, with daily chemotherapy continuing now. Additionally, he is on perampanel and gabapentin, medications that may help with seizure control and possibly improve survival rates.
Initially, after waking from surgery, he struggled with movement on his left side, but he has since regained enough function to walk again, although his left arm remains a challenge.
Branden revealed his diagnosis around Glioblastoma Awareness Day on July 16, aiming to raise awareness about the disease. Warning signs include persistent headaches, vomiting, loss of appetite, and changes in mood. While most headaches are not indicative of tumors, anyone with concerns should talk to their healthcare provider.
Having met on a camping trip when Branden was 13 and Joanna was 11, the couple’s journey began early. They dated through high school and married in 2007. Shortly after tying the knot, however, they faced difficulties when Joanna was diagnosed with a non-cancerous spinal cord tumor that hindered her mobility.
Branden stood by her side, supporting her through surgery and recovery. “He took great care of me all the way through,” Joanna said. “I’m grateful for everything he’s done.”
Now, Joanna is assisting Branden through his own health battle. The couple has also started a fundraiser to help cover unexpected medical costs, surpassing their $35,000 goal by raising $140,000 so far.
