- Book Talk: Me, Myself and My Brain Stem Tumour: Memoirs of a Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivor by Bayan Azizi, Wednesday, May 20, 6:30-8 p.m. at the community room at the Lynn Valley library. Free. Registration required, phone 604-984-0286 x8144. nvdpl.ca
"A lot of people have asked me how I do it. My best piece of advice is to always stay positive and forget about the negative parts of life. Focus on the good parts in life and try to be happy with what you have. This will keep you happy. One of the most important assets in life is happiness, so try to keep that as a priority. That was what helped me most, and I am sure that many other people will benefit from it too."
- Bayan Azizi in Me, Myself and My Brain Stem Tumour: Memoirs of a Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivor
Bayan Azizi is no stranger to overcoming challenges.
At age nine, the North Vancouver resident was diagnosed with cervicomedullary ganglioglioma, a rare brain stem tumour. Now 25 and in remission, he uses a wheelchair, experiences seizures and speaks softly in a whisper.
Through it all, he's maintained a positive outlook on life, and a strong sense of gratitude for the support he's received.
Azizi has just penned a memoir, Me, Myself and My Brain Stem Tumour: Memoirs of a Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivor, sharing his personal tale of overcoming adversity as a means of inspiring readers to live their own lives to the fullest.
To celebrate the launch of the work, published by Everywhere Now Press, the Lynn Valley library is hosting a book talk featuring the first-time author, Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. "I'm proud of myself and happy to be able to share the message," said Bayan in an interview with the North Shore News Monday in Capilano University's Birch Building. His mother Nika was on hand to assist with the interview, repeating her son's statements where required.
"In this moment I am really proud of Bayan because he has always shown this strength in him and wanting to do his best, achieving, being there for people. Since he was very little, the characteristic of altruism was in him and now that he's written this story, I see those traits, those characteristics even stronger with this book. He wants to give hope to others.. .. Even though he doesn't have a voice, he has a voice through his book," she said.
Bayan was compelled to write the book "to give hope and encouragement to others," he said.
He worked on it for three years, an arduous process due to his physical challenges. He has double vision and lacks feeling in his hand and so types slowly, using one finger, an action requiring extreme focus.
Me, Myself and My Brain Stem Tumour is described as "a poignant and humorous perspective on childhood illness and survival, providing an unprecedented insight into a child's life we can only imagine."
In the memoir, Bayan shares both his personal story of growing up as well as his medical journey, which over the years has included three brain surgeries, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, countless hospital visits as well as stays at Vancouver's Canuck Place Children's Hospice.
His target audience is "people or patients with similar situations, families that have struggles in their lives.. .. Anyone that is facing any adversity," he said.
When asked where his positivity is derived, he credits, "all of the support that I have received." That includes from family, friends, neighbours, medical professionals, teachers, support organizations as well as members of the Baha'i community. "Everybody that's crossed our path," he said.
Bayan, who graduated from Argyle secondary, is currently studying English and writing at Capilano University, and is letting plans for a second book - a work of fiction this time around - continue to percolate. He also works part time in marketing for North Vancouver's Ferguson Moving Storage.
Me, Myself, and My Brain Stem Tumour: Memoirs of a Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivor is widely available, including at Edgemont Village's 32 Books Gallery, Book Warehouse, Chapters Indigo and Amazon.ca.
