In 2017, Emily Suess’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with an inoperable Diffuse Astrocytoma — a type of brain tumour that cannot safely be fully removed through surgery.
Before her diagnosis, Emily worked as a technical copywriter and lived a busy professional life. Like many people facing serious illness, she never imagined that one day she would be navigating surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, and the emotional uncertainty that comes with living with brain cancer every single day.
Diffuse Astrocytomas are particularly difficult to treat because the tumour spreads into surrounding brain tissue, making complete removal impossible in many cases. Patients often experience ongoing neurological symptoms, fatigue, cognitive changes, and the constant fear of progression.
For Emily, the diagnosis did not just affect her health. It changed every aspect of her life.
She eventually had to leave her 9-to-5 job in order to cope with the physical and mental challenges caused by her tumour and treatments. Living with an inoperable brain tumour means living with uncertainty — never fully knowing when new symptoms or complications may appear.
Despite everything she has faced, Emily continues to speak openly and honestly about her experiences in the hope that others may feel less alone.
Finding Strength Through Creativity
One of the ways Emily processes the trauma and emotional weight of her diagnosis is through blogging and creating Zentangle art.
To keep her mind active, she shares her healthcare journey, artwork, and personal reflections through her blog — something she has been passionate about for many years.
“I’ve been blogging in some form or another since about 2006,” Emily explains. “This particular incarnation of my blog has been around since about 2014 when my symptoms were still a mystery, and I was working through a misdiagnosis of fibromyalgia.”
Her blog documents far more than medical appointments and treatments. It captures the emotional reality of fighting for answers, receiving a life-changing diagnosis, and learning how to adapt to a completely different life.
“My blog is about me, my healthcare journey, my fight to get a real diagnosis, my eventual brain tumour diagnosis and subsequent treatments, and my recovery and ‘new normal’ trying to make the most of my disabled life.”
As a professional writer, Emily naturally gravitated toward storytelling as a way to cope, reflect, and connect with others.
“I hope that by sharing what I’ve learned, I can help other people with chronic illnesses advocate for themselves and bring awareness to others about what it’s like to have brain cancer.”
Alongside her blog, Emily is currently working on writing a memoir, creating a YouTube channel focused on Zentangle art, and building financial support for her creative work through Patreon.
Here is one of Emily’s YouTube Videos
The Importance of Support
Throughout Emily’s journey, one person has remained by her side through every difficult moment — her husband, Dan.
When asked who her personal hero is, her answer comes immediately.
“It might sound cheesy, but my husband Dan is my personal hero,” Emily says. “He has done everything for me, without complaint or begrudging, from buying me pyjamas and underwear when I was first admitted to the hospital to making the bed every week while I was so sick during chemotherapy treatments that I was unable to do it for myself.”
Caregivers often become the invisible backbone of chronic illness and cancer journeys. Emily’s words shine a light on the love, patience, and emotional strength required not only from patients, but also from the people who care for them every day.
The Invisible Struggle of Brain Cancer
Although treatments and physical symptoms are incredibly difficult, Emily says one of the hardest parts of living with brain cancer is feeling misunderstood.
“Apart from having a brain tumour/brain cancer, the most challenging part for me is feeling understood,” she explains. “So much of the experience just doesn’t translate into words. It’s hard to explain the thoughts, feelings, and struggles that we face every day, both to family and friends and to strangers.”
Brain tumours affect far more than physical health. Many patients experience cognitive difficulties, memory problems, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and changes to their identity and independence. These invisible struggles are often difficult for others to fully comprehend.
By speaking honestly about these realities, Emily is helping to break down misconceptions surrounding brain cancer and chronic illness.
More Than a Diagnosis
Emily’s story is not defined solely by illness. She is still a writer, an artist, a creator, and an advocate using her voice to support others who may be silently struggling.
Her openness offers comfort to people navigating similar diagnoses while also helping educate those who may know very little about conditions like Diffuse Astrocytoma.
Awareness matters because behind every diagnosis is a real person trying to continue living, creating, loving, and hoping despite unimaginable challenges.
Through her writing, art, and honesty, Emily Suess is doing exactly that.
You can follow Emily’s journey, artwork, and advocacy through her blog and creative platforms.
You can follow Emily’s blog and more HERE
For more information about brain tumours and support resources, visit:
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