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Brain Tumor Awareness Month: Sharon Hester’s Story of Faith, Survival and Extraordinary Care

May 5, 2026 | Reading Time: 4 minutes

A Brain Tumor Survivor Story from Huntsville

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the realities of brain tumors, the importance of awareness, and the hope that comes with expert care and resilient patients. Sharon Hester’s journey is a powerful reminder that brain tumors don’t always present with warning signs, and that survival is possible even in the most extraordinary circumstances.

Sharon, a Huntsville native, introduces her story simply: she is “a benign brain tumor survivor.” What makes her experience so remarkable is that, leading up to her diagnosis, she had none of the symptoms typically associated with a brain tumor. She recalls that in 2024, she “didn’t have any key indicators, like headaches, dizziness, blacking out pain… or any of that,” noting that the only change she noticed was some unexpected weight loss.

When Brain Tumor Symptoms Aren’t Obvious

Everything changed on November 26, 2024, when her son came to her home and found her unresponsive on the bedroom floor in a fetal position. Her son called paramedics, and she was taken to the Huntsville Hospital ER. The last thing she remembered was being in her bed at home. Then, she suddenly woke up in the hospital with her mother by her bedside. Doctors explained that they had found a large mass in her head. They needed to do further testing and make some urgent decisions.

The emotional shock was immediate. Sharon described herself as being filled with “fear, anxiety, surprise,” explaining that she went from her normal life to doctors telling her that what was happening was essentially life-threatening. Tests revealed a benign brain tumor approximately the size of a softball, roughly seven by seven centimeters, and the growth timeline was unknown.

Preparing for Brain Tumor Surgery

Before she could have surgery, doctors said they first needed to stabilize Sharon’s health. Despite a background in fitness and bodybuilding, she was classified as severely malnourished. She remembers how difficult it was to process being placed on steroids and IV treatments to build her strength for the operation.

Throughout her hospital stay, Sharon became deeply aware of the care surrounding her. She speaks with heartfelt appreciation about neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Hargett and his team at Spine & Neuro, as well as physician assistant Bethany Zakrzewski. Sharon described them as a team that showed up daily, monitored her vitals closely, and prepared her both physically and mentally for surgery.

An 8-Hour Brain Tumor Surgery and Remarkable Recovery

On December 18, 2024, Dr. Hargett performed an 8-hour operation to remove Sharon’s tumor. Even Dr. Hargett’s team later described aspects of her recovery as miraculous. She recalls waking up just five or six hours after surgery wanting to eat, surprising her care team who expected a much slower progression. Within 24 hours, her oxygen levels had significantly improved, and her breathing tube and catheter were removed far earlier than anticipated.

After spending 29 days in the hospital, Sharon was discharged on Christmas Eve. Despite expectations that she would struggle significantly with mobility, she quickly began rebuilding her strength. She had a walker, which she jokingly called her “best friend for all of maybe a week.” Determined to regain independence, she started walking laps in her mother’s hallway each day after meals, gradually increasing from five laps to ten, then twenty, thirty, and eventually forty.

The Power of Faith and Mindset During Brain Tumor Recovery

Throughout recovery, Sharon focused on one goal: survival. She explains that during the intense period of confinement, medications, and emotional processing, she realized she was facing something she would have to fight herself. From that point forward, her mindset centered on staying alive and moving forward step by step.

Her outlook became a crucial part of her healing. Sharon refuses to say she was ever “sick,” choosing instead to say she “experienced a catastrophic event.” She describes her approach as “mind over matter,” rooted in strong spiritual faith and a belief that “God has the final say, and there’s hope.”

A Rare Brain Tumor Case That Surprised Doctors

The medical realities of her case remain astonishing. Sharon later learned that the tumor had shifted her brain 15 millimeters to the left, far beyond what many would consider survivable, while sitting behind her eye socket and pressing toward her spine. Yet she experienced none of the severe pain, vision loss, or outward symptoms often expected with such a condition.

Why Brain Tumor Awareness Matters

Now, as a survivor, Sharon is passionate about raising awareness during Brain Tumor Awareness Month (May). She stresses that her experience proves symptoms are not always obvious, and even healthy, active individuals can be affected. Because she never experienced the classic brain tumor warning signs like severe headaches, seizures, or blackouts, she wants others to understand the importance of listening to their bodies and seeking care when something feels off, even if the signs seem minor.

Grateful for the Care That Made Survival Possible

Above all, Sharon’s story is one of gratitude. She consistently points back to her care team, saying that Dr. Hargett, Bethany, and the entire Spine & Neuro and hospital staff were rooting for her throughout the process. She expresses heartfelt thanks, acknowledging that she would not be here without their expertise, dedication, and compassion.

Her journey stands as a powerful testament this Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Brain tumors can be silent. Early medical intervention saves lives. And hope, grounded in faith, resilience, and expert care, can carry patients through even the most unimaginable diagnoses.

(Photos courtesy Sharon Hester and Emileigh Miller)