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As Funny as a Brain Tumor! Part 15

The next morning, our last day in Disney, I woke up to my kids talking to each other.  I sat up in bed and just looked at them.  There voices sounded normal.  I couldn’t believe it.  Matter of fact, I didn’t believe it. I put on the radio, it sounded normal. I was so excited and happy but I still didn’t say anything to my wife because I was afraid I was mistaken.  What if it was still messed up?  About 15 minutes later I told my wife. I then shared with her the whole story about the prayer I had prayed.  She didn’t seemed impressed.  I was shocked and in awe that God had actually performed a miracle for me and answered my prayer.  She just smiled and said “Of course, he does that all the time”. I just looked at her amazed at her faith.  ”Not like this” I said.  We went home later that day and I was one happy camper.

For the last 5 years things have gone pretty smoothly.  Normal life stuff. Nothing to write a blog about.  I’m happy about that!  I don’t know the why behind all the things in this story and I doubt I ever will but part of me thinks this last story was  so very important to me and my journey.  You see as you could probably tell as I told the story, I was growing increasingly more and more negative.  Many times I doubted if God existed .  Other times I thought “Well if he does exist, he’s kind of a jerk”.  Other times I thought “Well if he does exist, he could care less about me”.   For me this last act was huge.  I know many of you who are reading this might be thinking it was just a coincidence and God had nothing to do with it.  I just happened to pray that prayer the night before my hearing was to return to normal.  Believe me, many times I have even thought that myself.  But I keep coming back to that prayer that I said.  I laid it all out like I never had before.  I told him that if I were to see him work immediately then there would be no question in my mind.  He did exist and he does care about me. He is involved in my life and working and moving.  The next morning, I woke up and was cured.  You might think it was a coincidence but I like to believe it was something else.

Since that time in 2005 life has been good.  My girls are getting bigger everyday.  I’ve had many fun and happy times with them. More than I can count.  I’ve had great times with my wife who is my best friend. We bought a house that we all love and feel lucky to live in.  I feel very grateful.  Very grateful.

I had someone ask me once if I had any regrets?  Would I go back and change something from my past if I had the power to do so?  Without even thinking about it I said “No”. I wouldn’t change a thing. Brain tumor,cancer,bacterial meningitis,TEN,headaches,shunt even depression.  Those things have all worked to make me who I am today.  They have all brought me to to this place.  It feels good to be here.  I don’t want to leave this place.  I’m afraid that if I were to change one thing in the past then that would change where I am and who I am right now.  I like this place. No thanks. I’ll stay right here.

I’m not sure what the future holds.  I’m not sure if I’m out of the woods yet.  I pray daily that none of my girls take after me with health issues.  That’s my biggest fear.  Every time one of them says they have a headache I get scared.  I’m hopeful though. It’s out of my hands.  There is nothing I can do. About me and my future or about them and their futures. All we can do is the best that we can and at a certain point we all come to a point where we are to weak to handle things ourselves.  Some people never get to that point until they are lying on their deathbed.  Some people have too many of those moments through out their lives.  I do believe that if we can look at those moments with the right perspective we can learn a lot about ourselves and the people around us.  There were many times during this story that I thought I was cursed.  Now as I write this story out, I have a different view, maybe I am one of the luckiest people on earth.  I think it’s matter of perspective.

Like I wrote earlier in the story, I’m writing this to those of you out there that will read it and get something out of it.  I’m not even sure what you will get out of it and I  have already received many emails from people who were touched, moved or inspired in ways that I had not anticipated.     I do pray for those of you out there that are in a dark place.  I’ve been there and know how how sad and lonely it can be.  I pray and hope that you can and will come out the other side and end up in a place that is good to be in.  A place that you yourselves don’t want to leave.   Take Care,    Steve

Neff Family

Steve & Brenda with Sarah,Melissa, Jillian and dog Tucker

14 Responses to “As Funny as a Brain Tumor! Part 15”

  • Susan Forbes says:

    Thanks for this.

  • Sonia says:

    Wow Steve,
    I can’t even say anything else. Just Wow.

  • Robert & Lezanne Brunsdon says:

    We have been avidly reading your blogs and feel you are a truly inspirational person to have gone through all your trials and to have come out the other side without being bitter. We know a little about the awful trauma of life threatening illness as our 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukaemia two years ago. We spent 8 months in hospital with her whilst she underwent chemotherapy. She is still in remission and doing well but that experience has affected and still affects our lives. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and we wish you and your family continued good health.

  • Sean Kelly says:

    Thanks for sharing your story Steve. You are an incredibly strong individual! You have my respect for having the attitude you do after having gone through what you did. Inspirational!

    Take care.

  • Michele Perella says:

    Steve, Thank you for the poignant reflection of your journey so far. Your mother was kind enough to allow me (and I’m sure others) the privilege of learning from your trials. I do know the depths of depression and you so eloquently expressed them. I also am beginning to understand the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Again, my thanks.

  • Keith Troutt says:

    I stumbled upon your site a few years ago and purchased some of your books but I never read any of your blog post until today. I’m really glad I did. Thanks for the courage to share your story. It was an inspiration to me.

    Blessings

  • Mike says:

    Hey Steve,
    I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know you were blogging about your personal history with cancer and depression.

    I feel very blessed to have an awesome brother-in-law such as yourself! It’s been so much fun working with you on this website! You have made it a fantastic resource for many people.

    Talk to you soon,
    Mike K.

    PS> Who took that awesome picture of your family??? :? )

  • steve says:

    Thanks Mike. http://www.laurakleinphotography.com as if you didn’t know…………..

  • Martin T. mc Donnell says:

    Hello Steve,

    Your life has been an incredible journey! So many people live the horrors of life and can never share the experience. Thank you for sharing and teaching us the value of God, family, love and perseverance. Your strength, your family’s strength is a wonder to behold! To ultimately realize a happy ending is your final blessing!

  • Honeyboy says:

    Well, I just got around to reading the last few installments and was totally blessed to see how God healed you and that you aren’t afraid or ashamed to give Him the glory. Your website and contributions to SOTW are always informative and interesting, although you really haven’t been much help in me losing my mouthpiece G.A.S.!! LOL
    God bless you.

  • steve says:

    Thanks Honeyboy. I appreciate the thoughts and well wishes. Steve

  • Mike Abraham says:

    Steve,

    I just stumbled upon these posts after downloading my monthly lessons. It’s a stunning and humbling story that makes me feel utterly unworthy of my good fortune. Never again will I complain about my petty travails and trivial inconveniences.

    Good luck to you in the years ahead. No one deserves it more.

    Mike

  • Justin says:

    Hi Steve, I have just read ‘As funny as a brain tumor!’ in two sittings this afternoon, (I’m over here in London), I couldn’t put it down, so to speak. Wow, I can’t believe one person went through all that. Your story made me laugh and cry and it really would make a good film, espeacially as you have come out of it so strong. I am sure you have a long, healthy and happy life ahead of you now. All the best to you from the UK Steve. Justin.

  • steve says:

    Thanks Justin. I appreciate the well wishes. The doctors are actually talking to me about back surgery now…………..It never ends.

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