It’s the end of a three-year journey that finished with Brad and Terry Zimmerman running 26.2-miles through the streets of Boston and raising more than $20,000 for the institution that once saved Brad’s life.
The Zimmermans successfully ran one of the most famous marathons in the world during a sweltering 80-degree day on April 16, just two years after surgery saved Brad’s life.
The couple showed their appreciation for the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, whose surgeon, Dr. Michael McKenna, and his team, successfully removed a 2.5-centimeter tumor from Brad’s brain on May 28, 2010.
The Zimmermans ran the marathon with the “Team Eye and Ear 2012” for MEEI and raised more than $20,000 for the organization’s neurology fellowship.
It’s been a long and interesting path for Brad and Terry since May 2010, when Brad was first diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) brain tumor. For months prior to the diagnosis, Brad noticed hearing in one ear was beginning to decline, which he said he thought was a side effect from working for years in law enforcement.
He didn’t think too much about it and despite his doctor telling him to get an MRI, he put it off. But when Brad tried to apply for an increase to his long-term care insurance, the company said he must get an MRI before he could be approved.
The couple, living in the Bahamas at the time, traveled to Washington, D.C., so Brad could get his MRI.
The MRI revealed the tumor.
Brad and Terry explored their options and settled on the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute for Brad to receive his treatment.
Brad had his 12-hour surgery on May 28, 2010.
Despite so many possible side effects, Brad came through and doesn’t suffer from any major health problems stemming from the procedure.
It was an emotional day for both Brad and Terri, as Brad was finally able to join his wife in the marathon and complete the race together and in good health.
“It was just a very satisfying experience and just a close to a chapter in my life. It’s hard to explain, I’ve been living with this for two years, and the first year when Terri ran it was impossible for me to do so. I thought maybe I could run it next year, so I started walking 15 minutes in the house, and just overtime dealing with my pain issues, starting to run again and gaining confidence,” he said. “I just kept getting better and better, I had no idea I’d be able to get there, but over time I could see the improvement. I could feel myself getting better and I knew I could do it again.”
Terri completed the marathon by herself last year, running and raising funds for MEEI, while Brad recovered from surgery.
Together, the Zimmermans ran the 2012 Boston Marathon with a time of 5 hours and 33 minutes and raised $21,000 for the clinic.
Overall, MEEI exceeded its goal of raising $350,000, Brad said.
It was inspiring to watch Terry finish the marathon last year, Brad said, but so uplifting to be able to compete in the world famous race and finish the competition side-by-side with his wife.
“Watching Terry finish Boston last year was really exciting, but being able to run and finish with her as a Team Eye and Ear member this year was incredibly special,” he said. “The community support of the Boston Marathon is second to none. The community came out en masse with hoses, ice cubes, drinks, food, and of course cheers to keep us all going.”
Terry and Brad thanked everyone who made contributions to MEEI. Your generosity will have a positive impact on the lives of future patients, he said.
Those who wish to donate can still do so by sending checks made out to “Foundation of MEEI, Inc.” at Kristina Sym, Development Office, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St., Boston, Mass., 02114.
Anyone who would like to join Team Eye and Ear for the 2013 Boston Marathon can contact Sym at marathon@meei.harvard.edu or by calling (617) 573–6364.
