Wilbraham man publishes book on brain cancer journey

Time now is 518, and this week is the International Brain Tumor Alliance's Brain Tumor Awareness Week, advocating for increased research and funding. I spoke with a Wilbraham native about his battle with brain cancer and how he's spreading hope to others. Ethan Gasteyer was getting ready to start medical school at the University of Connecticut when he received a life-altering diagnosis, a golf ball-sized tumor on the back of his brain. Six years later, he's turning his journey into something for someone else, a memoir detailing not only his battle with brain cancer, but the people by his side and the places where he grew up, the things that make Ethan, Ethan. I kind of started as... Journaling my thoughts and writing down what I was going through. Just did like little stories or little thoughts here and there. And then after a while, I realized I had a pretty good amount and people were suggesting I should write a book. And the response? He says it's been overwhelming. People are really liking it, it seems like. I knew family and friends would, but seeing like random people online post about it, it's really cool. Beyond his book, Ethan's taken to social media to share updates with those close to him, but also for people going through cancer treatment themselves. And with a medical background, he offers a unique perspective as both patient and doctor, rooted in scientific findings, but paired with unending faith. Once I started medical school, I kind of started to realize more and more about how We don't know that much about cancer. Medical school really showed me the reality. Medical school also helped him to better understand exactly what was going on in his head and how a treatment designed just for him is fighting back against the tumor. I had my tumor sample shipped from Boston to Germany. And in Germany, they analyze it for mutations and peptides and things that they can target. And so they produce a vaccine that's specific to my tumor. But it's no easy feat. He's receiving 14 doses, one every four to six weeks, all the way in Germany. In between those trips and while undergoing additional treatment in Boston, Ethan says he's focused on sharing his message, one of strength, resilience, and staying positive. I think ultimately that's what you have to do no matter what you're going through, no matter what you're encountering life right now. Positivity and hope are so important, and I hope we can get that out of my book. Working for you, Julia O'Keefe, 22 News.