Extraordinary Resilience
- TLC star Shauna Rae, 26, lives with pituitary dwarfism, a condition linked to her early battle with a brain tumor. She’s using her unique life journey to inspire others through an upcoming book focused on positivity and personal resilience.
- Diagnosed with a brain tumor at just six months old, Rae underwent surgery and chemotherapy to reach remission. The treatment impacted her growth hormone production, leading to lifelong physical effects.
- Brain tumors account for 85–90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). These tumors can be benign or malignant, with symptoms and treatment depending on their size, type, and location.
- Brain tumors aren’t always easy to detect. When symptoms do arise, they may include persistent headaches, memory lapses, confusion, imbalance, changes in vision, or noticeable shifts in mood and personality.
Her goal? To empower others to develop a resilient mindset that rises above adversity.
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Shauna’s upcoming book, The Making of Shauna Rae, aims to share her journey of overcoming life’s toughest moments and staying grounded in optimism.
“I am writing a book about my life experiences and journey to overcome the negative moments! I can’t wait to share my story more with y’all,” she wrote. “I am hoping this helped to spread positivity and show everyone they can make it through anything!”
Her condition, pituitary dwarfism, left her standing at 3 feet, 10 inches tall—something her TLC series explored in depth as it followed the challenges and triumphs of navigating adulthood in a child-sized body.
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Support from fans continues to pour in, including one user who wrote, “This is amazing, Shauna, proud of you and how far you’ve come, keep up the great work in all you do!!”
Medical experts affirm the emotional strategy behind Shauna’s outlook. Cedars-Sinai colorectal surgeon Dr. Zuri Murrell says that positivity isn’t just uplifting—it can improve outcomes for cancer patients.
WATCH: The Power of Positivity
“This is something,” Dr. Murrell explained. “It helps a cancer patient’s prognosis.”
“A positive attitude is really important,” he continued. “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer… I’m pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now, doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow,” he clarified, “but attitude matters.”
Shauna Rae’s story is more than inspiring—it’s a testament to inner strength, the power of perspective, and the healing potential of positivity.
Expert Resources for Brain Cancer
- When Lung Cancer Spreads to the Brain
- A Utah Brain Cancer Expert’s Quick Guide To The ‘Standard of Care’ Treatment Options For Glioblastoma
- Digital Guide: Dr. Randy Jensen from Utah’s Guide to Making Glioma Treatment Decisions
- Managing Glioblastoma Expectations and Exploring Treatment Options
- Radiosurgery Saves Brain Function in Patients Where Cancer’s Spread to Multiple Parts of Their Brain
Understanding Shauna’s Diagnosis
When Rae was six months old, she was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Rae’s cancer journey lasted for more than three years and included brain cancer surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
However, often, surgeons cannot get all of the cancer cells during surgery, so follow-up chemotherapy is usually recommended to get the remaining cancer cells. Her procedure helped her reach remission. Although she’s been in remission for years, there’s always a chance of her brain cancer returning.
During a 2022 episode of “I Am Shauna Rae,” she explained to her doctor that she frequently experienced migraines, which could be a symptom of a brain tumor. Her mom said at the time, doctors told her the cancer could always come back.
After undergoing brain cancer treatment, Rae’s mom noticed her daughter wasn’t growing, leading to her pituitary dwarfism diagnosis.
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine says pituitary dwarfism derives from a “deficiency of growth hormone or lack of peripheral action of growth hormone.”
Research published in the medical journal Pituitary, which focuses on clinical aspects of the pituitary gland, says, “Poor longitudinal growth and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is often a consequence of cancer treatment during childhood.”
What You Should Know About Brain Tumors and Glioblastoma
Brain tumors can significantly affect a person’s cognitive and physical health, depending on their size, type, and where they’re located in the brain. When these tumors grow large enough to disrupt normal central nervous system (CNS) functioning, they can compress nearby nerves, blood vessels, or tissues—often making it difficult to walk, maintain balance, or perform other everyday movements.
Tumors within the brain may be classified as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Among the malignant types, gliomas represent the most common form of aggressive primary brain tumors.
WATCH: The pros and cons of tumor treating fields.
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors make up 85–90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can be benign or malignant, with treatment and symptoms varying based on tumor type and location.
One particularly fast-moving form is glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma is considered a central nervous system (CNS) tumor, which means her brain tumor “grows and spreads very quickly,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
The prognosis for glioblastoma is especially sobering. According to the National Cancer Institute, patients who undergo treatment may live an average of 15 months—while those who go untreated may survive less than six.
While there is a five-year survival rate averaging 6 percent, those individuals will never be cancer-free. They must continue receiving radiation and chemotherapy for the rest of their lives.
Glioblastomas are notoriously difficult to treat. The challenge lies in the tumor’s cellular makeup: its cells are heterogeneous, meaning that each cell behaves differently and must be targeted individually to slow down tumor growth.
Even with surgical intervention, complete removal isn’t possible.
Surgery cannot remove all the cancer because the tumor burrows into the brain, so the tumor starts to grow again immediately after surgery.
This makes glioblastoma one of the most aggressive and complex brain tumors to manage—underscoring the need for ongoing medical care and emerging therapies to help improve outcomes for those diagnosed.
WATCH: Hope for Glioblastoma Research
Approaches to Treating Brain Tumors
The treatment path for brain cancer varies widely based on several key factors—including the tumor’s size, type, and grade.
Common therapies include:
- Surgery: To remove as much of the tumor as possible
- Radiation therapy: To destroy remaining cancer cells or slow growth
- Chemotherapy: To target and kill cancerous cells throughout the body
Choosing the right course of treatment is a deeply personal decision, best made in consultation with your medical team. Understanding your individual diagnosis is critical in exploring your options.
Understanding Your Prognosis
The likelihood of recovery—or prognosis—depends on a number of factors:
- The specific type of brain tumor
- Its growth rate
- Its location within the brain
- Genetic mutations in the tumor cells
- Whether the tumor can be fully removed through surgery
- Your overall health and resilience
Your doctor can help you navigate these factors and explain how they shape your treatment and recovery outlook.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with a brain tumor, consider asking:
- What type of brain tumor do I have, and what grade or stage is it?
- What treatment options are available for my specific diagnosis?
- Will additional tests or imaging be needed to track progress?
- Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
- How might treatment affect my daily life and activities?
- What are the risks and benefits of those treatments?
- What side effects might I expect, and how can they be managed?
- What is my prognosis?
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