was given a CAT scan, which is a device for taking X·rays of the head. Then the tumor was dis· covered. 'The lady that was tak· ing the X·ray had to go twice because she couldn't believe how big it was," he said. " It was the size of a peach and it cover· ed the whole left side of my brain. I only had two weeks to live if I didn't have an operation." That was May 28, 1981. Five days later Johnny underwent surgery at Baptist Memorial Hospital. For 11 hours, three neurosurgeons. two eye specialists, a respiratory doctor and several others worked to remove the tumor . It was benign, but the size of the tumor made the surgery particularly delicate. Even with surgery, Johnny was not expected to be normal. " I had a 20 percent chance to live. If I did live I'd be a vegetable, I wouldn't be able to walk, I'd be blind, I wouldn't hear, I wouldn't talk." No one told Johnny just what his chances were. "They said I hod a tumor behind my left eye, and I asked to see the X·ray, so I knew it wasn't just behind my left eye," he said. " I asked the doctor a few questions. I didn't ask him if I was going to die, I just asked him if it was cancer and he said no. He just said I'm going to have to have surgery and he said, 'I'm sorry, son: I guess he assumed I knew that the odds of me living weren't too much." During surgery his heartbeat accelerated to 200 beats per minute and his blood pressure soared. Afterwards he lay coma· tose for f ive days; he suffered a stroke during the coma. After regaining consciousness, Johnny recovered quick· Iy. Most people recuperating from brain surgery spend three months in the hospi tal ; Johnny spent three weeks. Johnny's hospital cuisine in· cluded Big Macs. 'They were trying to get me to say words when I first woke up, and all I could say was 'boc,' and they thought I meant Big Mac." Johnny added, "What I really meant was a Quarter Pounder." Johnny attributes his remark· able recovery to prayer. "It was the Father in heaven that pulled me through, and prayer. Johnny attributes his remark· able recovery to prayer. "It was the Father In heavan that pulled me through, and prayer. Here in Searcy I heard they announced it on the radio. It's just amazing how many people were praying for me. They were praying for me practically all over the United States. " His determination, he feels, also sped his recovery. "I said 'I'm gonn. get well ' and I did. When I woke up I said, 'I'm go· ing home: When I got home I said, 'I'm goi ng to college: I'm here, and I'm going to pass:' He carried a 12·hour course load during the fall semester. Although the tumor is gone, Johnny is not out of danger yet. The tumor left a hole in his skull ; if he catches a cold, the infection could penetraie the hole and cause spinal meningit· Amy McLain - Gl endale, AZ Lawrence McNutt - Forrest City , AR Anne Pike - Springv ille , IN William Means - Mt. Dora , FL Melinda Medlin - Terrell , TX Dwight Melson - Norcross, GA Mary Mengelberg - Louisvi lle, KY James Meredi th - Corn ing , AR Judy Merrill - Scarborough, ME Susan Melz - London, AR Janice Milford - McAlister, OK Deborah Milhoan - Williamstown , WV Jennifer Miller - Marietta, GA Michael Miller · Beave rcreek , OH Norman Miller - McComb, MS Timothy Miller · Gai nesville, FL Carlon MlIIs . Seabrook , MD Brenda Mitchell · Waynesboro, VA Tonya Mitchell · Holly Springs, MS Nikle Mondlch . Ketchikan, AK Ronald Moore · Dallas, TX is, which could be fatal. The hole will heal in about a year. Johnny took tests to see if he was capable of returning to school. "My IQ test was normal," he said. "It will still go up. which is unusual because when I woke up I think I was retarded. " He also took manual dexterity tests and a drawing test, on which he made a per· fect score. Beside occasional head · aches. an expected conse· quence of brain surgery, Johnny is healthy. He no longer limps. He says he draws three times better than he used to. He used to slur his speech; his voice has become cleared and deeper. One of the problems Johnny faces is the way people react with him. "A lot of people are scared to ta lk to me when they find out what happened, which is human nature," he said. ' 'I've accepted it. It makes me lonely sometimes; I wish people would talk to me. They just don't know what to say. I guess they're afraid I lost part of my brain:' Johnny is here, with all of the brain he was born with. He must avoid vigorous physical activity and even frustration, but that does not prevent him from liv· ing and enjoying life. Abilities may come slowly now, but they will come. "Like the doctors say, in good time, " Johnny said. If he says he will do it, he will do It. That's the way things are with Johnny Cravens. ~ - Laura Brown Mart in-Moore 169
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