BY DANA JENNINGS
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Cory Los Schumacher

During the fall semester, freshman Cory Los Schumacher, had a lot on his plate, from beginning of his term as freshman class president to impending brain surgery.

This current semester the stakes may not include his life, but he has no desire to sit back and take it easy.

“This semester I plan on putting the pedal to the metal with planning and events that should be memorable for everyone,” said Los Schumacher.

While in an airport in Buffalo, New York last August, Los Schumacher was given a phone call that would change his life.  He was not to board the plane to go to Ecuador on a SERVE trip with his classmates; his doctors had found a tumor on his brain.  The scientific name is Pleomorphic XanthoAstrocytoma, which is an incredibly rare tumor that presses on the brain and causes additional hormones and chemicals to be delivered into the body, also affecting the person’s personality.

Some of his classmates would recognize the symptoms of this tumor; anger, depression, loneliness and retreating to introversion.

“I felt that the world was against me, even my own family…I didn’t tell anybody that didn’t need to know,” said Los Schumacher.

He was forced to take actions that many class officers never even fathom, as he had to leave on Thanksgiving break and didn’t return to Saint Leo University until after the semester ended.  Because of this he had to work extra hard in his classes and with his professors, and ultimately he had to draft a resignation letter from his office for a contingency plan.

“One of the biggest challenges at the time was stepping in front of the Senate and my class and letting them know I was possibly facing death,” responded Los Schumacher when asked about the plans.

Three days before Thanksgiving, Los Schumacher went into surgery under the care of Dr. William Fenstemaker, whom he credits with saving his life.  His personal physician, Dr. Laszlo Mechtler, was with him until the day of his surgery and continues treatment and care presently.  The Roswell Park Cancer Institute is the facility that oversaw much of Los Schumacher’s situation, and he is planning on having a benefit for Roswell Park to help garner awareness and to assist in the battle against this terrible disease.  At the end of the surgery, the majority of the tumor had been removed, and with an MRI scheduled for March the prognosis is remarkably optimistic.

Los Schumacher has passed this test of endurance and will, but he would like to concentrate on pressing forward into the New Year and new semester.  He would, however, like to address his issues from last semester.

“I am sorry, it was a very difficult time…I came off as rude, unhappy, and overall just depressing.  I’m not like that, and I do not want people to get the wrong impression.  If anyone has questions or concerns, they can contact me…I am very open, everyone is more than welcome to ask anything,” said Los Schumacher.

A brain tumor is an affliction that could have terrible effects on a person’s outlook on life, but Los Schumacher is optimistic yet cautionary.  He states, “This has taught me to appreciate the life I have, and not to worry about the small stuff.  And I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I have gone through.”

Saint Leo University can look forward to a semester of motion, and a sense of life.  With leaders like Los Schumacher determined to drive the university to bigger and better places, good times may be ahead.
Cory Los Schumacher can be reached at cory.losschumacher@email.saintleo.edu

Roswell Park Cancer Institute can be found at http://www.roswellpark.org/ and accepts donations.