Founder

MY STORY MY DIAGNOSIS DOES NOT DEFINE ME dan-founder

Message From The Founder

My Story

My name is Daniel Hight, and I am the founder of More Than Our Story. On December 17th, 2020, my life changed forever. I was a 39-year-old single father working at my desk when I suddenly experienced a seizure during a video call with colleagues. I remember the seizure starting and hearing my colleagues’ voices rising in concern: “Call 911!” I struggled to breathe as my body shook, but I also felt a strange calm. That moment made me realize there was more to my story.

I recall struggling for air as my body shook, but I also remember a sense of calmness. I knew then there was more to my story.

Initial Diagnosis

Paramedics arrived quickly, loaded me into the ambulance, and transported me to the hospital. Tests started immediately, and by sunset, I received life-changing news – I had a brain tumor. After an overnight stay, I was transferred to another hospital, where an MRI confirmed the diagnosis: a plum-sized tumor in the left frontal lobe. I met with a neurosurgeon who advised urgent removal through an awake craniotomy. Because of the tumor’s location, this method would maximize removal while minimizing the risk of lasting damage to my speech or motor skills.

Pre-Surgery

In the coming weeks, I unexpectedly faced my mortality sooner than I had expected. I never saw death as certain; it always felt distant. As the surgery approached, I remained positive, refusing to dwell on negative thoughts. I was at peace with my mortality. Before the operation, I took care of my affairs. At the hospital entrance, COVID-19 rules prevented my dad from entering. I turned to him, hugged him, and said, “I’ve got this.” Then, I entered with a smile, feeling calm and at peace.

Surgery

On January 13th, 2021, I underwent an awake craniotomy. I remember nearly the entire procedure. They secured my head to prevent movement. The surgeons cut open my head, exposed my skull, and removed part of it, revealing my brain. During this time, my role was crucial—I provided real-time feedback as they stimulated areas around my tumor and observed my responses. Was I coherent? Was I seizing? Could I answer their questions? I did my best despite the noise of the surgical tools inside my head. 

The surgery was a success. The surgeons removed as much of the tumor as possible while keeping long-term health risks acceptable. I experienced limited speech and almost no control of the right side of my body, and I had 50 staples across my head, which I see as a daily reminder of this journey. But I was alive; I had survived. After a few nights in the hospital, I was discharged home, where the next phase of my recovery began.

Rehabilitation

The following weeks and months were the most challenging of my journey. Known for my determination and all-or-nothing approach, I found it frustrating not to be able to get out of bed or speak. With help from rehabilitation specialists, I gradually regained some of my verbal, physical, and mental faculties. I had to relearn basic daily tasks like bathing, cooking, and shaving. Surprisingly, what upset me most was not knowing whether I’d ever be able to flip an egg in a pan again. Eventually, I received the biopsy results — Astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer. It’s incurable but treatable, and having a diagnosis finally gave me clarity.

 

At that moment, I realized I wanted to make the most of my life and inspire others to live fully. I committed to getting stronger, starting with simple goals like walking to the end of the street and around the block. Each day, I improved both physically and mentally. Soon, I was walking 10 km sessions and then began using a treadmill. By December 2021, I had completed a half-IRONMAN. Mentally, I still face challenges: my memory isn’t as sharp, overstimulation affects me, and my speech sometimes falters, but I have developed coping strategies. Physically, I am now in the best shape of my life and am a multiple-time IRONMAN.

 

That’s the way forward - figure out what works for you and do your best.

Treatment Options

With my physical strength back, it was time to discuss further treatment options. We decided to delay radiation and chemotherapy to wait for a clinical trial that began in early 2022. In the meantime, MRIs every 3 months monitor my tumor; if any growth is detected, we’ll reassess.

More Than My Story

After my surgery, I was fortunate to reconnect with an old romantic interest, and we began this journey together. I was eager to give back but unsure how. We kept reflecting on the idea until it took shape. It wasn’t only about sharing my story – I wanted to create a platform for others to share theirs.

More Than Our Story

Thus began More Than Our Story—a company dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. Through educational articles on health, fitness, and recipes, it became a way to give back and share knowledge. The most important part would be the profiles—inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Not just those who have overcome insurmountable obstacles or struggle with terrible diseases, I highlight people whose stories inspire us all. Knowing that our stories aren’t unique makes us stronger and makes all the difference. None of us should ever feel alone.

Our Causes

The final part of our mission is giving back. We give back because it’s our responsibility to care for one another. When you purchase an item on our website, we donate a set amount from each purchase toward the currently featured causes of your choice.

We always maintain our three core causes: physical health, mental health, and the environment.