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Brain Storms: My Life with a Brain Tumour - A Family Doctor's Memoir
A poignant, darkly funny, and hopeful memoir of the psychological impact of illness from a retired New Brunswick doctor.
Sharon McCutcheon was a busy family doctor in Sussex, New Brunswick, when she learned she had a brain tumour. Growing up with a chronically ill father and a severely depressed mother had led her to become a caregiver, a healer―a doctor. But while striving to provide the best care for her patients, she had ignored her own health. Her life was already chaotic and, at times, overwhelmingly stressful. The mother of three was burnt out, sleepless, and terrified that the life she had built was suddenly crumbling.
This is not just the story of a doctor with a brain tumour, or how a brain tumour and seizures led to the end of her career. It?s also about beginnings―how our childhood determines our coping skills during life-changing events. It?s about mothers and daughters passing traumatic experiences down through the generations?creating strength and resilience despite family dysfunction. Ultimately, it?s about recognizing that people are complex and that every illness has a psychological impact.
It's also a story of how humour can heal, or at least make a bad situation more bearable. Can living with a brain tumour be funny? Turns out it can be. With dry wit and frank honesty, McCutcheon pieces together her compelling story through personal journals, medical records, and e-mails, and through conversations with doctors, nurses, family, and friends. Rounded out with black and white photos provided by the author, Brain Storms paints a vivid picture of what it's like to lose control of your own brain.
Sharon McCutcheon was a busy family doctor in Sussex, New Brunswick, when she learned she had a brain tumour. Growing up with a chronically ill father and a severely depressed mother had led her to become a caregiver, a healer―a doctor. But while striving to provide the best care for her patients, she had ignored her own health. Her life was already chaotic and, at times, overwhelmingly stressful. The mother of three was burnt out, sleepless, and terrified that the life she had built was suddenly crumbling.
This is not just the story of a doctor with a brain tumour, or how a brain tumour and seizures led to the end of her career. It?s also about beginnings―how our childhood determines our coping skills during life-changing events. It?s about mothers and daughters passing traumatic experiences down through the generations?creating strength and resilience despite family dysfunction. Ultimately, it?s about recognizing that people are complex and that every illness has a psychological impact.
It's also a story of how humour can heal, or at least make a bad situation more bearable. Can living with a brain tumour be funny? Turns out it can be. With dry wit and frank honesty, McCutcheon pieces together her compelling story through personal journals, medical records, and e-mails, and through conversations with doctors, nurses, family, and friends. Rounded out with black and white photos provided by the author, Brain Storms paints a vivid picture of what it's like to lose control of your own brain.
232 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 19, 2026
Brainstorms is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Sharon McCutcheon has an incredible voice. She’s witty, self-aware, and completely authentic. She writes exactly as she thinks, making you feel as though you’re inside her head, which is a beautifully ironic way to experience a memoir about a brain tumor. It never feels like you’re reading a story after the fact, you feel as though you’re living each moment alongside her. I found myself completely invested in every setback, every victory, every fear, and every triumph, rooting for her from beginning to end.
While the book chronicles a life-altering diagnosis, what resonated with me most was Sharon herself. Her resilience is remarkable. She offers an honest look at what it means to be a successful woman, a leader, and the head of a household while navigating something unimaginable. There are no perfect, polished moments- just real ones - and that’s what makes this book so powerful. Her vulnerability invites you in, and by the end, you feel like you’ve walked every step of the journey with her.
One of the most touching parts of the book was the way she wrote about her mother. Their relationship is portrayed with such honesty and complexity that it adds another deeply emotional layer to an already unforgettable story.
I closed this book feeling awed, inspired, and with a much deeper appreciation for the invisible weight so many women carry, even with an army of friends and family willing to help. It also gave me an entirely new appreciation for the people in medicine, especially those serving smaller communities. I had never really considered how profoundly a career like that can shape, and at times consume, a person’s life. That insight alone will stay with me and I think I’ll be a little more patient the next time a doctor is running behind for my appointment.
I truly couldn’t put this book down. If you’re looking for a memoir that’s funny, heartfelt, beautifully written, and profoundly human, I can’t recommend it enough.
Sharon McCutcheon has an incredible voice. She’s witty, self-aware, and completely authentic. She writes exactly as she thinks, making you feel as though you’re inside her head, which is a beautifully ironic way to experience a memoir about a brain tumor. It never feels like you’re reading a story after the fact, you feel as though you’re living each moment alongside her. I found myself completely invested in every setback, every victory, every fear, and every triumph, rooting for her from beginning to end.
While the book chronicles a life-altering diagnosis, what resonated with me most was Sharon herself. Her resilience is remarkable. She offers an honest look at what it means to be a successful woman, a leader, and the head of a household while navigating something unimaginable. There are no perfect, polished moments- just real ones - and that’s what makes this book so powerful. Her vulnerability invites you in, and by the end, you feel like you’ve walked every step of the journey with her.
One of the most touching parts of the book was the way she wrote about her mother. Their relationship is portrayed with such honesty and complexity that it adds another deeply emotional layer to an already unforgettable story.
I closed this book feeling awed, inspired, and with a much deeper appreciation for the invisible weight so many women carry, even with an army of friends and family willing to help. It also gave me an entirely new appreciation for the people in medicine, especially those serving smaller communities. I had never really considered how profoundly a career like that can shape, and at times consume, a person’s life. That insight alone will stay with me and I think I’ll be a little more patient the next time a doctor is running behind for my appointment.
I truly couldn’t put this book down. If you’re looking for a memoir that’s funny, heartfelt, beautifully written, and profoundly human, I can’t recommend it enough.
August 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Nimbus for a copy of this book.
5/5 stars
Plot: memoir of a family doctor diagnosed with a brain tumor
Impression: Dr McCutcheon is an absolute poet. The beauty and imagery of her writing is so moving. She perfectly conveys the stress and pressure of a woman in the medical field. I’m not a doctor but a nurse practitioner as related so much to her experience. While nothing as serious as a brain tumor and seizures, I suffered a concussion while working in family practice. No one told me to take time off, it wasn’t offered- even as I returned to work the next day with sutures and a black eye. The overwhelming feeling of being unable to stop since you’ll get more and more behind gives me anxiety to this day. She related that perfectly. This book is a must read for patients and medical professionals and would be a great source of encouragement for those navigating a similar diagnosis. She writes with humor and insight on a difficult topic.
Trigger Warnings: brief mentions of suicidal thoughts
Star System: 5 star reads are books I can’t put down and/or make me cry. This is a book that will stick with me for either the topic, writing style, or emotional impact.
4 star books are unique or interesting and perhaps teach me something new. A feel good read is usually 4 stars.
3 star reads are good, solid books. I’m not necessarily learning or feeling anything new.
2 star books have some plot holes or timeline issues. These are the books that just aren’t believable.
1 star books are typically offensive
5/5 stars
Plot: memoir of a family doctor diagnosed with a brain tumor
Impression: Dr McCutcheon is an absolute poet. The beauty and imagery of her writing is so moving. She perfectly conveys the stress and pressure of a woman in the medical field. I’m not a doctor but a nurse practitioner as related so much to her experience. While nothing as serious as a brain tumor and seizures, I suffered a concussion while working in family practice. No one told me to take time off, it wasn’t offered- even as I returned to work the next day with sutures and a black eye. The overwhelming feeling of being unable to stop since you’ll get more and more behind gives me anxiety to this day. She related that perfectly. This book is a must read for patients and medical professionals and would be a great source of encouragement for those navigating a similar diagnosis. She writes with humor and insight on a difficult topic.
Trigger Warnings: brief mentions of suicidal thoughts
Star System: 5 star reads are books I can’t put down and/or make me cry. This is a book that will stick with me for either the topic, writing style, or emotional impact.
4 star books are unique or interesting and perhaps teach me something new. A feel good read is usually 4 stars.
3 star reads are good, solid books. I’m not necessarily learning or feeling anything new.
2 star books have some plot holes or timeline issues. These are the books that just aren’t believable.
1 star books are typically offensive
August 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
This was extremely well written.
I thought that she mixed in her story of a brain tumour and seizures along with stories about her own patients. Deeper was her history with her own mother.....late in the book she says "I am becoming my mother." It is not news that a high percentage of us turn into our father or mother.
I did find that she really tried to insert humour into the story. However, as the story went on, the humour went away. Did that occur because the situation became more and more difficult for her and it was purposeful or just a natural negative feelings that started to show.
From start to finish, this book will speak to a lot of people. Right from the beginning, when she new something was wrong, but assumed it was not serious, to the hopes of a procedure, to the setbacks.
This book shows real and raw emotion.
One of the things I really liked were the journal notes at the beginning of chapters. It set the tone for the chapter and increased the personal nature of the story.
The only negative, was that there were some dragging moments in a fairly short book. However, these were short moments and gained my interest again quickly.
This was extremely well written.
I thought that she mixed in her story of a brain tumour and seizures along with stories about her own patients. Deeper was her history with her own mother.....late in the book she says "I am becoming my mother." It is not news that a high percentage of us turn into our father or mother.
I did find that she really tried to insert humour into the story. However, as the story went on, the humour went away. Did that occur because the situation became more and more difficult for her and it was purposeful or just a natural negative feelings that started to show.
From start to finish, this book will speak to a lot of people. Right from the beginning, when she new something was wrong, but assumed it was not serious, to the hopes of a procedure, to the setbacks.
This book shows real and raw emotion.
One of the things I really liked were the journal notes at the beginning of chapters. It set the tone for the chapter and increased the personal nature of the story.
The only negative, was that there were some dragging moments in a fairly short book. However, these were short moments and gained my interest again quickly.
August 1, 2026
This is a book that stayed with me whilst I was reading it and will probably continue to do so. It’s an honest account of dealing with a brain tumour and the aftermath that brings with it. I find the lack of support afterwards when she returned to work quite scary and I hope some lessons continue to be learnt there in the profession. I am glad for her though that she learnt her own importance and the priority of looking after herself. This is a valuable book. Thanks to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews