My Minnesota Public Radio debut

20Jul12

Back on January 18, I blogged about my two-year tumorversary. “I’ve tried very hard not to let it be the thing that defines me, the thing that shapes my life. But the knowledge has changed me irrevocably,” I wrote.

“In some ways it’s been a gift,” I continued. And there have been many gifts, indeed: A greater appreciation for my husband, my family and friends; a greater sense of purpose; a stronger desire to live.

But of all the gifts, the most unexpected so far has been the honor of appearing on Minnesota Public Radio.

I’ve been an MPR listener since I moved here in my mid-teens, so I was thrilled to get a note from a producer who had read my post. “Would you like to try making an audio commentary out of it?” he wrote. “SQUUEEEAAAALLL!!” I answered. Well, not really. But that pretty much sums up my internal dialogue.

“Here’s a step-by-step process,” he wrote back. “1. I’ll adapt your blog post into a commentary and send it to you for review. 2. You come into the MPR studios and record it. 3. We put it on the air and we all become famous.” That sounded mighty fine to me, you betcha.

I went to the MPR studios on July 9 and gave the microphone my three best takes.

Yesterday I got the much-awaited news. “… it looks as if your commentary will air between 5:30 and 5:45.”

I’ll admit I was less than eager to hear my own recorded voice. (It’s reminiscent of a hamster with a helium habit.) But I’m thrilled to have had such an extraordinary experience. Sitting in that studio was one of my favorite Minnesota moments yet.

The program has already aired, but you can still hear my segment online. As always, thanks for reading — and listening.

Filed under: Brain tumor, Minnesota, On this day in history, Psychology   |  6 Comments
Tags: astrocytoma, Brain tumor, Heather Munro, Heather Munro wordpress, Minnesota Public Radio, MPR