How a Young Basketball Player Fought a Brain Tumor and Rebuilt His Life: Andrew Papenfus’ Inspiring Journey
Two summers ago, 22-year-old Andrew Papenfus was at Santa Clara University doing what he loved most—coaching kids at a summer basketball camp. The junior student-athlete, a 6'6" forward known for his energy and athleticism, was in great health and enjoying life.
But in a split second, everything changed.
As he took a shot and moved for the rebound, Andrew suddenly collapsed on the court. What looked like a simple fall turned out to be a severe seizure—the first sign of a hidden battle growing inside his brain.
A Shocking Diagnosis
Doctors at a nearby hospital quickly ran tests. A CT scan and later an MRI revealed something Andrew never expected at his age: a brain tumor.
The news was devastating, but Andrew was not alone. Coaches—his second family—were with him as he learned the truth. His parents, though not there physically, were in close contact with the medical team. One nurse even happened to know Andrew’s father, an ER doctor in Colorado, which gave the family some comfort in a frightening moment.
The on-call neurosurgeon recommended a biopsy the very next day to determine the nature of the tumor.
Facing a Brain Biopsy at 22
Although the thought of brain surgery was terrifying, Andrew felt supported. Because the biopsy required only a small tissue sample, recovery was quicker than he feared. After a day or two in the hospital waiting anxiously for results, he finally got the diagnosis:
Grade 2 astrocytoma — a slow-growing but serious brain tumor.
It wasn’t clearly cancerous, but it definitely needed to be removed.
That’s when Andrew was referred to Dr. Mitchel Berger, a world-renowned neurosurgeon at UCSF.
Life Between Surgeries: Trying to Stay “Normal”
Surprisingly, Andrew felt physically fine after the biopsy. He even returned to basketball two weeks later. But he wasn’t out of danger.
He experienced another seizure—again on the basketball court. That moment forced him to slow down, think deeply, and prepare for the difficult choices ahead.
Meeting Dr. Berger: Honest Conversations and Hard Decisions
From the moment Andrew met the UCSF team, he felt confident and understood. Dr. Berger talked to him not just as a patient, but as a young athlete with dreams and goals.
The tumor needed to be removed—but the timing was Andrew’s choice.
As a walk-on player who had worked tirelessly to become team captain, he didn’t want to lose his season. At first, he planned to postpone the surgery until after basketball ended.
For weeks, he wrestled with the decision.
But ultimately, Andrew chose his long-term health.
He wanted a future beyond basketball—a future that included being a husband, a father, and a healthy adult.
Preparing for Surgery: Fear, Patience, and Faith
His original surgery date was delayed due to a fever, which gave him more time to process everything. By the time he returned for the rescheduled procedure, Andrew was mentally ready.
He said goodbye to his family, took a deep breath, and was put under anesthesia.
Awake Brain Surgery: A Remarkable Experience
Andrew’s surgery was unique—he had to be awake for part of it.
This technique helps surgeons ensure they aren’t damaging areas of the brain responsible for movement or speech. Because Andrew’s tumor was close to the region controlling his right leg, the medical team needed him alert enough to respond.
During surgery, Andrew even had a seizure, which Dr. Berger had warned could happen. To stop it, doctors poured a cold solution on his brain—a sensation Andrew felt as cold water splashing on his legs due to the brain’s wiring.
After 4–5 hours, the operation was complete.
Dr. Berger had successfully removed 100% of the tumor.
Recovery: Fighting Back, One Step at a Time
To remove the entire tumor, surgeons had to slightly enter functional brain tissue, causing temporary weakness in Andrew’s right foot. For an athlete, this was frightening.
For three days, he couldn’t move his foot at all.
But Andrew fought back with immediate physical therapy, braces for support, and constant effort. His mother stayed with him for a month, and Santa Clara University housed them on campus during his recovery.
Slowly, movement returned. Strength returned. Hope returned.
Mental Strength and Support
Emotionally, Andrew leaned heavily on:
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His strong faith
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His family
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His friends
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His girlfriend, Dani, whom he calls his biggest source of strength
He reminded himself daily not to fear the unknown.
“Worry is interest on a debt you may never pay,” he would say to himself.
His gratitude grew with every step toward recovery—and every moment he got to step back on the court.
Life Today: Healthy, Hopeful, and Moving Forward
Today, Andrew feels great. He’s a college graduate with a bright future ahead.
While there’s always a possibility the tumor could return, the chances are low. He still experiences occasional mild seizures, likely caused by scar tissue, but they’re nothing like that terrifying first episode.
He is active, independent, and able to do everything he wants in life.
Most importantly, he hopes his story reminds others—especially young people dealing with medical challenges—that:
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