Have you thought of getting a second opinion? Did the doctor specifically say the surgery would be 8 hours? I was told by 3 doctors that my meningioma was in a tricky location, difficult to access, (and that is why 2 of those 3 doctors said surgery was not an option) but the 3rd doctor I consulted at UCSF , who did the surgery, did it in less than 4 hours. And my meningioma was totally resected, although the other two aforementined doctors who did not do the surgery also questioned if that were possible, that being the total removal of it. I've stated this before, I have had 2 mastectomies 18 years apart and the craniotomy was no worse.

I’ve had a very similar experience and feelings. It was very frightening, especially when I first diagnosed. The CT Reed said it could be malignant or benign. It was very scary. Two days. I finally had surgery this August. I’m almost 3 months out and doing OK. The surgeon told me I needed advert removed so I wouldn’t go blind, just make sure you get more than one opinion from neurosurgeons. I got 3. And make sure the surgeon does a lot of this type of surgery. Mine had done 250 this year of tumors in this exact spot.