Julie: By "outside" of your brain I am assuming the tumor is in your meninges, which are the linings outside, covering, your brain. Then I think it would be a meningioma. If so, I had such a benign tumor removed ("resected" is the vernacular used by my neurosurgeon) and the craniotomy was not the nightmare I imagined. At any rate, try not to be too "scared to death." I am assuming your surgery is tomorrow, Wednesday. Best wishes on a speedy recovery. Feel free to send me a personal message if you need to vent.