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Craniotomy is 2/21/2025. Could use some encouraging words.

Posted by mlew @mlew, Feb 16 12:16pm

My meningioma was an incidental find this past December. Details: an extra-axial mass in the midline to the left superior and posterior parasellar region measuring 15 x 14 x 11 mm. Still small but located in a tricky area. Was able to get in pretty quickly with Dr. Laligam Sekhar at Harborview Hospital, Seattle. He gave me the option: watch and wait or go ahead and remove it since it is so close to a nerve and artery. At the moment, it is just touching the basilar artery. Given my age, 57, and excellent health, he recommended removing it. I know that Dr. Sekhar is one of if not the best neurosurgeon for the job, but I'm still a nervous wreck and could use some pep talks, please and thanks!

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mlew | @mlew | Apr 9 7:19pm
In reply to @tbusker "I am holding you in my prayers today for a stable and clean scan. I pray..." + (show)
@tbusker

I am holding you in my prayers today for a stable and clean scan. I pray the double vision resolves it's self. I'm glad you are doing well. Brain surgery is not for the weak. It is tough. The first 2 weeks after mine, felt like a hangover from hell

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Scan went well today. The doc wants to repeat and see me again at the end of summer. Says that will be the baseline MRI. Depending how it looks, we will plan check up MRIs.
Re: my vision- he is confident that it is healing nicely, just needs more time.
Prayers very much appreciated!!

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tbusker | @tbusker | Apr 9 8:01pm
In reply to @mlew "Scan went well today. The doc wants to repeat and see me again at the end..." + (show)
@mlew

Scan went well today. The doc wants to repeat and see me again at the end of summer. Says that will be the baseline MRI. Depending how it looks, we will plan check up MRIs.
Re: my vision- he is confident that it is healing nicely, just needs more time.
Prayers very much appreciated!!

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Oh praise God that everything went well today!!!! Nothing more nerve wracking than that first MRI. I have mine at the end of April and I am still dealing with some post surgical healing stuff.

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Texastrails | @jnf | Apr 10 8:35am
In reply to @mlew "Mine was located at the base of my skull. Surgery took about six hours. My surgeon..." + (show)
@mlew

Mine was located at the base of my skull. Surgery took about six hours. My surgeon was very reassuring- when I asked, he told me that the surgery was not difficult, as he has done hundreds. I hope he never retires, but also hope I never need his surgical skills again!

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Can I ask who your surgeon was? Thank you!

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mlew | @mlew | Apr 10 9:25pm
In reply to @jnf "Can I ask who your surgeon was? Thank you!" + (show)
@jnf

Can I ask who your surgeon was? Thank you!

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Dr. Laligam Sekhar at Harborview Hospital in Seattle

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thomhorowitz | @thomhorowitz | Apr 12 5:26pm
In reply to @mlew "It went great! Well, as far as brain surgery goes... No thanks to a second one!..." + (show)
@mlew

It went great! Well, as far as brain surgery goes... No thanks to a second one! 😀
Dealing with double vision now, unfortunately. I have a six week MRI and post-op with my neurosurgeon tomorrow and a May 20 appointment with the ophthalmologist. My understanding is it could be a good three months before my vision gets back to normal. I keep reminding myself that it could be worse!

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I find an eye patch helpful, but the parrot on my shoulder makes a mess of the back of my coat

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thomhorowitz | @thomhorowitz | Apr 12 5:28pm

I just had my 1 year anniversary MRI and it is stable. But have tendinitis from the gadolinium.

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mkoch | @mkoch | Apr 13 6:41pm
In reply to @thomhorowitz "I just had my 1 year anniversary MRI and it is stable. But have tendinitis from..." + (show)
@thomhorowitz

I just had my 1 year anniversary MRI and it is stable. But have tendinitis from the gadolinium.

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I've never heard of gadolinium induced tendinitis. That is concerning given I'm supposed to have contrast with an MRI once a year; and because of back issues I've had even more than that this past year.

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thomhorowitz | @thomhorowitz | Apr 13 7:22pm

They are modifying the gadolinium with a chelation factor that makes it metabolize faster. Hopefully that will eliminate this issue.

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stormymn | @stormymn | 2 days ago
In reply to @amazingsw "Ok thanks for your response! I’m being told that a craniotomy is my only option. But..." + (show)
@amazingsw

Ok thanks for your response! I’m being told that a craniotomy is my only option. But I really don’t want to have that surgery, and wanted to know about other options. They say I have a 1cm meningioma pressing on my left optic nerve. I’m really trying to weigh my options. Surgery doesn’t guarantee that I’ll see any better, plus it’s a very serious surgery. Whereas right now besides blurred vision I’m fully functional. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make!!

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I had a craniotomy in ‘18 to remove a malignant Astrocytoma from my frontal cortex at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. My advice would be to get a second opinion from another World Class center like Cleveland Clinic or MD Anderson to learn about other options and alleviate your concerns. It is important to have confidence in your surgeon and their team. But remember two things. 1. While you correctly state that surgery is no guarantee, ask yourself and your team if the “No Surgery” option is riskier itself because either a) delay puts you at risk of further irreversible vision complications including blindness and b) delay increases your risks because of we are always increasing in age. 2. Remember you are already at a World Class center at Mayo and that should reassure you very much. As you say blurred vision is just a tolerable symptom. Remember there is still a meningioma causing it. Will it always be only 1cm? I hope this perspective is helpful, take care.

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