So scared: Brain tumor on watch and wait has grown

Thank you everyone for the prayers. It has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. I had my appointment last Wednesday the 28th and was scheduled for a right temporal lobe resection on Friday December 30th. It has been one week since surgery. Thank you Lord that they were able to remove the tumor. I am still waiting/praying for my pathology reports and am praying for whatever it was that it was benign and will never come back. I had the best team in neurosurgery work on me and in such quick time. God literally answered all of our prayers. I am so thankful for everyone at Mayo. Being in the healthcare field myself I can tell you that this experience has forever shaped the way I will practice medicine. Nurses and doctors have so much power over their patients fears, I had no idea how much of a difference they can make until undergoing this experience. I think I am healing well. I have never had any surgery before so am still unsure as to what to expect. I can tell you that I woke up from surgery knowing who I am, and how my family is, which is what I prayed for. I am walking, talking, and eating.. all blessings. The pain has not been too bad although the right side of my head is numb and sore. We are just praying for continued healing and great results. Thank you everyone for the kind words. The Mayo clinic is such an amazing place and I am truly blessed to have gotten in as quickly as I did.

Heather,
Thank you for writing me. I actually had surgery last Friday the 30th.. Everything just happened so quick. I was in for an appointment Wednesday and scheduled for a right temporal lobe resection that Friday. Surgery was successful, as they were able to remove all of the tumor. Still waiting on pathology, and praying that it is benign and will never come back. I think I am healing okay. I have never had any surgery so I am not sure what to expect. I feel very weak and foggy and the right side of my head is numb, which feels weird. I am hopeful that these feelings go away. I am walking, talking, eating, and know who I am and who my God is so I am very blessed. How is your daughter doing? What type of tumor did she have? I am curious to know how long I will feel "weird." I think just the shock of everything that has happened so quickly and the anxieties that surround that is a big part of why I am feeling so different. I am sure the medications are not helping me. I stopped taking the narcotics and just take Tylenol but am still on anti seizure medications until tomorrow. I have never taken any medication before so that is weird for me. But again, all the glory to God for answering out prayers that this was operable and that Mayo was able to remove it so quickly. I had such a great team of doctors and nurses, they made all the difference in the world. Thank you again for writing me. I look forward to hearing from you =)

-Jessica Kenser

@jkenser Thanks so much for the update! I'm so glad that all went so well for you. Keep us posted as you continue to heal. At Mayo Connect, we care.

@jkesner I am keeping you in my prayers. So, so sorry you are dealing with such a difficult situation. Please know people care and you are not alone.

@jkesner: So happy for you that surgery went well. It will be 3 years March 10th 2017 that I will have had my brain surgery. It was a very scary time, an unsure time, But as is life. It went well. I had a 3.4 centimeter tumor on my left side brain stem causing Hydrocephalous. the Tumor itself was Begine. It has although grown in size since my surgery.I deal not with headaches, but with imbalance in my daily life. Some days I feel my head is floating..Some days it feels like there is a roaring waterfall inside my head...All after effects from surgery and loss of hearing on my left side. I thank The Good Lord each and every day for his Blessings in my life.. Could be much worse,,,

@rosesareredmylove2016 Thanks for sharing your story of surgery and recovery. Perhaps others in our group would be interested in learning more about the type of benign brain tumor you had, did the pathology report give it a specific name? Once again, thanks for sharing, I applaud the exceptionally positive attitude that you share! Blessings to you. Teresa

So glad all went well for you ! Keep us updated xo

Hello @hopeful33250:
Very nice to hear from you. My Tumor was a Scwannoma.Its a begine tumor.1 in 100.000 people get them.Its been a journey. It was non cancerous.Thank the LORD... Although I am left with no hearing in my left ear and imbalance issues. Every day is different. I am well and try to be positive each and every day...

@rosesareredmylove2016 Thanks for the additional information about the tumor. Getting these rare tumors can be quite a challenge, I know. I appreciate your sharing. Best wishes and keep in touch with Mayo Connect.

I was happy to hear that all is well. It is interesting to hear your tumor was a Scwannoma, as that is what they call acoustic neuromas. I had one done by Gamma Knife Radiation in 1997. The good news is that they do not grow back and usually shrink as we get older. I also was left with no hearing in my left ear and imbalance issues, but that is a small price to pay for what could have been. Sending you blessings and prayers.