So, 2 days of back to back surgeries now complete. Was discharged July 11. Surgery for embolization to reroute blood flow from tumor but still going sufficiently to my brain was Something Wild. I was told I would be lightly sedated to be able to respond to questions, and requests to move various parts of my body. Was told I wouldn't remember any of it after I "woke up". WRONG. I remember every single grueling detail, play by play, surgeons and nurses names, punctures into the femoral AND wrist arteries, tubes moving all the way from entrance points through my heart to my neck. I was EXHAUSTED. At that point, I really would have liked to stay in hospital overnight for next day surgery of tumor removal. But after a few hours of almost convulsing shivering and intermittent sweating I stabilized and was released. I was so miserable, and just plain SHOT, that I failed to adequately hydrate during that short window til early the next a.m. when I was restricted from any fluids intake before the tumor removal. First time I've ever had a Mayo phlebotomist have to poke me twice.
Tumor removal went PERFECTLY, per my surgeons. It was benign, it is gone, and it will not come back. I was in surgery for only 2 hours, but in Recovery for over 4, maybe 5 hrs. Doing pretty good now. Only using Extra strength Tylenol every 6 hrs. But am setting alarm to not delay dosages; i went 3 hrs over in the hospital and had to have an oxy. Want to avoid those; they scare me. Pain's staying between 3-4, which i can manage. My husband found a large dried blood spot on top of my head; for those of you still planning your tumor resection in your neck, they'll use a head holder attached by pinning it through your scalp to your skull, and you'll have washable marks across your forehead.
I'm not a fan of Watchful Waiting, unless it was back when I was having babies. The tumor is gone! Thank you @fas for your support!