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What's your life like after Brain surgery?
Brain Tumor | Last Active: May 6, 2021 | Replies (53)Comment receiving replies
Hi Lisa,
My husband had a 3 cm meningioma removed in July. His surgery was performed in Los Angeles and was a 10 hour operation. They were not able to remove all of his tumor because part was attached to the brain stem. His meningioma was categorized as a type two which is fast growing. He suffered a small stroke along with some nerve damage resulting in paralysis in his throat and right side during the surgery. He was unable to swallow anything and was given a feeding tube. He also had to have extensive therapy to be able to walk and swallow again. In October we went to Mayo for radiation for the remainder of the tumor. Last week his feeding tube was removed and he can eat most foods. Most of his diet does consist of liquid nutrition drinks. His last MRI showed no growth in the tumor. He will continue to have MRIs every three months. Overall we have seen much improvement in the last eight months
Replies to "Hi Lisa, My husband had a 3 cm meningioma removed in July. His surgery was performed..."
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I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s struggles. What an awful ordeal. Based on what has been effected, was his a foreman magnum meningioma by any chance? It’s such a rare area for a meningioma and I’m not finding many testimonies or people to compare notes with.
I was diagnosed in Oct of 2017 but put off surgery until June of 2018 so I could have a chance to prepare if I was looking at an extended recovery. I had a craniotomy, but once they got in, it was deemed too dangerous to remove or even biopsy. The tumor was too incased in vital nerves...controlling breathing, swallowing and use of tongue. Had my surgeon tried, I would have suffered the same consequences as your husband. Reading this, I suppose I was lucky that I didn’t suffer any neurological damage from the attempt, but my incision site has since collapsed and my symptoms are getting worse and much harder to control.. The pressure is unbelievable. I also have an artery that is engaged with the growth combined with scar tissue my head feels like a constant pressure cooker. The left side of my head is always tingling and sensitive. The headaches are constant. I work as a singer/entertainer and have come close to blacking out during a performance more times than I can count.
I was scheduled for radiation but sought a 2nd opinion and this new team of doctors is saying that radiation could do more damage than good without a biopsy. One surgeon on this tumor board had a similar case and the tumor was completely removed through the patient’s nose.
I was told at the first facility that I was out of options and my tumor was now considered inoperable... but I’m now hopeful that there may be a less invasive approach to getting rid of this.
I’m thinking of seeking a 3rd opinion at the Mayo Clinic. It would require travel and could be an extreme hardship on my family so I really need to weigh my options carefully.
Has your experience been positive?
Sending good thoughts to you and your husband.