Hi,
My sister had Gamma Knife at Mayo in Rochester for 3 small new tumors. She had had surgery 15 years ago for a 5cm meningioma on her frontal lobe. Also caused seizures. She will return to Mayo in April for another MRI. We live in Atlanta but she felt more confident to let the Neurosurgeons at Mayo make the critical decisions. Is that a possibility for you instead of more surgery? Best Wishes for you, Nancy

Nancy, thanks for your note. Unfortunately for a Gamma Knife treatment my tumor is too big... a surgery is needed. However, at this point I still have time to search for a good NS. I am looking at Rochester as well, it is the best Clinic for brain tumors, based on a statistic. I think I would fly around the world to find the right NS for me. My next MRI is due next month...needless to say I hope it didn't continue growing. My tumor is Grade 1...which is supposed to grow slowly.

Hi, I have been on watch and wait for many years. Diagnosed even younger than you. Dr. Oneil at Mayo explained at my initial workup that since the risk could be high for surgery in my location of left frontal lobe, and because I was not having damaging symptoms, that I may NEVER need surgery....not that I would HAVE to have it down the road, just depended on growth and symptoms that could happen. Many people have meningioma's and never even know they have them. I have become very comfortable with my watch and wait. With the rapid advances in less damaging and more precise techniques every year, I am GLAD I have had 12 or so years of avoiding such a tramatic surgery and know every year of research is a "gift" in my pocket IF IF IF I ever do need to have surgery. It is very scary when first diagnosed, but at least for me, watch and wait is not much different than going in for my routine health checkups...just part of my "new normal"-ha!

I needed your upbeat message. Thanks!!!