Meningioma pressing against the optic nerve

Posted by TLOsborne @tlosborne, Aug 9, 2021

My wife Marylou (59) has a tumor.
Diagnostic Studies:
A brain MRI from 07/23/2021, shows a very large left sphenoid wing meningioma, that encases the carotid artery, proximal anterior cerebral artery, and proximal middle cerebral artery. It is also encasing the optic apparatus and extending into the pre-mesencephalic space.
She is scheduled for a 2nd MRI today 8/9/21, followed by consolation with a neuro-surgeon in advance of surgery planned for 8/12/21.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain Tumor Support Group.

@tlosborne, welcome. I hope that the second MRI went well earlier this week. It can be so hard to stay still. @pegorr @pranas @amomand3girls @julieannarcand @lynzee @mrector and @mkjames are a few members who also have experience with a meningioma involving the optic nerve and can share their experiences.

While we wait for others to join the discussion, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Any Optic Nerve Meningioma Patients Who've Had Surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/optic-nerve-meningioma-patients/
- Gamma knife treatment in 2018 for meningioma around the optic area https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gamma-knife-treatment-in-2018-for-meningioma-around-the-optic-area/

Tlosborne, is gamma knife a treatment option for your wife? What questions do you have as you prepare for the consultation with the surgeon this week?

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I have the exact same tumor. I had surgery August 2018 to remove part of it. It started growing again and had my 2nd brain tumor surgery March 12, 2021. I just finished my radiation treatments of 6 weeks to hopefully stop it from growing anymore. I have my MRI scheduled for November 2021 to see how it responded.

You can contact me if you have any questions. I'm praying for you and your wife to get the answers and best treatment.

Sincerely,
Mandy Rector

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@mrector

I have the exact same tumor. I had surgery August 2018 to remove part of it. It started growing again and had my 2nd brain tumor surgery March 12, 2021. I just finished my radiation treatments of 6 weeks to hopefully stop it from growing anymore. I have my MRI scheduled for November 2021 to see how it responded.

You can contact me if you have any questions. I'm praying for you and your wife to get the answers and best treatment.

Sincerely,
Mandy Rector

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Mandy, thank you for responding to my tag and offering help to @tlosborne as he accompanies his wife through this new world of meningioma.

How did the surgery recovery go this time around? How are you doing today after radiation and everything?

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@colleenyoung

Mandy, thank you for responding to my tag and offering help to @tlosborne as he accompanies his wife through this new world of meningioma.

How did the surgery recovery go this time around? How are you doing today after radiation and everything?

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I'm here to help if I can. Everything went well. I just have fatigue because of the radiation but I am getting better. I am legally blind in my left eye now but I'm okay with that. The Dr's are just trying to do everything they can to keep the tumor from growing again, I just hope it works.

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@colleenyoung

@tlosborne, welcome. I hope that the second MRI went well earlier this week. It can be so hard to stay still. @pegorr @pranas @amomand3girls @julieannarcand @lynzee @mrector and @mkjames are a few members who also have experience with a meningioma involving the optic nerve and can share their experiences.

While we wait for others to join the discussion, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Any Optic Nerve Meningioma Patients Who've Had Surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/optic-nerve-meningioma-patients/
- Gamma knife treatment in 2018 for meningioma around the optic area https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gamma-knife-treatment-in-2018-for-meningioma-around-the-optic-area/

Tlosborne, is gamma knife a treatment option for your wife? What questions do you have as you prepare for the consultation with the surgeon this week?

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My wife Marylou is scheduled for surgery tomorrow 8/12/21 at 7:30am. The doctor does not have any hope that she will regain sight in her left eye and is concerned about inadvertently causing a stroke because of the arteries incased by the tumor. However God has the final say and we are praying for His grace.

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@tlosborne

My wife Marylou is scheduled for surgery tomorrow 8/12/21 at 7:30am. The doctor does not have any hope that she will regain sight in her left eye and is concerned about inadvertently causing a stroke because of the arteries incased by the tumor. However God has the final say and we are praying for His grace.

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Thinking of you and your wife. I'm sure you've had an exhausting day. I hope all went as well as can be hoped for. I look forward to getting your update when you can post again.

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@colleenyoung

Thinking of you and your wife. I'm sure you've had an exhausting day. I hope all went as well as can be hoped for. I look forward to getting your update when you can post again.

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Marylou is waking up and I should get to see her in a couple hours. The doctor said they removed as much tumor as they thought they safely could.

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@tlosborne

Marylou is waking up and I should get to see her in a couple hours. The doctor said they removed as much tumor as they thought they safely could.

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Wishing your strength and peace after such a long worrisome day. Give a hand squeeze to Marylou from the Mayo Clinic Connect community. We've been thinking of you both all day.

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@tlosborne

Marylou is waking up and I should get to see her in a couple hours. The doctor said they removed as much tumor as they thought they safely could.

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We don't know yet if there is cancer, as the biopsy results have not come back. Unfortunately they could only remove a small amount of tumor. Please continue praying.

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@tlosborne

We don't know yet if there is cancer, as the biopsy results have not come back. Unfortunately they could only remove a small amount of tumor. Please continue praying.

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Praying for good results on pathology report. I'm sorry they couldn't remove all of the tumor. They can't remove all of mine either. You both are in my prayers

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