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Cerebellopontine Angle (CPA) Meningioma Surgery: Recovery tips?

Posted by Texastrails @jnf, Mar 25 11:38am

Hi--I'm scheduling my cpa meningioma retrosigmoid crainotomy for this summer, and I was wondering if any of you could share your recovery with me if you've had this type of tumor removed at this location. Also, if you have any tips or advice to make recovery easier, it would be much appreciated. Thank you so much!

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fiddlinchuck | @fiddlinchuck | Mar 30 9:35am

At age 67, I had a 13.5 hr craniotomy in 2018 to remove a 2-3 cm Grade 1 meningioma. It was closely associated with my optical nerve and cerebral artery. The surgery removed all but 10% of the tumor. While I was anxious about the surgery beforehand, it was not painful afterwards, I had Tylenol on only 1 occasion for pain management. I was in the hospital for 1 week, but I have had annual MRI’s to monitor the residual tumor left after surgery, as well as annual opthamologist exams. Fortunate for me, the residual has not grown since surgery. After the surgery, I entered physical, speech and occupational therapies, not because I felt I needed these treatments but more because that looks to be the prescribed post treatment for craniotomy patients. I proficiencied occupational therapy early on by demonstrating my continued ability to play mandolin and guitar. However, it took 3 more months to get discharged from physical and speech therapies. The most inconvenient part of the whole process for me was that, before the surgery, my doctors recommended that I not drive until after the surgery, and I complied. My license was not revoked or suspended, it was all on the honor system. I was fortunate to have my wife available to transport me to various appointments. My attending physical therapy physician recommended that I have an opthamologist exam and take my State’s written and practical driver’s license exams before to regain my driving privileges, just like a teenager getting their first license. I did take those exam 4 mos after surgery, passing with top scores, and resumed driving again. So, in summary, that was my experience. I’m sure it is different for others, and it may be different for you, too. However, I hope my information is helpful to you. Best wishes to you as you go forward.

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1 reply
Texastrails | @jnf | Mar 30 10:09am

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me!

REPLY
mkoch | @mkoch | Mar 31 7:29pm
In reply to @fiddlinchuck "At age 67, I had a 13.5 hr craniotomy in 2018 to remove a 2-3 cm..." + (show)
@fiddlinchuck

At age 67, I had a 13.5 hr craniotomy in 2018 to remove a 2-3 cm Grade 1 meningioma. It was closely associated with my optical nerve and cerebral artery. The surgery removed all but 10% of the tumor. While I was anxious about the surgery beforehand, it was not painful afterwards, I had Tylenol on only 1 occasion for pain management. I was in the hospital for 1 week, but I have had annual MRI’s to monitor the residual tumor left after surgery, as well as annual opthamologist exams. Fortunate for me, the residual has not grown since surgery. After the surgery, I entered physical, speech and occupational therapies, not because I felt I needed these treatments but more because that looks to be the prescribed post treatment for craniotomy patients. I proficiencied occupational therapy early on by demonstrating my continued ability to play mandolin and guitar. However, it took 3 more months to get discharged from physical and speech therapies. The most inconvenient part of the whole process for me was that, before the surgery, my doctors recommended that I not drive until after the surgery, and I complied. My license was not revoked or suspended, it was all on the honor system. I was fortunate to have my wife available to transport me to various appointments. My attending physical therapy physician recommended that I have an opthamologist exam and take my State’s written and practical driver’s license exams before to regain my driving privileges, just like a teenager getting their first license. I did take those exam 4 mos after surgery, passing with top scores, and resumed driving again. So, in summary, that was my experience. I’m sure it is different for others, and it may be different for you, too. However, I hope my information is helpful to you. Best wishes to you as you go forward.

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fiddlinchuck: That's quite an interesting anecdote. Thanks for sharing. I also had a 2 cm. meningioma removed near my optic nerve and experienced the same issue with pain, that being, taking tylenol a few times once I was sent home but that was it. Not a painful recovery. What I am amazed at is your 13 hour surgery. Everyone's meningioma location is very specific but my surgery was just shy of 4 hours. Yours is such an uplifting, success story that many will benefit from reading.

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