Watching a Meningioma Brain Tumor

@mrector you have been so very helpful and I am very grateful for your responses. You have provided me with very important information.

@kmart I shaved my head the Saturday before my surgery on Tuesday. If you don't want your whole head shaved the dr will shave the area he needs after you are put to sleep. I was allowed to use pajamas the third day after surgery after I was moved into a regular room. I was allowed to walk and sit in a chair the third day after surgery. I handled the steroids well. I took them in the hospital and took them for a week after I got home from the hospital. My pain was more like a headache. The insision and surrounding areas are numb from where they cut, so that doesn't really hurt. I was given morphine while I was in ICU and don't remember a lot about that time. I didn't know I was on morphine until my mom told me. When I was moved to a regular room I took Loratab by mouth when needed. I took Tylenol when I got home from the hospital when needed. At my preop appointment I told them that I usually get sick from anesthesia so they gave me medicine through my iv to help with that and I didn't get sick at all. I also told them at preop all the medications that I have had a bad reaction to after surgery so they avoided giving me those. Tell them at your preop appointment anything you have had a reaction to after surgery and they should be able to avoid those. I had to go to Columbia, SC for surgery, which is about two hours from my house. I will have to go to Columbia for all my future checkup appointments. I hope this helps some. Keep me posted and I am praying for you!

Wow, you sure have been through a lot. Stay strong and proactive as you sound like someone that can conquer whatever challenge you are presented with. I do have questions that if you can answer I will greatly appreciate. 1. When do they shave the head? A day after surgery did they allow you to wear your own clothes? How quickly did they get you up after surgery? How did you handle the steroids? How long were you on steroids? Is it strictly pain in the incision area? How long did it take for the pain to subside? You mentioned that you were on morphine and don't remember a lot. I was given morphine when I had a total knee replacement and it made me very sick. Were you nauseated? If so, for how long? Thanks so much. Where did you have your surgery?

I wish we lived closer too I would love to have a group where we could meet and talk about the recovery and what to expect in the future. This is definitely a life changing experience

@kmart I am praying for you. I'm sorry for your loss of your daughter.
After surgery I was in ICU for 2 days. My left eye swelled shut after surgery and face was swollen. I was on morphine so I don't remember a lot. I don't remember being in pain. When I came home I took Tylenol for any pain I had. I was very weak so I stayed with my mom for a few days. I had no energy and slept a lot. After about 7 weeks after surgery I started feeling like me again. My energy level is still not great but I also have a bad back, so that doesn't help. My vision is getting worse in my left eye but my neurosurgeon said that would happen. I will have MRIs every 6 months for the rest of my life to monitor the remaining tumor and if it grows I will have radiation therapy. If you have any specific questions please ask and I will try to answer them. I'll post a picture of me almost 2 days after surgery so you can see. It looks worse than it felt

@mrector after meeting with Dr. Riemer he ordered another MRI to rule out the possibility of an aneurysm due to the impact of the ICA. I meet with his partner the day before surgery as both doctors will be involved during the surgery. Can you share with me what to expect after surgery, ie, while still in the hospital and then after going home. I hope you are continuing to heal and gaining strength. I think it would be helpful if we all lived close as to have group meetings to help each other through this. I lost my daughter 1.5 years ago to blood clots (she had pancreatic cancer).

I had a 3.3 cm acoustic neuroma removed Sept 10, 2018 at Mayo. I was scared but was told if I didn't have surgery I would be dead in 2 years. At 68 years old I wanted to try to survive surgery and possibly spend 10 or more years with my bubby of 43 years. I also have 4 adult kids and 10 grandkids. Im glad I had the surgery but am still in recovery. Im still hoping to improve balance enough to drive myself to appts. Hoping this is not my new normal but if it is I'm still happy to be alive.

Yes please stay in touch. I'll try to help as much as I can.

Thank you so much for your quick reply and yes, it really helped. Would like very much to stay in touch with you as I wonder down this path. k

@kmart I have the same tumor. I was losing vision in my left eye and my eye Dr thought it was glaucoma. I was treated for that but my vision kept getting worse. Finally I got an MRI of my brain and the tumor was discovered. The only option for me was surgery due to the tumor being wrapped around my carotid artery and optic nerve. I had surgery on August 28th 2018. The neurosurgeon could only get 85% of the tumor due to high risks of the coratid artery and optic nerve involvement. The surgery lasted 10 hours but went very well. Unfortunately my vision in left eye is worse and I am trying to get used to that being the new normal. My right eye is trying to take over but could take up to a year. I have double vision and dizziness but I try to take one day at a time. I am 45 years old and this is definitely something that was a shock to be diagnosed with but I am thankful it was discovered and I am still here. I will have MRIs to monitor the remaining tumor and hopefully only radiation if the tumor grows. I wish you the best and I will be praying for you. I hope this helps a little. I am here if you need to talk.